International Trade Compliance Officer

We are seeking a proactive and detail oriented International Trade Compliance Officer to play a key role in ensuring our global trade activities remain fully compliant with UK and international export control regulations. Working closely with internal stakeholders, government authorities, and international partners, you will provide expert guidance that enables business growth while safeguarding regulatory compliance.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced trade compliance professional to influence business decisions, drive best practice, and contribute to the success of a leading defence and aerospace organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the timely preparation and submission of UK export licence applications, including OGELs, OIELs and SIELs.
• Act as the primary liaison with UK regulatory authorities, including HMRC, DBT and ECJU, regarding licence applications, approvals and compliance enquiries.
• Monitor changes to UK and international trade regulations, sanctions, embargoes and restricted party requirements, assessing potential business impacts and implementing appropriate actions.
• Partner with the International Trade Compliance (ITC) Manager to develop and deliver engaging compliance training, ensuring employees understand their responsibilities under import and export control regulations.
• Support business operations by ensuring UK defence approvals, exhibition clearances and other regulatory requirements are secured in line with operational needs.
• Support the ongoing development, implementation and maintenance of import/export compliance policies, procedures and controls across the business.
• Coordinate and support applications and ongoing management of US export authorisations, including TAAs, MLAs and export licences.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to provide practical trade compliance guidance that enables commercial and operational objectives to be achieved efficiently and compliantly.
• Manage employee travel authorisations, ensuring approvals remain current and compliant.
• Review, approve or reject Technical Authorisation Transfer Forms and maintain associated records.

What We're Looking For

Skills & Competencies

• Strong working knowledge of UK export controls, customs regulations, and international trade compliance requirements, including ITAR and EAR.
• Commercially aware with the ability to balance compliance obligations against business objectives.
• Highly organised with excellent planning and time-management skills.
• Results-driven with a proactive approach and a strong sense of ownership.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to maintaining accurate records.
• Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the confidence to influence and advise at all levels of the organisation.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with multiple competing priorities.
• Previous experience within the Defence, Aerospace, or a similarly regulated industry is highly desirable.

Success Measures

Success in this role will be demonstrated through:

• Providing trusted, accurate and compliant trade compliance advice to internal stakeholders.
• Delivering efficient and compliant import and export operations.
• Supporting successful internal and external compliance audits and government inspections.
• Reducing export shipment delays and export holds through proactive licence management.
• Managing a high volume of export licence applications while maintaining quality and compliance standards.
• Contributing to continuous improvement of trade compliance processes, controls and training across the business.