Senior Director, Trade Services

FTI Consulting; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 330,000; Full time

Job summary

FTI Consulting is seeking an experienced Senior Director with 12+ years of comprehensive trade compliance and international trade experience to lead complex client engagements and ensure the highest standards of technical accuracy and regulatory compliance.

The Senior Director will advise clients on regulatory environments and oversee trade compliance activities and deliverables, including FTZs and tariff programs, while providing operational and commercial leadership across Trade Services

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive experience in trade compliance, international trade, customs, or regulatory consulting
• Experience leading complex, multi-jurisdictional client engagements
• Experience designing, implementing, and/or managing trade compliance operating models
• Deep knowledge of U.S. and global customs laws, tariff classification, and sanctions
• Willingness to travel up to 25% for client engagements
• Authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis; visa sponsorship not offered

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee multiple high-impact, global client engagements with strategic, operational, and financial accountability
• Provide authoritative guidance on complex trade compliance matters, including U.S. and international laws
• Serve as senior technical advisor and final quality-control authority for high-risk analyses and deliverables
• Establish, enforce, and improve standardized methodologies, controls, and QA processes
• Direct, mentor, and performance-manage teams to ensure adherence to standards and timelines
• Lead development and operation of trade compliance operating models and managed services
• Identify compliance risks and provide actionable guidance to clients
• Oversee service delivery against defined scope, milestones, and quality metrics
• Collaborate with Managing Directors on business development and client solutions

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Travel

Education

JD or MBA preferred

Tools

Trade compliance technology

Data analytics

Automation

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.

About The Role

FTI Consulting is seeking an experienced Senior Director with 12+ years of comprehensive trade compliance and international trade experience to lead complex client engagements and ensure the highest standards of technical accuracy and regulatory compliance while providing operational and commercial leadership across Trade Services engagements.

The Senior Director will advise clients on complex regulatory environments and directly oversee trade compliance activities and deliverables. Deep expertise in customs compliance, tariff mitigation programs, Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZs), and sourcing regulations is critical, along with a broad understanding of export controls, economic sanctions, and other international trade regulatory regimes. The role combines deep technical expertise with hands-on leadership of trade compliance operating models, managed services, and client delivery. This senior leadership role is execution-focused, delivery-driven, and essential to maintaining client confidence in highly regulated and high-risk environments.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and oversee multiple high-impact, global client engagements with strategic, operational, and financial accountabilityh
• Provide authoritative guidance on complex trade compliance matters, including U.S. and international customs laws, export controls, economic sanctions, sourcing regulations, tariff mitigation, and trade policy developments, engaging appropriate subject-matter specialists where deeper expertise is required
• Serve as senior technical advisor and final quality-control authority for high-risk or complex analyses, filings, and advisory deliverables
• Establish, enforce, and continuously improve standardized methodologies, controls, and quality assurance processes to ensure consistent, accurate execution across engagements
• Direct, mentor, and performance-manage Directors, Managers, and project teams to ensure adherence to technical standards, timelines, and client expectations
• Lead the design, implementation, and ongoing operation of trade compliance operating models, including importer-of-record services, customs broker management, entry management, classification, valuation, country of origin, post-entry processes, tariff programs, Foreign-Trade Zones, and related compliance controls
• Lead the development and delivery of recurring and managed trade compliance services, establishing scalable processes, governance structures, service-level expectations, quality controls, and performance metrics
• Proactively identify compliance risks, gaps, and improvement opportunities within client operations and recommend practical, actionable guidance
• Oversee service delivery against defined scope, service levels, milestones, quality standards, client commitments, and operational and financial performance metrics, ensuring issues are identified, escalated, resolved, and documented
• Partner with Managing Directors on business development by identifying follow-on opportunities, shaping client solutions, contributing to proposals, and expanding existing client relationships
• Stay current on regulatory developments and emerging trade compliance trends, translating changes into actionable guidance for clients and internal teams
• Represent FTI in select client meetings, industry forums, and regulatory discussions as a subject-matter expert, as appropriate for the role
• Maintain accountability for engagement economics, including staffing, utilization, budgets, scope management, forecasting, realization, and profitability.

How You’ll Grow

We are committed to investing and supporting you in your professional development and we 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

• Advanced degree (JD or MBA) preferred
• 12+ years of progressive experience in trade compliance, international trade, customs, or regulatory consulting, including significant hands-on execution and leadership responsibility
• Proven ability to lead complex, multi-jurisdictional client engagements while maintaining sufficient technical depth to challenge analyses, resolve complex issues, and serve as the escalation point for high-risk matters
• Demonstrated success leading high-performing teams and managing complex, multinational client portfolios
• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and/or managing trade compliance operating models, recurring services, or managed services
• Deep knowledge of U.S. and global customs laws and regulations, tariff classification, valuation, country of origin, tariff mitigation strategies, Foreign-Trade Zones, duty drawback, special tariff programs, sourcing regulations, and supply chain compliance, with a broad working knowledge of export controls and economic sanctions and the ability to identify when specialized subject-matter expertise is required
• Experience managing customs broker relationships and/or importer-of-record activities, including broker governance, entry data requirements, exception management, post-entry processes, and broker performance oversight
• Proven ability to establish scalable processes, controls, service-level expectations, and performance metrics for client service delivery
• 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 equivalent certifications
• Industry certifications such as CCS, CES, or similar
• Experience working across multiple areas of international trade compliance, including customs, import operations, export controls, sanctions, sourcing, tariff mitigation, and supply chain compliance
• Experience leveraging trade compliance technology, data analytics, automation, and digital solutions to improve compliance controls, operational efficiency, data quality, and service delivery
• Demonstrated experience with Foreign-Trade Zone feasibility, implementation, operational design, governance, and ongoing compliance
• Strong executive-level communication, presentation, and relationship management skills
• Proven ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders across industries and geographies.

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.

Compensation

Minimum Pay: $119,500

Maximum Pay: $329,500

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.