Director of Global Trade Compliance

Draken Europe; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12% matching pension

Bonus incentives

Discounted PMI

Electric car scheme

Tech vouchers

Wellbeing programmes

Job summary

Draken Europe is seeking a Head of Trade Compliance to establish and lead a global trade compliance program. You will shape risk-based policies, oversee licensing, and advise senior leadership on regulatory change across UK, EU and US markets.

You will build and mentor a UK-based team, embed compliance into business processes, and partner with audits and regulatory authorities to ensure robust, scalable governance.

Qualifications

• Significant experience (10+ years) in trade compliance with leadership responsibility.
• Experience managing trade compliance in a multinational or highly regulated environment.
• Strong working knowledge of UK, EU, and US trade regulations; global experience highly advantageous.
• Proven ability to design and implement enterprise-level compliance frameworks.
• Experience dealing with regulatory authorities and managing audits or disclosures.
• Strategic leadership with strong commercial awareness.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills at senior levels.
• Strong analytical and risk-based decision-making capability.
• Pragmatic, solutions-oriented mindset with attention to detail.
• Ability to interpret complex regulations and translate them into clear operational guidance.
• High integrity and sound professional judgement.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own Draken’s global trade compliance strategy, aligned to business objectives and regulatory requirements
• Establish and maintain trade compliance policies, standards and governance frameworks across all regions
• Act as the senior escalation point for complex or high-risk trade compliance matters
• Provide insight, reporting and assurance to senior leadership, Audit Committee and Board as required
• Lead licensing strategies and ensure effective control and utilisation
• Identify, assess and mitigate trade compliance risks across the business
• Lead internal audits, reviews and gap analyses
• Oversee investigations into potential breaches and lead corrective actions
• Act as the primary interface with regulatory authorities during audits or disclosures
• Embed trade compliance into key business processes, including: Business development and sales, Supply chain and logistics, Engineering, product classification and development
• Provide practical, risk-based advice to support commercial decision-making
• Lead, develop and mentor the UK trade compliance team
• Define team structure, resourcing and capability needs
• Design and deliver impactful trade compliance training across the organisation
• Champion a strong culture of compliance, accountability and ethical conduct

Skills

Trade compliance leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder management

Risk assessment

Audits & investigations

Strategic thinking

Interpreting regulations

Commercial awareness

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Degree in Law / International Trade / Supply Chain

Professional certifications (ACSS, CIPS, ICC)

Job description

Draken Europe is seeking a Head of Trade Compliance to establish and lead a global trade compliance program. You will shape risk-based policies, oversee licensing, and advise senior leadership on regulatory change across UK, EU and US markets.

You will build and mentor a UK-based team, embed compliance into business processes, and partner with audits and regulatory authorities to ensure robust, scalable governance.