Trade Compliance Export Controls Lead

Who we are VOIS (Vodafone Intelligent Solutions) is a strategic arm of Vodafone Group Plc, creating value for customers by delivering intelligent solutions through Talent, Technology & Transformation. As the largest shared services organisation in the global telco industry with 30,000 FTE, our portfolio of next-generation solutions and services are designed in partnership with customers across Vodafone Group, local markets, and partner markets to simplify and drive growth. With our strategic partner Accenture, we work alongside our Vodafone customers, other Telco and tech companies to drive transformation, meet the challenges of our industry and ensure we stay relevant and resilient. This partnership is a unique, industry-first model which brings together the best of in-house and 3rd party capability. We work with customers across 28 countries from 10 VOIS locations: Albania, Egypt, Hungary, India, Romania, Spain, Turkey, UK, Germany, Ireland, and with a network of teams in Czech Republic, Italy, Greece, and Portugal. #VOIS #BeUnrivalled #CreateTheFuture About this Role We are seeking an experienced Export Controls & Trade Compliance Specialist to provide expert advisory support on export control compliance across Vodafone Group. This role is focused on ensuring compliance with UK, EU, and US export control regulations, including dual-use items, telecommunications technology, semiconductors, encryption, cloud and AI services, and intangible technology transfers. The successful candidate will play a key role in risk mitigation, compliance transformation, stakeholder engagement, export classification, licensing, regulatory horizon scanning, and the continuous improvement of export control processes. This position requires deep technical expertise, strong analytical capabilities, and the ability to communicate complex regulatory requirements to a broad range of stakeholders. What you’ll do Provide expert technical advisory support to markets, operations and Group stakeholders on export control compliance obligations, including dual-use controls, sanctions-related restrictions and intangible technology transfers. Build and maintain effective relationships across Group Technology, Procurement, Security, Product and other key functions to support robust export control risk management. Provide specialist guidance on export classifications, including Vodafone-developed products through product risk management processes such as Trust by Design. Review, analyse and approve exports of tangible and intangible goods, software and technology, ensuring compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. Manage Group export licence applications, oversee compliance with licence conditions and support relationships with regulatory authorities. Contribute to Vodafone’s Trade Compliance transformation programme, supporting process optimisation, licence management enhancements and classification governance. Monitor emerging regulatory developments and assess potential impacts on Vodafone, including semiconductor restrictions, cloud and AI controls, China-related measures and updates to EU Regulation 2021/821. Design and deliver targeted awareness programmes and training to strengthen understanding of export control obligations across the business. Drive improvements to export control processes through automation, standardisation, digital workflows and centralised licence management. Support incident management and escalation activities where potential export control or sanctions-related risks are identified. Collaborate with Compliance, Financial Crime and business stakeholders to promote aligned approaches, consistent guidance and simplified processes. Who you are Minimum of 6 years’ experience in Export Controls Compliance. Deep knowledge of: EU Regulation 2021/821 (Dual-Use Regulation) UK Export Control Order 2008 US Export Administration Regulations (EAR), including de minimis requirements, Foreign Direct Product Rules and Entity List implications Strong experience in product and technology export classification covering encryption, software, cloud services, AI-enabled technologies and telecommunications network equipment. Demonstrated experience advising on intangible technology transfers, including remote access, cloud hosting and global engineering support models. Knowledge of freight forwarder oversight and compliance requirements. Understanding of sanctions-driven export restrictions affecting technology, semiconductor and military end-use or end-user activities. Experience designing and implementing digital-first controls, workflow automation and centralised compliance frameworks. Strong analytical capability with experience identifying, assessing and mitigating export control compliance risks. Proven experience working within complex product portfolios and multiple jurisdictions, particularly in environments subject to US EAR and EU Regulation 2021/821. Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate technical regulatory requirements into practical business guidance. Experience working across multiple international markets with strong cross-cultural awareness. Fluency in English is essential. Additional language capabilities would be beneficial. Relevant degree qualification. Professional certifications, memberships, or qualifications in trade compliance are advantageous, including ICA, ITI, CIEX, or recognised export control accreditations relating to US EAR/BIS. Not a perfect fit? Concerned you may not meet every requirement? Vodafone is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. If you are excited about this role but your experience does not align exactly with every aspect of the job description, you are encouraged to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or another opportunity, and the recruitment team will support you in exploring where your skills fit best. What's in it for you Hybrid way of working: 2 days from office per week (8 per month) Medical and dental services Life and hospitalization insurance Dedicated employee phone subscription Take control of your benefits and choose any of the following options: meal tickets / private pension / vacation vouchers / cultural vouchers - within the budget. Special discounts for gyms and retailers Annual Company Bonus Ongoing Education – we continuously invest in you to ensure you have everything needed to excel on the job and enhance your skills You get to work with tried and trusted web-technology We let you write your own story by planning vacations: go for a trip, experience new things, have fun, and enjoy your 23 days off. Special Paternal Program - 4 months of paid paternity leave What skills you will learn Advanced export licensing and classification expertise across global jurisdictions. Regulatory horizon scanning and interpretation of emerging export control requirements. Compliance transformation and process optimisation methodologies. Digital workflow design and automation for compliance management. Strategic stakeholder engagement across complex multinational organisations. Risk assessment and governance practices relating to technology, telecommunications, cloud and AI services. Incident response and escalation management within a global compliance framework. VOIS Equal Opportunity Employer Commitment Vodafone recognises and celebrates the value of diversity in building a workforce that reflects the customers and communities it serves. No form of discrimination is tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to, discrimination based on race, colour, age, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, ethnicity, disability, religion or belief, political affiliation, trade union membership, nationality, citizenship, indigenous status, medical condition, HIV status, neurodiversity, social origin, cultural background, marital or civil partnership status, or socio-economic background. Join Us At Vodafone, we’re working hard to build a better future. A more connected, inclusive and sustainable world. As a dynamic global community, it's our human spirit, together with technology, that empowers us to achieve this. We challenge and innovate in order to connect people, businesses, and communities across the world. Delighting our customers and earning their loyalty drive us, and we experiment, learn fast and get it done, together. With us, you can truly be yourself and belong, share inspiration, embrace new opportunities, thrive, and make a real difference. Alert Apply for Vodafone jobs only through the official Vodafone Careers website to avoid job scams and fraud. #JDEnhancedByTARA Follow us on social media and #StayConnected VOIS on LinkedIn VOIS on Facebook VOIS on Instagram