Director, Trade Services

FTI Consulting, Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 91,000 - 278,000; Full time

Job summary

FTI Consulting, Inc. is seeking an experienced Director with 8+ years of hands-on trade compliance and international trade expertise to lead Trade Services engagements.

This role oversees activities, provides technical direction, and interacts directly with clients to ensure accurate, timely, and well-documented delivery across customs, tariff classification, valuation, and FTZ areas. The Director will manage workstreams, review senior staff output, and collaborate with clients, brokers, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a related field.
• 8+ years of hands-on U.S. customs, trade compliance, import operations, or related international trade activities.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. customs requirements and complex transaction handling.
• Experience across tariff classification, valuation, country of origin, FTZs, duty drawback, or import operations.
• Ability to lead and review work of others in a fast-paced consulting setting.

Responsibilities

• Perform and oversee day-to-day and project-based trade compliance activities per client requirements and regulations.
• Review tariff classification, valuation, origin, FTZ, duty drawback, and import compliance tasks.
• Check customs entries, trade data, and documentation for accuracy and compliance.
• Prepare and review workpapers, calculations, reconciliations, and client deliverables.
• Direct and review the work of Senior Trade Services Specialists and consultants.
• Manage workstreams with priorities, deadlines, and quality standards.
• Collaborate with clients, brokers, and logistics providers to resolve issues.

Skills

Client-facing communication

Analytical thinking

Project management

MS Excel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, international business, supply chain, economics, finance, or related field

Job description

Who We Are

FTI Consulting is the leading global expert firm for organizations facing crisis and transformation. We work with many of the world’s top multinational corporations, law firms, banks and private equity firms on their most important issues to deliver impact that makes a difference. From resolving disputes, navigating crises, managing risk and optimizing performance, our teams respond rapidly to dynamic and complex situations. At FTI Consulting, you’ll work side-by-side with leaders who have shaped history, helping solve the biggest challenges making headlines today. From day one, you’ll be an integral part of a focused team where you can make a real impact. You’ll be surrounded by an open, collaborative culture that embraces diversity, recognition, professional development and, most importantly, you. Are you ready to make your impact?

About the Role

FTI Consulting is seeking an experienced Director with 8+ years of hands-on trade compliance and international trade experience to support the delivery of Trade Services engagements. The Director is a hands-on trade compliance professional responsible for performing complex client work while overseeing assigned activities performed by other team members. The role provides technical direction, reviews work and deliverables, manages assigned workstreams, interacts directly with clients, and ensures accurate, timely, and well-documented delivery. The role will work across areas such as customs, tariff classification, valuation, country of origin, tariff mitigation, Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZs), duty drawback, import operations, and related compliance requirements.

What You’ll Do

• Perform and oversee day-to-day and project-based trade compliance activities in accordance with client requirements, FTI methodologies, and applicable laws and regulations
• Perform and review complex tariff classification, valuation, country-of-origin, tariff mitigation, FTZ, duty drawback, and import compliance activities
• Review customs entries, trade data, commercial documentation, broker data, and other transactional records for accuracy and compliance
• Prepare and review workpapers, calculations, reconciliations, reports, procedures, and other client deliverables
• Direct and review the work of Senior Trade Services Specialists, Consultants, and other team members
• Manage assigned workstreams, including priorities, deadlines, deliverables, service levels, and quality
• Work directly with clients, customs brokers, logistics providers, and other stakeholders to obtain information and resolve issues
• Identify complex, recurring, or high-risk compliance issues and determine appropriate escalation
• Support client implementations and managed services by performing assigned activities and overseeing team execution
• Identify process deficiencies and recommend improvements to trade compliance processes, controls, and procedures
• Perform quality-control reviews and ensure work meets established technical and quality standards
• Support engagement leadership with client communications, issue resolution, scope management, and identification of additional client needs

How You’ll Grow

We are committed to investing and supporting you in your professional development and have developed a range of programs focused on fostering leadership, growth, and development opportunities. We aim to promote continuous learning and individual skills development through on-the-job learning, self-guided professional development courses and certifications. You’ll be assigned a dedicated coach to mentor, guide, and support you through regular coaching sessions and serve as an advocate for your professional growth. As you progress through your career at FTI Consulting, we offer tailored programs for critical professional milestones to ensure you are prepared and empowered to take on your next role.

What You Will Need To Succeed

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, international business, supply chain, economics, finance, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of hands-on experience in U.S. customs, trade compliance, import operations, or related international trade activities
• Strong knowledge of U.S. customs requirements and experience applying them to complex transactions and processes
• Hands-on experience across multiple areas of trade compliance, such as tariff classification, valuation, country of origin, tariff mitigation, FTZs, duty drawback, or import operations
• Experience independently performing complex trade compliance work and directing or reviewing the work of others
• Strong analytical, research, technical judgment, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify and upscale compliance risks
• Strong client-facing communication skills and ability to work effectively with clients, brokers, and internal teams
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, priorities, deadlines, and deliverables in a fast-paced consulting environment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications
• Willingness to travel up to 25%, as required by client engagements
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis; this position does not provide visa sponsorship

Preferred Qualifications

• Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) or industry certification such as CCS, CES, or similar
• Hands-on FTZ experience
• Experience with Section 301, Section 232, or other tariff mitigation programs
• Experience with duty drawback or post-entry processes
• Experience with customs broker entry review and performance monitoring
• Experience with trade data analysis, exception reporting, or audit testing
• Experience with ERP/WMS platforms, ACE, broker platforms, HTS/classification tools, or other trade technology
• Experience supporting recurring or managed trade compliance services
• Experience developing trade compliance procedures, work instructions, and operational controls
• Experience coaching or supervising trade compliance professionals

Compensation

Minimum Pay: $91,000 Maximum Pay: $278,000 Compensation Disclosure: The compensation range reflects potential base salary for the role. Actual compensation is determined based on a wide array of relevant factors including market considerations, business needs, and an individual’s location, skills, level of experience, and qualifications.

Equal Opportunity and Diversity

FTI Consulting is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.

With more than 8,100+ employees located in 32 countries and territories around the globe, we are the leading global expert firm for organizations facing crisis and transformation. Our experts have led organizations, shaped policy, driven investigations, managed crises, advised world leaders and built businesses from the ground up. Learn more about the work we do and how we're helping clients around the world turn their biggest challenges and opportunities into stories of success. Learn more about our impact. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where our people can grow and achieve their full potential. To learn more about FTI Consulting, visit www.fticonsulting.com/careers and connect with us on Instagram and LinkedIn.