Senior Manager, Trade Operations & Compliance

ModernaTX; Oxford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biotechnology company in Oxford is seeking a Senior Manager of Global Trade Compliance. The role requires expertise in customs and trade regulations across the EMEA region, overseeing compliance operations, and driving digital innovation in trade processes. With a strong focus on collaboration with various departments, this position offers an opportunity to significantly impact global health initiatives while working in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Quality healthcare and insurance benefits

Lifestyle Spending Accounts

Free premium access to fitness classes

Family planning and adoption benefits

Generous paid time off and sabbaticals

Location-specific perks

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of work experience including at least 6 years in a compliance, legal, auditing or investigation role in life sciences.
• Strong expertise in operational trade execution and project management.
• Solid knowledge of EU Union Customs Code and local customs laws across EMEA.

Responsibilities

• Act as a regional subject matter expert for customs and trade regulations across EMEA.
• Ensure that day-to-day trade operations meet compliance obligations.
• Drive digital transformation within the trade compliance ecosystem.

Skills

Employee Evaluation

Continuous Improvement

FDA Regulations

Management Experience

Process Improvement

Profit & Loss

Operations Management

Project Management

Strategic Planning

Leadership Experience

P&L Management

Supervising Experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

SAP GTS

MIC

Descartes

Job description

The Role

Joining Moderna offers the unique opportunity to be part of a pioneering team that's revolutionizing medicine through mRNA technology with a diverse pipeline of development programs across various diseases.

As an employee you’ll be part of a continually growing organization working alongside exceptional colleagues and strategic partners worldwide contributing to global health initiatives.

Moderna’s commitment to advancing the technological frontier of mRNA medicines ensures a challenging and rewarding career experience with the potential to make a significant impact on patients lives worldwide.

As Senior Manager of Global Trade Compliance for the EMEA region you will serve as a pivotal expert and leader within Moderna’s growing Global Trade & Operations function. Your mission will be to ensure that our import and export activities are conducted compliantly efficiently and in alignment with both business needs and evolving regulatory landscapes. Operating as a senior individual contributor you’ll partner across functions and countries to harmonize trade operations with Moderna’s global standards while ensuring agility and scalability. This role represents a strategic opportunity to embed digital innovation into trade compliance leveraging automation and standardization to future-proof the function. With close engagement across Legal Finance Supply Chain and beyond you’ll bring clarity control and competitiveness to every border Moderna crosses.

Heres What Youll Do

Your key responsibilities will be :

• Acting as a regional subject matter expert for customs and trade regulations across EMEA aligning local execution with Moderna’s global trade strategy.
• Ensuring that day-to-day trade operations (imports exports classification documentation) across the EMEA region meet both compliance obligations and business timelines.
• Leading the design and implementation of core trade compliance programs covering classification, valuation, licensing, country of origin and recordkeeping.
• Driving digital transformation within the trade compliance ecosystem including the rollout and optimization of tools like SAP GTS MIC and Descartes.

Your responsibilities will also include :

• Monitoring and interpreting regulatory changes across EMEA to ensure proactive compliance readiness and execution.
• Collaborating cross-functionally with Legal, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, Tax and Logistics to embed compliance into core business workflows.
• Identifying and leading cost optimization opportunities including special customs regimes, bonded warehousing and duty relief strategies.
• Managing and responding to external audits, customs investigations and acting as Moderna’s interface with regional authorities.
• Leading training and capability-building initiatives across the regional compliance network.
• Defining tracking and reporting on compliance metrics, broker performance and operational KPIs to ensure excellence and accountability.
• Performing other related duties as assigned to support the global trade program.

The key Moderna Mindsets youll need to succeed in the role :

We digitize everywhere possible using the power of code to maximize our impact on patients.

In this role your success will depend on your ability to lead and optimize digital compliance tools. You’ll bring vision and executional strength to automate and modernize trade processes using cutting‑edge platforms and data systems.

We behave like owners. The solutions we build go beyond any job description.

You will be the senior point of contact for trade compliance across the entire EMEA region taking full ownership of Moderna's regional regulatory posture and acting as the architect of scalable compliant and resilient trade solutions.

Heres What Youll Need ( Basic Qualifications)

Minimum of 10 years of work experience including at least 6 years in a compliance, legal, auditing or investigation role in life sciences preferably in biotechnology, medical device and/or pharmaceutical industries.

Heres What Youll Bring to the Table (Preferred Qualifications)

Bachelor's degree in a related field (Business, Economics, Finance, Supply Chain Management, International Business) or equivalent experience.

Strong expertise in both operational trade execution and project management within complex international environments.

Solid knowledge of EU Union Customs Code and local customs laws across EMEA including experience in import / export operations, dual‑use regulations, classification, valuation, origin and free trade agreements.

Proven experience managing customs brokers, freight forwarders and 3PLs as well as interactions with regulatory bodies across multiple jurisdictions.

Demonstrated leadership in implementing digital trade compliance tools (e.g. SAP GTS, MIC, Descartes or similar systems).

Strong communication, problem‑solving and analytical skills with the ability to influence across levels and geographies.

Experience working in a fast‑paced environment.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Strong critical thinking, sound judgment and decision‑making skills.

Passion for your work and a curious mindset that challenges the status quo.

Self‑directed, proactive, motivated and a fast learner.

Ability to work independently.

Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Communicate effectively in English spoken and written.

A desire to make an impact as part of a high‑growth transformational company that is Bold, Relentless, Curious and Collaborative.

At Moderna we believe that when you feel your best you can do your best work. That’s why our global benefits and well‑being resources are designed to support you at work, at home and everywhere in between.

• Quality healthcare and insurance benefits
• Lifestyle Spending Accounts to create your own pathway to well‑being
• Free premium access to fitness, nutrition and mindfulness classes
• Family planning and adoption benefits
• Generous paid time off including vacation, bank holidays, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days and a discretionary year‑end shutdown
• Savings and investments
• Location‑specific perks and extras!

The benefits offered may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Moderna and the country where you work.

About Moderna

Since our founding in 2010 we have aspired to build the leading mRNA technology platform – the infrastructure to reimagine how medicines are created and delivered and a world‑class team. We believe in giving our people a platform to change medicine and an opportunity to change the world.

By living our mission values and mindsets every day our people are the driving force behind our scientific progress and our we are creating a culture of belonging and building an organization that cares deeply for our patients, our employees, the environment and our communities.

We are proud to have been recognized as a Science Magazine Top Biopharma Employer, a Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators and a Great Place to Work in the U.S.

As we build our company we have always believed an in‑person culture is critical to our success. Moderna champions the significant benefits of in‑office collaboration by embracing a 70/30 work model. This 70% in‑office structure helps to foster a culture rich in innovation, teamwork and direct mentorship. Join us in shaping a world where every interaction is an opportunity to learn, contribute and make a meaningful impact.

If you want to make a difference and join a team that is changing the future of medicine we invite you to visit to learn more about our current opportunities.

Moderna is a smoke‑free, alcohol‑free and drug‑free work environment.

Moderna is a place where everyone can grow. If you meet the Basic Qualifications for the role and you would be excited to contribute to our mission every day please apply!

Moderna is committed to equal opportunity in employment and non‑discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry or citizenship, ethnicity, disability, military or protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital or familial status or any other personal characteristic protected under applicable law. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories consistent with legal requirements.

We’re focused on attracting, retaining, developing and advancing our employees. By cultivating a workplace that values diverse experiences, backgrounds and ideas we create an environment where every employee can contribute their best.

Moderna is committed to offering reasonable accommodation or adjustments to qualified job applicants with disabilities. Any applicant requiring an accommodation or adjustment in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should contact the Accommodations and Adjustments team at …

Required Experience

Senior Manager

Key Skills

Employee Evaluation, Continuous Improvement, FDA Regulations, Management Experience, Process Improvement, Profit & Loss, Operations Management, Project Management, Strategic Planning, Leadership Experience, P&L Management, Supervising Experience

Employment Type: Full-Time

Experience: years

Vacancy: 1