Head of Trade Compliance

Hours: Full-time 37 hours | Permanent

Draken believes in fair reward and recognition for our employees. As such, we offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including up to 12% matching pension contributions, bonus incentives, discounted PMI, electric car scheme, tech vouchers, wellbeing programmes and much more.

Role Overview

The Head of Trade Compliance is responsible for establishing, leading, and continuously improving the organisation’s global trade compliance framework. This role ensures full compliance with applicable import, export, customs, sanctions, embargoes, and trade control regulations, while enabling the business to operate efficiently and competitively across international markets.

The role acts as the key subject matter expert and strategic advisor to senior leadership on trade compliance risk, regulatory change, and operational integration.

Strategy & Governance

• Develop and own Draken’s global trade compliance strategy, aligned to business objectives and regulatory requirements
• Establish and maintain trade compliance policies, standards and governance frameworks across all regions
• Act as the senior escalation point for complex or high‑risk trade compliance matters
• Provide insight, reporting and assurance to senior leadership, Audit Committee and Board as required

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with UK, EU, US and international regulations, including export controls, customs, sanctions and embargo regimes (e.g. UK Export Control Order, EU Dual‑Use, EAR, ITAR, OFSI, OFAC)
• Monitor regulatory changes, assess business impact and implement required actions
• Lead licensing strategies and ensure effective control and utilisation

Risk, Assurance & External Engagement

• Identify, assess and mitigate trade compliance risks across the business
• Lead internal audits, reviews and gap analyses
• Oversee investigations into potential breaches and lead corrective actions
• Act as the primary interface with regulatory authorities during audits or disclosures

Business Integration

• Embed trade compliance into key business processes, including:
  • Business development and sales
  • Supply chain and logistics
  • Engineering, product classification and development
  • M&A activity and new market entry
• Provide practical, risk‑based advice to support commercial decision‑making

Leadership & Capability

• Lead, develop and mentor the UK trade compliance team
• Define team structure, resourcing and capability needs
• Design and deliver impactful trade compliance training across the organisation
• Champion a strong culture of compliance, accountability and ethical conduct