Head of Global Trade

Job Title: Head of Global Trade

Location(s): Remote with occasional travel to site (preferably Harlow, Essex) Flexible working (some travel including international will be required)

1. Summary of Role

The role holder will lead and manage our Global Trade Business Partners and Compliance team in the UK (“RSL”) and for our Canadian subsidiary (“ELCAN”), driving the strategy and providing leadership to team members and other business and functional stakeholders in relation to all aspects of UK and US Export/Import (“EXIM”) operations and compliance. The role reports into the General Counsel.

2. Main Duties/Objectives
- Responsible for creation and delivery of the Global Trade strategy for RSL and ELCAN
- Principal advisor and representative for Global Trade with RSL and ELCAN customers, Government agencies and RTX leadership teams
- Provide advice on interpretation of regulatory requirements or company export/import policies and procedures with business units and functional vice presidents
- Provide legal opinions on compliance, trade regulations, and advise on emerging regulatory and enforcement trends
- Draft/review and negotiate export and import clauses in contracts
- Manage and direct external trade counsel
- Provide SME business counsel advice and guidance to complex problems and issues to all areas of the business and supporting functions as required in relation to UK and US EXIM control matters
- Ensures implementation of company policies, procedures and instructions to support compliance with UK and U.S. Government EXIM law regulations
- Establish and manage relationships with other industry groups and professional to knowledge share and identify industry best practices within Global Trade
- Identify and provide top talent to RSL, including recruitment, performance management and team development in order to deliver functional excellence
- Provide strategic thought leadership to develop innovative solutions with RSL customer set
- Demonstration of involvement in business operations and strategic decision making at highest levels. Demonstration of leadership skills (coaching, mentoring, decision making, ensuring inclusion and collaboration etc.) to your team
- Drive efficiencies and cost savings through continuous improvements and resource management and effective use of customs and import reliefs
- Participate in driving Legal achievement of its Annual Operating Plan and business area objectives and the setting and achieving of strategic objectives
- Conduct and/or supervise, under privilege, investigations and drafting of any required voluntary disclosures
- Engage and negotiate, where applicable, with external stakeholders with respect to any actions arising from disclosures
- Collaborate and manage key relationships with all government licensing authorities, customs authorities and programme stakeholders, to ensure that the business secures and retains necessary authorisations (e.g., EXIM licences, exemptions, customs authorisations and certifications) and acts compliantly with all applicable EXIM requirements
- Leading and managing career development, succession planning, talent management, learning and development needs of all direct reports and the wider Global Trade team.
- Ensure that team KPIs (including utilisation) are met or exceeded

Essential:

- Lawyer, with relevant experience, qualified to work in the UK
- Demonstrable senior management experience of leading teams to deliver business objectives
- Proven track record of leadership using DE&I
- Experienced in staff engagement and management with specific experience in employee development with excellent influencing skills and a flexible and positive attitude
- A strong desire and capability to developing leaders
- Strong practical experience in managing U.K. EXIM Licensing Regulations, U.S. ITAR/EAR Regulations and Logistics Procedures (preferably within Aerospace and Defence).
- Experience in drafting formal correspondence with government agencies including voluntary disclosures for the UK and US governments
- Must be self-motivated, have a high sense of urgency, be able to problem solve complex situations, be resourceful, and provide personal hands-on efforts where necessary
- Exceptional strategic planning and project/programme management skills
- Hold or able to obtain SC security clearance

Desirable:

- Prior experience within Defence/Aerospace or Government