Head of Global Trade

BAE Systems; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in the UK is seeking a Head of Global Trade to manage the Global Trade function while ensuring governance and optimal service delivery. The role requires experience in global trade activities and change management, with responsibilities including team management and strategic development. A competitive salary and benefits package are offered, along with a commitment to inclusive culture.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Awareness of Global Trade activities and practices.
• Experience of change management in global trade or finance.
• Proven ability to lead, set strategy, and drive governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Global Trade function and ensure governance.
• Implement process changes and support technology solutions.
• Manage 4 direct reports and workload alignment.

Skills

Global Trade awareness

Change management

Leadership

Governance

Project management

Job description

Job Title: Head of Global Trade

Location: Frimley, Preston or Samlesbury. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements - please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Salary: Circa £100,000 plus executive benefits

What you'll be doing:

Playing a key role in the leading the Global Trade function
Ensuring the appropriate governance is in place for the function
Leading the analysis of the current structure and implement process changes were applicable and feed analysis in the design of the technology solution
Deliver value protection and indirect tax savings
Working with businesses to ensure that service delivery is not impacted during any team structural changes new and the implementation of new tech and customs regimes
Set-up direct line manager routes with operational global trade team leads
Having a continuous improvement mindset to global trade operations and operational processes
Managing 4 direct reports, ensuring that the operational teams can meet the business requirements placed on them
Planning and managing workload (alignment with business goals and objectives) and deliver on agreed timelines
Managing external provider relationships to ensure optimal service delivery
Supporting the Senior Accounting Officer certification for UK Global Trade activity
Proactively monitor the external environment for regulatory changes and interpret and communicate implications for BAE Systems

Your skills and experiences:

Awareness of Global Trade activities and practices
Experience of change management (global trade, tax or finance change programmes)
Evidence of ability to lead and set the strategy and focus of the team
Evidence of ability to drive governance structure and mindset
Experience of project management would be an advantage

Benefits:

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts - you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The team:

BAE Systems has a significant import and export operation spread across its enterprise. These imports and exports ensure supply chains, production and operational requirements are met. It is crucial that BAES can move goods around efficiently and cost effectively.

As the Head of Global Trade in this fantastic opportunity, you will build a central Global Trade function, contributing significantly to the development and execution of the Global Trade operations across the BAE Systems enterprise.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you'll be able to make a real difference. You'll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you'll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 10th September 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.