U.S. Export Controls

Senior Manager, Trade Compliance – ITAR, EAR & OFAC (Aerospace & Defense, Onsite)

🌍 Senior Manager, Trade Compliance

📍 Location: Rochester, NY (100% Onsite)
🕘 Schedule: 9/80 Work Schedule (Every Other Friday Off)
💼 Employment Type: Full-Time
🏭 Industry: Aerospace / Defense
⚖️ Function: Trade Compliance / Legal
🛂 Visa Sponsorship: Not Available

🔍 About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Manager, Trade Compliance to lead all trade compliance activities within a large, complex aerospace and defense business unit. This is a highly visible leadership role responsible for overseeing ITAR, EAR, and OFAC compliance, managing a team of approximately 15 trade compliance professionals, and acting as an Empowered Official.

This position partners closely with Business Development, Engineering, Operations, Finance, Program Management, and executive leadership to ensure compliance is embedded into critical international business pursuits. The role is fully onsite in Rochester, NY and reports directly to a senior segment-level Trade Compliance leader.

🧭 Key Responsibilities

Trade Compliance Leadership

  • Lead and supervise sector-wide Trade Compliance teams

  • Act as Empowered Official for the sector

  • Develop, implement, and enforce trade compliance policies, processes, and procedures

  • Anticipate, assess, and proactively manage compliance risk posture

  • Prepare, review, and manage export authorizations and compliance records

Regulatory & Licensing Oversight

  • Interpret and advise on U.S. Government trade laws and regulations (ITAR, EAR, OFAC)

  • Ensure compliant execution of export/import activities and documentation

  • Oversee investigations and reporting of any potential trade violations

  • Support compliance audits, assessments, and Compliance Assistance Visits

Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Partner with Business Development, Program Management, Engineering, Operations, Finance, and Product teams to embed compliance into revenue-generating pursuits

  • Coordinate closely with Licensing, Operations & Training, and Customs & Traffic teams

  • Support international sales activities through compliant licensing strategies

Leadership & Culture

  • Build and sustain a collaborative, transparent, and high-performing compliance culture

  • Communicate trade compliance requirements and status updates to senior leadership

  • Continuously improve processes to meet business timelines and financial objectives

Travel & Security

  • Domestic travel up to 20%

  • Ability to obtain U.S. Secret Security Clearance

🧠 Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree with 12+ years of related experience
    OR Graduate degree with 10+ years of experience
    OR 16+ years of experience in lieu of degree

  • 3+ years leading high-performing teams

  • 5+ years of hands-on experience with:

    • ITAR

    • EAR

    • OFAC / U.S. trade sanctions

  • Strong understanding of export licensing and compliance frameworks

⭐ Preferred Experience

  • Experience interpreting and applying U.S. Government trade laws

  • Hands-on experience with OCR EASE

  • Background in aerospace, defense, or government contracting

  • Exposure to Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programs

  • Military operational or policy experience

  • Strong technical aptitude or engineering exposure

  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills

  • Proven ability to lead through complexity and shifting priorities

 

🎯 Ideal Candidate Profile

  • Senior Trade Compliance leader from Aerospace & Defense

  • Deep expertise in ITAR licensing, OCR EASE, and regulatory enforcement

  • Confident engaging executives and cross-functional leaders

  • Strong people leader with a collaborative leadership style

  • Highly organized, proactive, and comfortable exercising independent judgment

  • Business-minded compliance professional who enables growth while managing risk

💰 Compensation & Benefits

  • Salary Range: $105,000 – $190,000 (based on experience & location)

  • Benefits: Full benefits package

  • Relocation Assistance: Available

  • Bonus: Not specified

  • Work Model: 100% Onsite

  • Travel: Occasional (up to 20%)

🧾 Skills & Certifications (Required)

  • ITAR

  • ITAR Licensing

  • OCR EASE

📌 Quick Snapshot

Category

Details

Title

Senior Manager, Trade Compliance

Location

Rochester, NY

Schedule

9/80 (Every Other Friday Off)

Team Size

~15

Experience

10–15+ years

Clearance

Ability to obtain Secret

Industry

Aerospace / Defense

Salary

$105K – $190K

Visa

No sponsorship

Work Model

Onsite

 

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