JOB DESCRIPTION

Forward Air/Omni Logistics is seeking a Global Trade Compliance Director, you will oversee and manage the company’s global sanctions and trade compliance program, ensuring adherence to international trade laws and regulations. You will lead a team, drive strategy to support business growth, and manage regulatory risk, while directly interacting with executive leadership on trade compliance matters. This role requires a seasoned compliance professional with a legal background and substantial experience in global trade compliance.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in International Trade, Law, Business, or a related field (advanced degree such as a Juris Doctor or LLM strongly preferred).
• Minimum of 10-15 years’ experience in global trade compliance, with substantial experience in a leadership capacity.
• Professional certifications such as CUSECO or equivalent are a plus.
• Deep expertise in U.S. export and import regulations, including EAR, ITAR, OFAC sanctions, and U.S. Customs regulations.
• Experience building or scaling a trade compliance program in a multinational logistics, freight forwarding, or supply chain company.
• Proven track record in developing and implementing compliance strategies and programs.
• Excellent analytical skills to interpret complex regulatory requirements and assess their impact on business operations.
• Strong commercial awareness and problem-solving ability to balance compliance requirements with business objectives.
• Forward-thinking mindset with the ability to anticipate regulatory changes and advise leadership accordingly.

SKILLS:

• Leadership and team management skills to oversee and guide a compliance team.
• Strategic thinking to develop and implement comprehensive compliance strategies.
• Strong communication skills to interact effectively with executive leadership and other stakeholders.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills to identify compliance risks and implement effective controls.
• Attention to detail to ensure thorough compliance with all regulations.
• Ability to work collaboratively across functions and with external partners.
• Proficiency in compliance-related software and tools.Continuous learning mindset to stay updated on industry best practices and regulatory changes.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive global trade compliance strategy aligned with U.S. and relevant international trade laws and regulations (e.g., EAR, ITAR, OFAC sanctions, customs regulations).
• Continuously update the strategy to address emerging regulatory changes and ensure full compliance across all jurisdictions.
• Ensure robust processes for sanctions compliance and denied-party screening.
• Oversee the screening of customers, suppliers, and transactions against U.S. and international restricted party lists.
• Provide guidance on handling transactions involving embargoed or high-risk countries.
• Serve as the decision authority for escalations involving potential sanctions issues or complex cross-border shipping restrictions.
• Partner internally and externally to ensure compliant, efficient global trade operations.
• Guide business units on trade compliance for new routes, services, or customer engagements.
• Embed compliance into decision-making processes.
• Oversee targeted trade compliance training programs for employees and business partners, particularly those directly involved in import/export activities.
• Ensure employees and business partners receive current training on applicable regulations (EAR, ITAR, customs requirements) and clearly understand their compliance responsibilities.
• Foster a proactive culture where stakeholders actively identify and escalate trade compliance issues.
• Identify and assess regulatory risks related to global trade compliance.
• Implement effective controls and solutions to mitigate identified risks.
• Monitor and audit compliance activities to ensure adherence to regulations.
• Engage with executive leadership on matters related to trade compliance.
• Provide strategic advice and updates on compliance issues and regulatory changes.
• Act as a key advisor to the Chief Compliance Officer.
• Build or scale a trade compliance program in line with the company’s growth and operational needs.
• Ensure the program is adaptable to changes in the regulatory environment.
• Maintain accurate records of compliance activities and decisions.
• Prepare and present compliance reports to senior management and regulatory bodies as required.
• Continuously evaluate and improve compliance processes and procedures.
• Stay updated on industry best practices and incorporate them into the compliance program.
• Maintain deep expertise in U.S. export and import regulations, including EAR, ITAR, OFAC sanctions, and U.S. Customs regulations.
• Stay well-versed in Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs) and Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classification systems.