Head of Trade Compliance

Make an impact across a specialist defence and aerospace environment while developing your career in global trade compliance. This is a senior opportunity to shape compliance strategy, strengthen governance and support international operations in a highly regulated industry.
What you will need

• British nationality is required for this role.
• Significant senior-level experience in trade compliance, export controls, customs or international trade within a multinational or highly regulated environment.
• Strong working knowledge of UK, European Union and United States trade regulations and controls.
• Proven experience designing and implementing enterprise-level compliance frameworks.
• Experience engaging with regulatory authorities and leading audits, investigations or regulatory disclosures.

Salary and rewards
Up to £100,000, with the opportunity to develop your career within a specialist defence and aerospace organisation.
Your role

• Develop and lead a global trade compliance strategy aligned with business objectives and regulatory requirements.
• Establish effective policies, standards and governance frameworks across international operations.
• Act as the senior subject matter expert on complex trade compliance risks, regulatory change and operational requirements.
• Oversee licensing strategies and ensure appropriate controls across import, export, customs, sanctions and trade controls.
• Identify and reduce compliance risks through audits, reviews, investigations and corrective actions.
• Embed practical, risk-based compliance advice into commercial activity, supply chain, engineering, product development and international growth.

Your experience

• Strategic leadership experience with strong commercial awareness and the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Expertise in interpreting complex trade regulations and translating them into clear operational guidance.
• Strong analytical and risk-based decision-making skills with sound professional judgement.
• Experience leading and developing specialist compliance teams and building organisational capability.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work effectively across technical, commercial and operational functions.
• A degree or relevant professional qualification in law, international trade, supply chain, business or a related discipline would be advantageous.

Benefits and balanceT
The employer supports you through a comprehensive benefits package including pension support, performance-related incentives, private healthcare options, electric vehicle benefits, technology discounts and wellbeing initiatives.

Why consider this opportunity
You will join a specialist organisation operating at the intersection of defence, aerospace and advanced technical operations. The work offers genuine scope to influence international trade compliance at a strategic level while supporting a highly regulated business with meaningful operational impact. You will also have opportunities to develop your technical expertise, lead specialist teams and contribute to the continued evolution of a complex global compliance environment.

Where you will be based
Bournemouth, Dorset, with a hybrid working pattern. This is a full-time, permanent position.
Equal opportunities
The employer is committed to equal opportunities and values diversity in the workplace.

Share your profile to arrange a short confidential call this week.

Due to the nature of work at our client’s site, these vacancies are only open to British Citizens.

This is a permanent role.

Electus Recruitment Solutions provides specialist engineering and technical recruitment solutions to high-technology industries. Thank you for your interest. If you do not hear from us within seven working days, please presume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. You may resubmit your CV or details in the future, and we shall assess your suitability then.
You will be represented by a specialist technical recruiter who will guide you through each stage of the process.