Director, Global Trade & Customs Advisory

In a senior leadership role, the Director, Global Trade & Customs Advisory drives growth, delivery excellence, and market positioning of the firm’s Global Trade practice. This role combines deep customs and global trade technical expertise with executive-level client advisory, revenue generation, and practice leadership responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Client Advisory and Engagement Leadership
  • Serve as a senior advisor to C-suite and executive-level trade, tax, supply chain, and finance leaders at multinational clients
  • Lead large-scale, complex Global Trade & Customs Advisory engagements for clients, including multi-country and multi-workstream programs
  • Provide strategic guidance across customs and trade areas, including:
    • Import/export compliance and governance
    • Tariff classification, valuation, and origin strategy
    • Free trade agreements and duty optimization
    • Trade remedies, enforcement risk, and regulatory change management
• Quality, Risk, and Technical Oversight
  • Ensure delivery of high-quality, defensible work products aligned with regulatory requirements and firm risk standards
  • Review and approve engagement scope, deliverables, and conclusions for technical accuracy and defensibility
  • Act as a senior escalation point for complex technical and regulatory matters
  • Ensure compliance with firm independence, quality, and risk management policies
• Leadership and Practice Development
  • Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing Global Trade professionals across all levels
  • Build and scale Global Trade talent capabilities, including technical training and career development initiatives
  • Collaborate effectively within a matrixed organization, partnering with Tax, Supply Chain, Technology, and Advisory leadership
  • Drive revenue generation, client relationship management, and overall Global Trade practice growth

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, International Business, Finance, Information Systems, or a related field; advanced degree preferred
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in customs and global trade, including significant experience in a professional services environment
• Deep technical expertise in U.S. and international customs and global trade regulations
• Proven experience leading Global Trade technology implementations and large-scale advisory engagements
• Demonstrated success in revenue generation, client relationship management, and practice growth
• Strong executive-level communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills

Pay

The base salary for this position in the Metro DC – Arlington location is between $234,986 and $255,420. Placement within the pay range is at Grant Thornton’s discretion and is based on multiple factors, including job-related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, progression within the role, geographic location, and internal equity.

Schedule

Consistent with the firm's hybrid work model, this position will require in-person attendance at least three days per week, either at a Grant Thornton office or client site.

Benefits

• Personalized and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance programs
• Employee assistance program
• Paid sick leave (minimum of 72 hours)
• Paid firm holidays that fall within the employment period
• Eligibility to participate in the firm’s 401(k) savings plan and employee retirement plan (for seasonal employees, subject to applicable plan terms and eligibility requirements)
• Discretionary, annual bonus based on individual and firm performance (for eligible employees, subject to terms and conditions)
• Work-life integration options, including flexible work location and schedule

About Us

Grant Thornton delivers professional services through two specialized entities: Grant Thornton LLP, a licensed CPA firm providing audit and assurance services, and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC, which offers non-attest services including tax and advisory. In 2025, Grant Thornton formed a multinational, multidisciplinary platform with Grant Thornton Ireland, creating a premier Trans-Atlantic advisory and tax practice with independent American and Irish audit practices. The platform generates $2.7 billion in revenues and operates across more than 50 offices in the U.S., Ireland, and other territories, supported by 12,000 professionals. Grant Thornton is part of the Grant Thornton International Limited network, providing access to member firms in over 150 global markets.

About The Team

The Global Trade practice empowers professionals to thrive through flexible work options, including hybrid work models, personalized well-being support, and career-growth opportunities. The team is committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring all identities and aspirations are recognized and valued.