Senior Director, Customs & Trade Governance

Altius Talent | Freight Forwarding Recruitment; Illinois; On-site; USD 150,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

Performance bonus

Strong long-term advancement potential

Job summary

A major logistics firm is seeking a Senior Director for Customs & Trade Governance to oversee nationwide compliance strategy. The successful candidate will have significant experience in customs compliance and leadership, ensuring regulatory integrity across U.S. operations. This executive-level role offers a competitive salary and performance bonuses, with potential relocation to key U.S. gateways.

Qualifications

• Active U.S. Customs Broker License.
• 15+ years of customs compliance, brokerage leadership, or regulatory management experience.
• Extensive knowledge of CBP and Partner Government Agency regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the national customs governance strategy across all U.S. locations.
• Oversee HTS classification, drawback, reconciliation, post-entry processes, and audit functions.
• Serve as the primary executive contact with CBP, PGAs, and other regulatory agencies.

Skills

Customs compliance

Regulatory management

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

Job description

Senior Director, Customs & Trade Governance

Salary: $150,000 – $225,000 (DOE) + Bonus

Keywords: Customs compliance | CBP | Trade governance | Drawback | Reconciliation | CTPAT | Audit | Leadership

About the Company: We’re working with a major international freight forwarder seeking an experienced customs and compliance executive to lead its nationwide trade governance strategy. With significant U.S. gateway operations and a strong global footprint, the business is focused on elevating regulatory standards and strengthening its national compliance infrastructure.

Position Summary: The Senior Director of Customs & Trade Governance will oversee all U.S. import compliance programs, acting as the senior authority for regulatory integrity, CBP engagement, and continuous improvement initiatives. This role spans key gateway markets—including Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, and Los Angeles—and ensures alignment between compliance, brokerage, and commercial functions across the country.

This opportunity is designed for a proven customs leader with deep operational understanding and experience managing large, multi-branch compliance programs within a global forwarding organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the national customs governance strategy across all U.S. locations.
• Oversee HTS classification, drawback, reconciliation, post-entry processes, and audit functions.
• Serve as the primary executive contact with CBP, PGAs, and other regulatory agencies.
• Direct internal audit programs, risk assessments, and corrective action initiatives.
• Provide training, regulatory guidance, and compliance support to brokerage and operations teams.
• Manage ACE access, broker licensing matters, and all associated recordkeeping systems.
• Maintain adherence to CTPAT, bonded warehouse, and ISA requirements.
• Drive modernization, process automation, and technology‑enabled compliance improvements.

Candidate Requirements

• Active U.S. Customs Broker License.
• 15+ years of customs compliance, brokerage leadership, or regulatory management experience.
• Extensive knowledge of CBP and Partner Government Agency regulations.
• Proven experience in drawback, reconciliation, audits, prior disclosures, and post-entry functions.
• Strong leadership history managing national or multi‑site compliance teams.
• Exceptional analytical, communication, and executive decision‑making abilities.
• Willing to be based in or relocate to Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, or Los Angeles.

What You’ll Receive

• Executive‑level role with nationwide oversight and strategic influence.
• Direct partnership with senior global leadership on trade and compliance initiatives.
• Opportunity to modernize and advance compliance programs within a global logistics leader.
• Competitive compensation package, performance bonus, and strong long‑term advancement potential.

Seniority level

Director

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Other