Company Profile
Oceaneering is a global provider of engineered services and products, primarily to the offshore energy industry. We develop products and services for use throughout the lifecycle of an offshore oilfield, from drilling to decommissioning. We operate the world's premier fleet of work class ROVs. Additionally, we are a leader in offshore oilfield maintenance services, umbilicals, subsea hardware, and tooling. We also use applied technology expertise to serve the defense, entertainment, material handling, aerospace, science, and renewable energy industries.
Position Summary
The Director of Trade Compliance will lead and oversee the company’s global trade compliance program across all business segments, including Subsea Robotics, Manufactured Products, Offshore Projects Group, Integrity Management and Digital Solutions, and coordinate with the Aerospace and Defense Technologies (ADTech) to support Department of Defense (DoD) markets. This is a senior leadership role responsible for managing the global trade compliance team, directing trade compliance strategy and execution, and serving as the company’s principal authority on all trade matters.
What You’ll Do
The Director of Trade Compliance will build, lead, and operationalize a global trade compliance program, executing and developing policies, procedures, and controls, and managing licensing, classification, defense trade coordination, and international sanctions compliance across all business segments. The Director will manage a geographically dispersed team across the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe, exercise dotted-line oversight of personnel engaged in export classification and licensing support activities, and ensure the company’s compliance with all applicable U.S. and international trade laws and regulations.
LOCATION:
•Role provides the opportunity to work in a hybrid environment, working both virtually and in office when required.
•Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally (up to 35%).
Duties And Responsibilities
ESSENTIAL:
•Serve as the senior leader and primary point of contact for all trade compliance matters across the enterprise, including representation to external parties and regulators.
•Provide strategic and operational oversight of global trade compliance activities, including:
+ Export classifications (ECCN);
+ BIS compliance and export/ re-export controls;
+ OFAC economic sanctions management;
+ Licensing and licensing activities;
+ Anti-boycott regulations; and
+ Lead coordination with the ADTech business segment for compliance with DDTC for defense-related activities, ensuring alignment with ITAR requirements and evolving defense-related regulatory obligations.
•Lead, manage, and develop the global trade compliance program.
•Exercise dotted-line oversight of employees involved in export classification, licensing, and trade-related technical determinations, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and regulatory compliance across business segments.
•Develop and implement a robust system for OFAC end-use and end-user sanctions screening, ensuring consistent, automated compliance checks across global operations. This includes creating standardized procedures, written guidance, and training materials.
•Oversee licensing activities, particularly for Remote Operating Vehicles (ROVs) and other controlled technologies, ensuring timely and accurate licensing under ITAR and EAR frameworks.
•Develop an ITAR compliance manual/policy for non-defense business segments and provide training on compliance with the ITAR to personnel involved in the development, production, marketing, sales, and other activities
•Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive trade compliance policies, procedures, standards, guidelines, manuals, and playbooks.
•Create and maintain a Supplier Trade Manual and a Trade Compliance Code of Conduct to guide internal and external stakeholders on trade requirements.
•Manage and maintain trade compliance systems, internal investigations, regulatory filings, and reporting obligations associated with trade regulations.
•Conduct trade compliance research and provide practical guidance to the business on changes in U.S., EU, UK, and international trade regulations, including evolving retaliatory sanctions.
•Ensure proactive anti-boycott compliance, including monitoring, reporting, and internal education initiatives.
•Develop and deliver global trade compliance training programs and in-person workshops across operational sites.
•Attend relevant trade compliance conferences, seminars, and forums to stay current on regulatory trends, best practices, and enforcement priorities; serve as the company’s trade compliance representative at external events.
•Lead internal trade compliance audits, risk assessments, investigations, and implementation of corrective actions.
•Support HR processes related to trade compliance screenings for new hires and internal mobility candidates.
•Collaborate with the Finance department on anti-boycott reporting and establishing banking and financial transaction controls to prevent unauthorized dealings, including parties subject to sectoral sanctions under OFAC regulations. This includes implementing screening protocols, payment hold procedures, and escalation processes.
•Establish and maintain comprehensive trade compliance records in accordance with U.S. and international regulatory requirements, including documentation related to export licenses, classification determinations, end-use/end-user screenings, and internal audits.
•Develop and lead internal communications strategies to promote awareness of trade compliance obligations, including regular updates, guidance materials, and collaboration with business segments to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements.
•Prepare and deliver regular trade compliance reports, dashboards, and updates to the Chief Compliance Officer and senior leadership.
•Build and sustain a strong culture of compliance while pragmatically enabling business operations and growth.
Qualifications
REQUIRED:
•Bachelor’s degree (Business, International Affairs, Engineering, or related field preferred). Engineering degree or MBA a plus.
•10+ years of progressive experience in trade compliance, including EAR, BIS, DDTC/ITAR, OFAC sanctions, licensing, classifications, export/reexport controls and anti-boycott regulations.
•Demonstrated leadership experience managing trade compliance teams and overseeing classification and licensing activities, including export controls.
•Practical expertise coordinating trade compliance for defense-related businesses and ITAR-controlled products and defense articles designated on the U.S. Munitions List.
•Strong working knowledge of U.S. export regulations, licensing requirements, sanctions programs, retaliatory sanctions risks, and international trade laws.
•Proven experience managing international trade compliance programs across U.S., U.K., and EU jurisdictions.
•Hands-on experience with trade management systems, investigations, regulatory filings, and audit processes.
•Experience developing comprehensive trade compliance policies, supplier manuals, standards, trade language in contracts, and trade-related codes of conduct.
•Excellent communication and presentation skills, capable of representing the company to regulators, external stakeholders, and at industry events.
•Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally (up to 35%).
•Practical, business-oriented trade compliance expertise is essential.
DESIRED:
•Trade compliance certifications (e.g., Certified Export Specialist (CES), Certified ITAR Professional (CIP)) preferred.
•Prior experience in offshore drilling, defense, manufacturing, maritime operations, or industrial technology industries strongly preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS:
•Strategic, solution-oriented leadership.
•Strong people management, mentoring, and development skills.
•Cross-cultural management and international team leadership.
•Regulatory rigor combined with pragmatic business judgment.
•Strong project management and execution focus.
•Ability to conduct trade compliance investigations and deliver clear, actionable findings.
•Exceptional professionalism, integrity, and discretion.
Additional Information
This position is Hybrid - Remote and will require commuting to a designated office. Hybrid work schedules are determined by the hiring manager based on business need.
PAY, BENEFITS AND WORK SCHEDULE:
We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package. Employee benefits vary by role, however, may include Health and Wellness, Mental Health, Retirement Savings, Life and Disability, Paid Maternity and Parental Leave, Paid Time Off, Tuition Reimbursement, and an Employee Assistance Program.
Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified candidates will receive consideration for all positions without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other non-merit factors.
How To Apply
Regular full-time employees who apply will be considered along with external candidates. Employees with less than six months with their current position are not eligible to apply for job postings. Please discuss your interest in the position with your current manager/supervisor prior to submitting your completed application.
Houston, TX
full time
