Defense Trade Solutions Manager

Defense Trade Solutions, LLC; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 137,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

9/80 Schedule

3 weeks PTO

10 Holidays

Sick Leave

Holiday Shutdown

Wellness stipend $100 quarterly

WFH setup stipend $100 monthly

401k with company match

Job summary

Defense Trade Solutions, LLC is seeking a Solutions Manager to own customer relationships, guide delivery teams, and grow accounts across complex defense trade engagements. You will serve as the primary owner for a set of customers, lead reviews, and mentor direct reports in a fast-paced environment.

Ideal candidates bring 10+ years in export controls or defense consulting, deep ITAR/EAR knowledge, and proven ability to engage C‑suite and USG stakeholders while maintaining confidential

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in export controls, trade compliance, aerospace and defense consulting, or related disciplines.
• Strong working knowledge of ITAR and EAR with ability to translate complex scenarios into licensing strategy.
• Proven project management and communication skills, executive presence, and comfort leading decisions with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Own a customer portfolio and maintain executive-level relationships.
• Lead recurring customer meetings (monthly status reviews, quarterly business reviews).
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to deliver compliant, timely results.

Skills

Customer relationships

Delivery leadership

Export controls

ITAR

EAR

Executive communication

Project management

Stakeholder management

Job description

Are you interested in building a safer world through international trade? Are you energized by leading teams and portfolios that make international trade safer and simpler? Defense Trade Solutions (DTS) is hiring a Solutions Manager to own customer relationships, guide delivery teams, and grow accounts across complex, fast‑moving defense trade engagements. You will serve as the primary owner for a set of customers, lead recurring business reviews, coordinate cross‑functional experts, and mentor direct reports while advancing compliant market access aligned with U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives.

Our Mission:

• To safeguard U.S. and allied military advantage with responsible, simplified defense trade and export control through a holistic, mission-driven approach.

Who You Are:

• Embody our values of Integrity, Passion, Simplicity, Trust, Curiosity, and Stewardship to our team, our customers, and our business.
• A professional with a strong interest in foreign policy and national security.
• A self-starter who thrives in an environment that rewards ambition.
• An entrepreneur who wants to be involved in building a premier professional services firm.
• A positive person with a “Yes, if” attitude who is always on the hunt for solutions to problems.
• A reliable team player who is willing to lend a hand to teammates at a moment’s notice.
• Invested in "Work-Life Harmony" through success and fulfillment within both your career and personal life.
• Hungry for the fast pace of a start‑up environment with the stability and infrastructure of an established business.
• Ability to acquire an Active DoD Secret Security Clearance.

What You Bring to DTS:

• 10+ years of experience in export controls, trade compliance, aerospace and defense consulting, or related disciplines with direct experience managing customers and teams.
• Strong working knowledge of International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR), with the ability to translate complex business scenarios into actionable export licensing strategy.
• Proven project management and communication skills, executive presence, and comfort leading decisions with senior customer stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced setting and uphold confidential obligations.
• Intermediate to Advanced-level understanding of Foreign Military Sales (FMS) from Pre‑Letter of Request (LOR) to Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) Signature, and/or security cooperation efforts
• Advanced-level understanding of export licensing, including ITAR agreements, exemptions and EAR exceptions, and the ability to lead associated export authorization strategies to accomplish customer goals.
• Prior experience building and managing global trade compliance programs, including policies and procedure development from scratch at a small or mid‑sized aerospace or defense firm.
• Prior experience with global trade compliance strategy for products in various phases of development, including engineering design, prototype, testing and evaluation, final assembly, production, and maintenance/sustainment.
• Ability to own a customer portfolio and maintain strong executive‑level relationships, ensuring delivery quality, schedule adherence, and measurable outcomes.
• Ability to lead recurring customer meetings including monthly status reviews and quarterly business reviews, set agendas and decisions, and drive action tracking.
• Ability to serve as the escalation point for complex licensing deliverables and USG engagement within Dept of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) and Dept. of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry & Security (BIS).
• Ability to manage and mentor direct reports, coach Specialists, Senior Specialists, and Principal Specialists and enforce DTS communication and delivery standards.
• Ability to coordinate cross‑functional support across, logistics & customs, compliance, FMS and Technology Release & Foreign Disclosure planning, translating technical analysis into clear guidance and next steps for customers.
• Experience with resource planning, project management, and client portfolio growth efforts
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional ability to engage C‑Suite executives and senior U.S. Government officials.
• Creative, resourceful, and energized by cross‑functional collaboration.
• Excellent time management skills, attention to detail, and ability to handle confidential information.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% of the time.

Compensation:

• Salary: $137,000 - $185,000 commensurate with experience.
• Bonus: Discretionary performance bonus paid as a percentage of the revenue from the Solutions Manager’s assigned customer portfolio; actual payouts vary by portfolio performance and may exceed 20% of base salary.The bonus is tied to the achievement of company goals as well as individual performance.
• Benefits: Major Benefits: Medical, Vision, Dental; 9/80 Schedule, 3 weeks accrued PTO, 10 Holidays, Accrued Sick Leave, Holiday Shutdown, $100 Quarterly Stipend for Wellness, $100 Monthly Stipend for WFH Setup, 401k with company match.