Head of Export Controls

Burgess Paluch Legal Recruitment; Canberra; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Burgess Paluch Legal Recruitment seeks a senior lawyer or export controls professional to lead our client’s export controls and trade compliance function in Canberra. You will act as the principal internal adviser on export controls, sanctions and related compliance, guiding policy and governance across bids, programs, design, production, and international transfers.

You will manage licensing, provide pragmatic regulatory advice to senior leadership, and mentor a small team while engaging with

Qualifications

• Significant experience in export controls, trade compliance and related regulatory environments.
• Strong knowledge of export control regimes (Australia, US, EU) and government processes.
• Experience leading a small professional team and advising senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the export controls and trade compliance function, including policies and governance.
• Advise senior leadership on regulatory obligations, risks and emerging requirements.
• Oversee export licence applications, approvals and ongoing management.
• Develop and implement export control policies and internal controls.
• Liaise with government agencies and overseas regulators.

Skills

Export controls expertise

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Education

Law degree (LLB/JD)

Job description

Lead the export controls and trade compliance function for a software and systems integration business operating in a complex, regulated environment.

• Senior export controls leadership role
• Broad responsibility across export controls, sanctions and trade compliance
• Canberra based

Reporting directly to a senior executive, you will lead a critical compliance function and provide specialist advice on regulatory requirements affecting international business activities, controlled technology and information, and cross-border transactions across the Australian business.

Working with senior leaders and business stakeholders, you will support the lawful movement of goods, software, technology and technical information throughout the project lifecycle.

The Role

This is a senior and highly autonomous position with responsibility for the organisation's export controls framework. You will be the principal internal adviser on export controls, sanctions and related trade compliance matters, leading a small team and working across the organisation from bids and program development through to design, production, sustainment and international transfer.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading the export controls and trade compliance function, including policies, procedures and governance.
• Acting as the subject matter expert on export controls, sanctions and related trade compliance requirements.
• Advising senior leadership and business teams on regulatory obligations, risks and emerging requirements.
• Developing, implementing and reviewing export control policies, procedures and internal controls.
• Overseeing export licence applications, approvals, conditions and ongoing licence management.
• Advising on Australian, US, European and other applicable international export control and sanctions regimes.
• Leading internal reviews, investigations and remediation activities relating to export control compliance.
• Liaising with Australian Government agencies, overseas regulators and relevant external parties.
• Advising business development, capture and program teams on export control requirements for prospective and existing activities.
• Ensuring export control considerations are embedded throughout bids, projects, production, sustainment and international transfers.
• Developing and delivering export controls training and awareness activities.
• Managing, mentoring and developing a small specialist team.
• Monitoring regulatory developments and assessing their impact on the organisation.
• Maintaining effective relationships across legal, commercial, engineering, project and operational functions.
• Promoting a practical and effective approach to compliance.

About You

You will be an experienced senior lawyer or export controls professional with strong technical knowledge and the ability to operate effectively with senior stakeholders. Ideally, you will have:

• Significant experience in export controls, trade compliance, legal, contract management or a related compliance environment.
• Strong knowledge of export control requirements, compliance frameworks and associated processes.
• Working knowledge of Australian, US and other international export control regimes and government processes.
• Experience advising on complex regulatory matters within a commercial or highly regulated organisation.
• Experience leading, managing and developing a small professional team.
• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to apply regulatory requirements pragmatically.
• Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation and influencing skills.
• The ability to assess complex issues, exercise sound judgement and provide clear, practical advice.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• A pragmatic approach and the ability to explain complex regulatory issues clearly.
• High personal integrity, professionalism and ethical standards.

Experience within the aerospace, defence, software, advanced technology or other highly regulated sectors will be highly regarded as will legal qualifications and experience.

You will also need to be an Australian citizen or otherwise meet the relevant eligibility criteria, and be able to obtain and maintain an Australian security clearance to at least NV1 level.

The Benefits

This is an opportunity to take ownership of an important specialist function and work closely with senior decision makers across the organisation.

The role offers:

• Senior responsibility for the organisation's export controls and trade compliance framework.
• Exposure to complex Australian and international regulatory matters.
• Direct engagement with senior leaders, government and industry stakeholders.
• The opportunity to develop and improve policies, processes and governance.
• Involvement across a range of projects and international activities.

The successful candidate will play a significant role in managing regulatory risk and supporting the organisation's ability to conduct its activities in compliance with applicable export control and trade requirements.