Senior Export Controls & International Compliance Specialist

Northwestern University; Evanston (IL); On-site; USD 95,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Tuition benefits

Retirement savings

Paid vacation & holidays

Parental leave

Wellness programs

Job summary

Northwestern University’s Office for Research seeks a Senior Export Controls & International Compliance Specialist to advance the university's global compliance program. You will independently manage regulatory analyses related to export control, research security, and improper foreign influence, guiding reviews, classifications, and strategies with minimal oversight.

The role emphasizes proactive risk mitigation, process improvements, training, and cross‑functional collaboration across campus,

Qualifications

• Advanced degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• Experience interpreting federal export control regulations in academia.
• Ability to interact with diverse faculty, staff and students.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and exercise independent judgment.

Responsibilities

• Lead export control reviews, including classifications and screenings.
• Develop and audit Technology Control Plans (TCPs) for controlled tech.
• Conduct risk assessments and outreach for departments and leadership.
• Oversee content and updates to Export Control websites and resources.
• Represent Northwestern in professional networks and national forums.

Skills

Export controls

Regulatory analysis

Communication

Training & outreach

Education

Advanced degree (JD/PhD/MA/MS)

Tools

Visual Compliance

Job description

Department: Office for Research

Salary/Grade: EXS/10

Job Summary:

The Senior Export Controls & International Compliance (ECIC) Specialist plays a critical subject matter expert role in advancing Northwestern University's international compliance strategy. This position is responsible for independently managing complex regulatory analyses related to export control, research security, and improper foreign influence. The Senior Specialist serves as a strategic partner to the campus community, proactively identifying compliance risks and implementing forward‑looking solutions that align with institutional priorities.

Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the Senior ECIC Specialist leads complex export control reviews‑including classifications, shipping assessments, and international travel evaluations‑and oversees the development and execution of Technology Control Plans. This role also spearheads strategic automation and process improvement initiatives to enhance service delivery, ensure regulatory adherence, and streamline documentation workflows across the university.

In addition to export control responsibilities, the Senior Specialist drives Northwestern's efforts to mitigate improper foreign influence by conducting risk assessments, leading targeted training and outreach programs, and maintaining dynamic content across the Export Controls and Research Security websites. The Senior ECIC Specialist maintains expert‑level knowledge of the evolving regulatory landscape and cultivates a robust internal and external network to monitor trends, share best practices, and ensure the university remains at the forefront of compliance excellence.

The ECIC specialist will support the OR mission and values of understanding empathy, modeling accountability, ensuring fairness, embracing community, and valuing creativity.

Specific Responsibilities:

Export Control

• Lead collaborations with Sponsored Research (SR) and other key stakeholders to guide complex export control reviews and ensure alignment with institutional research priorities.
• Independently manage and advise on shipping and international travel reviews, including export control classifications and restricted party screenings, with minimal oversight.
• Provide expert‑level export classification assessments for proposed tangible item exports, ensuring accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Conduct and oversee restricted party screenings, identifying and escalating potential risks involving denied or sanctioned entities.
• Manage the university's use of Visual Compliance; identifying new partners and maintaining updated materials.
• Evaluate and determine the applicability of export license exemptions and exceptions, proactively advising on compliance strategies for third‑party engagements.
• Lead the application process for OFAC licenses, supporting regulated research activities in sanctioned or embargoed countries while mitigating institutional risk.
• Design, implement, and audit Technology Control Plans (TCPs), ensuring robust safeguards for controlled technologies and sensitive research.
• Develop and deliver targeted export control outreach, including strategic briefings and tailored communications for departments, centers, and leadership across the university.
• Oversee the content strategy and maintenance of the Export Control websites and digital resources, ensuring accessibility and Access to recent, relevant information.
• Review and interpret regulatory developments on emerging export control issues that may impact Northwestern's operations.
• Represent Northwestern in national forums, including active participation in the Association of University Export Control Officers (AUECO) and other professional networks to share insights and influence best practices.
• Lead special projects and initiatives as assigned, contributing to the continuous improvement of the university's international compliance framework.

Foreign Influence:

• Lead institutional risk assessments related to foreign influence, developing and implementing mitigation strategies that align with national security guidance and Northwestern's research integrity goals.
• Independently evaluate international collaborations, identifying potential foreign influence concerns and advising on appropriate compliance measures.
• Leverage institutional data sources to vet international partners, proactively identifying risk indicators and recommending mitigation plans to protect university interests.
• Monitor and interpret evolving national policy and legislative developments, including NSPM-33, and translate them into actionable guidance for university stakeholders.
• Oversee the maintenance of the Research Security program website and digital resources, ensuring timely updates and alignment with federal requirements.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (e.g., JD, PhD, MA, MS) or the equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired.
• 3+ years of export control or related experience, including familiarity or knowledge of U.S. export control regulations or improper foreign influence.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply federal regulations as they pertain in an academic research environment.
• Demonstrated ability to interact with faculty, staff and students in a diverse, multicultural environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple work demands and set priorities, exercising sound, ethical and independent judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to interact and influence at all levels of an organization and to work collaboratively across functions and departments toward shared objectives.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Advanced analytical and problem‑solving skills to interpret complex regulations and recommend practical compliance solutions.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for engaging diverse stakeholders and explaining regulatory concepts clearly.
• Ability to mentor junior staff and contribute to process improvements.
• Solid organizational skills with experience managing multiple priorities under deadline pressure.
• Proficiency in applying export control and research security regulations, with growing expertise in related compliance areas.
• Professional resilience and adaptability in handling challenging situations.
• Commitment to customer service and institutional goals through responsive, accurate compliance guidance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Leadership solving critical problems for diverse stakeholders.
• Track record of developing new standard operating procedures (SOPs) and electronic tracking systems.
• Experience with reviewing contracts, material transfer agreements, or non‑disclosure agreements.
• Export control certifications (e.g., ECoP certification).
• Experience training and mentoring team members.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $95,000-$100,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parentalleave;tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre‑tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.

We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non‑discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

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