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Open Positions
Director of Trade Compliance – North America
(United States, Canada & Mexico)
Legal and Compliance is please to be working with a global manufacturer of highly engineered, technology-rich components and systems for leading OEMs in the aerospace & defense, land vehicle, and power & energy markets, recruiting for a Director of Trade Compliance.
Operating through 26 businesses across 12 countries, the company is organized into two divisions—Aerospace and Flexonics—and is known for its decentralized, entrepreneurial culture rooted in accountability, operational excellence, and strong governance.
The Opportunity
The organization is looking for a Director of Trade Compliance – North America to provide strategic, operational, and legal leadership across all U.S., Canadian, and Mexican operations. This is a senior leadership role with enterprise-wide responsibility for export, import, customs, and trade compliance programs, supporting both commercial and defense-related activities.
Critically, this role serves as the company’s Empowered Official (EO) under U.S. export control law (ITAR), holding legal authority for export authorizations and certifications related to defense and aerospace programs. The position partners closely with executive leadership, operating businesses, and global stakeholders to enable compliant, sustainable growth.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic & Executive Leadership
Lead the North American Trade Compliance program aligned with global governance and risk frameworks
Advise executive leadership and brief the Board as required on compliance performance, risks, and remediation
Serve as the regional subject matter expert on international trade and regulatory compliance
Empowered Official (ITAR)
Act as the designated Empowered Official under 22 CFR §120.25
Hold signing and certification authority for U.S. export licenses, TAAs, MLAs, and related authorizations
Exercise independent legal judgment to approve or deny export and re-export transactions
Serve as primary liaison with DDTC, BIS, OFAC, and other U.S. government agencies
Export, Import & Customs Compliance
Ensure compliance with:
U.S.: ITAR, EAR, OFAC, CBP
Canada:CGP, CBSA, Export Control List
Mexico: SAT, VUCEM
Oversee licensing, classification, valuation, documentation, and record-keeping
Deliver training and compliance awareness across all levels of the organization
Trade Agreements & Optimization
Lead compliance and optimization under CUSMA / USMCA / T-MEC
Direct HS classification, valuation, broker oversight, and duty recovery initiatives
Advise supply chain and procurement on landed cost, tariff engineering, and trade strategy
Auditing, Risk & Governance
Conduct compliance audits across all North American sites
Develop standardized audit tools, metrics, and corrective action tracking
Support internal audit alignment, voluntary disclosures, and regulatory remediation
Lead trade compliance due diligence for M&A and business integrations
Team Leadership & Program Development
Lead and mentor trade compliance professionals across the region
Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and internal controls
Implement automation and digital tools for licensing, audits, and analytics
Monitor regulatory changes and ensure timely implementation
Qualifications & Experience
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Law, Supply Chain, or International Trade
10+ years of progressive trade compliance leadership across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico
Recognized Empowered Official (EO) under ITAR with defense/aerospace experience
Deep expertise in ITAR, EAR, OFAC, CBSA, SAT, and CUSMA/USMCA/T-MEC
Proven experience auditing trade compliance programs and leading corrective actions
Multi-industry background (e.g., aerospace, defense, automotive, oil & gas, medical devices)
Experience with ACE (U.S.), CARM (Canada), and VUCEM (Mexico)
Bilingual English/Spanish preferred
Core Competencies
Strategic and credible executive communicator
Decisive, ethical leader with strong regulatory judgment
Highly analytical and detail-oriented
Collaborative, cross-cultural leadership style
Adaptable and resilient in complex regulatory environments
Location & Travel
Location: Remote, hybrid, or on-site (flexible)
Travel: Approximately 15–25% across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and occasional global travel
Salary range guidance - $160-220k dependent upon experience. Discretionary bonus.
A wide array of benefits including medical, dental and 401k.