Apply to Sr. Director or AVP of Global Trade Operations

Position
Job Title: Sr. Director or AVP of Global Trade Operations (Based on Experience)
Department: Operations
Primary Location: Personal Residency
Reports To: Chief Operating Officer
Employment Type: Exempt Salary + Bonus
Travel: Moderate

Role Overview
Vigilant Global Trade Services is seeking an individual to serve as a critical extension of executive leadership, with primary responsibility for the operational performance, production consistency, and quality of our global managed services delivery model.

This role is accountable for ensuring that all client-facing services are delivered with precision, consistency, and in alignment with the client’s regulatory requirements, while building a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement across a globally distributed team.

This position will serve as a direct extension of the VP of Global Operations, partnering to translate strategic direction and disciplined execution, while actively engaging in and supporting the team to ensure successful outcomes.

Vigilant Core Values

Put People First and Act with Integrity
Be Proactive and Pursue Solutions
Deliver Excellence in Every Detail
Communicate with Compassion, Clarity and Transparency
Lead every interaction with constructive optimism

Primary Responsibilities

Responsible for end-to-end operational performance of managed services accounts, ensuring consistent, high quality production output across all service lines
Ensure all client work is delivered in accordance with contractual, regulatory, and quality expectations, proactively mitigating risks and managing escalations
Lead and develop global teams, establishing clear accountability, performance standards, and a culture of ownership and continuous improvement
Oversee daily production operations, including volume management, SLA adherence, and optimal resource utilization
Implement and enforce standardized processes, workflows, and quality control mechanisms to drive consistency and scalability
Establish and maintain operational governance, including audit programs, data privacy, and security compliance
Translate executive priorities into disciplined operational execution, ensuring alignment across teams and successful delivery of key initiatives

Functional Requirements and Specific Responsibilities

Provide subject matter expertise in global trade compliance, including classification, screening, and regulatory interpretation
Stay current on regulatory changes and ensure timely communication and implementation across teams
Support complex client scenarios and escalations requiring deep compliance expertise
Partner with Sales and leadership on proposals, presentations, and solution design
Collaborate cross-functionally with IT, Finance, Legal, and other teams to support operational effectiveness
Identify and drive opportunities for process improvement, efficiency gains, and service enhancement.
Support recruiting and onboarding programs
Organize, prioritize and manage work in a dynamic and complex environment to meet deadlines and daily requirements, independent of supervision.

Coordinate and manage internal training and employee development worldwide to strengthen team capability.
Ensure proper quality controls are in place, tracked and measured.
Work with the account teams and clients to assist in identifying new opportunities to provide value for our clients.
Responsible for communicating all client and/or vigilant policy and procedural changes.
Other duties as assigned

Required Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in business, operations, or related field.
Customs Brokers License and/or other Industry Certifications are an added benefit
Minimum 10+ years of experience in operational leadership, supply chain and/or global trade compliance operations.
Demonstrated success in managed services, consulting and/or outsourcing environments.
Deep expertise in Global Trade compliance processes, policies and controls, including, but not limited to the following:
- Global Import, Export and Logistics activities
- ITAR, DSP-5, DSP-83,
- Classification (ECCN, Dual-Use, HTS/HS)
- Worldwide sanctions and regulatory programs
- GRC and Vendor Onboarding & Management Activities
- UK/EU Financial Crime, KYC and AML
Must have a strong understanding of data privacy and security requirements.
Excellent analytical and organizational skills, with a proven ability to adapt to a dynamic environment.
Demonstrated Operations experience with a strong understanding of project management, operations, throughput, and business analysis.
Demonstrate a strong technical aptitude with the ability to manage, support and optimize various automation systems (ERP, production systems, AI, trade compliance platforms and screening tools).
Ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and written, with clients, coworkers and senior leadership.
Strong customer relationship and sales skills.
Proven ability to effectively collaborate across cross-functional teams – Including Sales, Finance, IT, Operations and Legal.
Demonstrated leadership qualities in Mentoring and Conflict/Issue resolution.

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How many years of experience do you have in operational leadership, business operations, supply chain management, or a related field? *

How many years of experience do you have managing global trade compliance programs and operations? *

How many years of experience do you have leading managed services, consulting, outsourcing, shared services, or multi-client operational environments? *

Have you directly managed a fully remote workforce outside of temporary pandemic-related work arrangements? *

What is the largest team you have directly managed, including employees for whom you had performance management responsibility? *

In which countries have your direct reports been located? Please list all applicable countries. *

Have you contributed to the development of client proposals, solution designs, sales pursuits, executive presentations, or business development initiatives? *

Please rate your experience managing service-level agreements (SLAs), operational throughput, workforce productivity, and key performance indicators (KPIs) *

What were the three most important operational metrics or KPIs you used to manage team performance? *

Please rate your experience designing and implementing standardized processes, quality management programs, or continuous improvement initiatives. *

Please rate your experience in recruiting, hiring, coaching, performance management, succession planning, and employee development. *

Please rate your experience with global import compliance programs and operations. *

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Please rate your experience with classifying Technology and Software with their respective ECCN Classifications *

Please rate your experience with EAR, export licensing, and related regulatory requirements. *

Please rate your experience with ITAR, DSP-5, DSP-83, export licensing, and related ITAR regulatory requirements. *

Please rate your experience with product classification activities, including ECCN, HTS, HS, and dual-use classifications. *

Please rate your experience with sanctions screening, denied party screening, restricted party screening, and related compliance programs. *

Please rate your experience with Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Know Your Customer (KYC), financial crime compliance, or related regulatory programs. *

Please rate your experience with operational governance, audit management, data privacy, cybersecurity, and compliance oversight programs. *

Please rate your experience utilizing or managing ERP systems, trade compliance platforms, screening tools, workflow automation solutions, or AI-enabled business systems. *

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