[Hiring] Senior Director of Global Trade Managed Services @Vigilant GTS

Role Description

Vigilant Global Trade Services is seeking an experienced operational leader to oversee the delivery of our global managed services organization. This individual will lead a distributed team responsible for delivering complex Global Trade Compliance services to Fortune 500 companies while serving as the primary operational leader for client relationships, delivery excellence, process improvement, and operational performance.

This role is not primarily a regulatory compliance position. It is an executive operations leadership role responsible for leading and building a global managed services organization that delivers trade compliance solutions.

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 Chief Operating Officer, partnering to translate strategic direction and disciplined execution, while actively engaging in and supporting the team to ensure successful outcomes.

Qualifications

• 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 working knowledge across U.S. and international trade compliance regulations including EAR, ITAR, OFAC, Customs, Import/Export Operations, Classification, Licensing, Sanctions, UK/EU KYC/AML requirements and related compliance frameworks.
• 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.

Requirements

• Act as an Executive Sponsor for Strategic Client Relationships.
• Advise Clients on Operational Improvements.
• Build Trusted Advisor Relationships with our clients.
• 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.
• 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 control systems 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.
• Lead the strategic adoption, implementation, and optimization of technology, automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital solutions to improve operational efficiency, enhance client service delivery, strengthen quality and compliance, and support the Company's long-term growth and innovation strategy.
• Responsible for communicating all client and/or vigilant policy and procedural changes.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits