Head of Trade Compliance

Draken; St. Ives; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension matching up to 12%

Bonus incentives

Discounted PMI

Electric car scheme

Tech vouchers

Wellbeing programmes

Job summary

Draken is seeking a Head of Trade Compliance to establish and lead a global trade compliance program, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements across UK, EU and US markets. You will drive policy creation, risk assessments and strategic advisory to senior leadership.

Responsibilities include leading licensing strategies, audits, and investigations while embedding compliance into business processes and partnering with regulatory authorities as needed.

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience in trade compliance or international trade.
• Proven ability to design and implement enterprise‑level compliance frameworks.
• Strong knowledge of UK, EU and US trade regulations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own Draken’s global trade compliance strategy and governance.
• Ensure compliance with export controls, customs, sanctions and embargo regimes.
• Lead internal audits, investigations and corrective actions.
• Interface with regulators during audits or disclosures.
• Embed compliance into key business processes across functions.
• Lead and mentor the UK trade compliance team.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Pragmatic mindset

Interpret regulations

Integrity

Education

Degree in Law, International Trade, Supply Chain or related field

UK Export Control qualifications

Customs/trade compliance certifications (ACSS, CIPS, ICC)

Job description

Hours: Full-time 37 hours | Permanent

Location: Hurn, Dorset

Draken believes in fair reward and recognition for our employees. As such, we offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including up to 12% matching pension contributions, bonus incentives, discounted PMI, electric car scheme, tech vouchers, wellbeing programmes and much more.

Role Overview

The Head of Trade Compliance is responsible for establishing, leading, and continuously improving the organisation’s global trade compliance framework. This role ensures full compliance with applicable import, export, customs, sanctions, embargoes, and trade control regulations, while enabling the business to operate efficiently and competitively across international markets. The role acts as the key subject matter expert and strategic advisor to senior leadership on trade compliance risk, regulatory change, and operational integration.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Governance

• 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

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with UK, EU, US and international regulations, including export controls, customs, sanctions and embargo regimes (e.g. UK Export Control Order, EU Dual‑Use, EAR, ITAR, OFSI, OFAC)
• Monitor regulatory changes, assess business impact and implement required actions
• Lead licensing strategies and ensure effective control and utilisation

Risk, Assurance & External Engagement

• 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

Business Integration

• Embed trade compliance into key business processes, including:
• Business development and sales
• Supply chain and logistics
• Engineering, product classification and development
• M&A activity and new market entry
• Provide practical, risk‑based advice to support commercial decision‑making

Leadership & Capability

• 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

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Significant experience (typically 10+ years) in trade compliance, export controls, customs or international trade, with leadership responsibility
• Demonstrated 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

Skills & Competencies

• 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

Education & Professional Certifications (Preferred)

• Degree in Law, International Trade, Supply Chain, Business, or related field
• Professional certifications such as:
• UK Export Control qualifications
• Customs or trade compliance certifications (e.g. ACSS, CIPS, ICC)
• Ongoing professional development in international trade regulation

Key Measures of Success

• Effective management and reduction of trade compliance risk
• Positive outcomes from audits and regulatory engagements
• Integration of compliance into business processes without unnecessary disruption
• Capability, engagement, and performance of the trade compliance team
• Strong compliance culture across the organisation

Why Join Draken Europe?

At Draken, you’ll be part of a team making a real impact on mission critical operations. You’ll have opportunities to develop your technical skills, support meaningful projects, and contribute to the digital transformation of a unique and exciting organisation.

Our Employee Values

Draken is committed to eliminating unlawful and unfair discrimination and we celebrate the differences that a diverse workforce brings. A range of perspective and talent supports our values and drives our success, with a mix of voices generating better discussions, business decisions and outcomes for all. At all our sites internationally, every member of the Draken team is accountable to ensure that we are all treated fairly and with respect. We are also an Armed Forces friendly organisation, and as part of our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, welcome applications from veterans and services spouses and partners who met the criteria in our job specifications. In line with our Disability Confident Commitments, we provide reasonable adjustments to facilitate our interview process, please liaise with us if any reasonable adjustments are required.