Defense Trade Solutions Manager

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in District of Columbia, +1 more state.

📋 Description

• Manage customer relationships and a diverse portfolio encompassing intricate, fast-paced defense trade activities.

• Lead delivery teams and expand customer accounts.

• Act as the main contact for a designated group of customers.

• Conduct regular business reviews, including monthly status updates and quarterly performance assessments.

• Facilitate collaboration among cross-functional experts and provide support in logistics and customs, compliance, FMS, and Technology Release & Foreign Disclosure planning.

• Provide mentorship to direct reports and coach Specialists, Senior Specialists, and Principal Specialists.

• Promote compliant market access that aligns with U.S. national security and foreign policy goals.

• Convert technical analyses into clear guidance and actionable next steps for customers.

• Direct complex export licensing and authorization strategies.

• Serve as the escalation point for intricate licensing tasks and U.S. Government interactions with DDTC and BIS.

• Establish meeting agendas, facilitate decision-making, and monitor action items.

• Ensure delivery quality, adherence to schedules, and achievement of measurable outcomes.

• Assist with resource planning, project management, and strategies for client portfolio expansion.

⛳️ Requirements

• Over 10 years of experience in export controls, trade compliance, aerospace and defense consulting, or related fields, with direct experience managing customers and teams.

• Strong understanding of International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

• Capability to translate complex business scenarios into practical export licensing strategies.

• Demonstrated project management and communication skills.

• Executive presence and comfort in making decisions with senior customer stakeholders.

• Ability to juggle multiple priorities in a dynamic environment while maintaining confidentiality.

• Intermediate to Advanced-level knowledge of Foreign Military Sales (FMS) from Pre-Letter of Request (LOR) to Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) Signature, and/or security cooperation initiatives.

• Advanced-level comprehension of export licensing, including ITAR agreements, exemptions, and EAR exceptions.

• Previous experience in developing and managing global trade compliance programs, including the establishment of policies and procedures from scratch at a small or mid-sized aerospace or defense firm.

• Experience with global trade compliance strategies for products in various development phases, including engineering design, prototyping, testing and evaluation, final assembly, production, and maintenance/sustainment.

• Proven ability to manage a customer portfolio and sustain strong executive-level relationships.

• Skilled in leading recurring customer meetings, including monthly status reviews and quarterly business assessments.

• Capable of acting as the escalation point for complex licensing deliverables and U.S. Government engagement with DDTC and BIS.

• Proficient in managing and mentoring direct reports while enforcing DTS communication and delivery standards.

• Experience in coordinating cross-functional support across logistics and customs, compliance, FMS, and Technology Release & Foreign Disclosure planning.

• Background in resource planning, project management, and efforts to grow client portfolios.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities.

• Outstanding capability to engage C-Suite executives and senior U.S. Government officials.

• Creative, resourceful, and motivated by cross-functional collaboration.

• Excellent time management skills and attention to detail.

• Ability to handle sensitive information discreetly.

• Willingness to travel up to 20% of the time.

• Capability to obtain an Active DoD Secret Security Clearance.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical, Vision, and Dental coverage.

• 9/80 work schedule.

• Three weeks of accrued PTO.

• Ten holidays observed.

• Accrued sick leave.

• Holiday shutdown period.

• $100 quarterly stipend for wellness initiatives.

• $100 monthly stipend for work-from-home setup.

• 401k plan with company matching.

• Discretionary performance bonus based on a percentage of revenue from the Solutions Manager’s assigned customer portfolio; actual payouts may exceed 20% of base salary.