Assistant General Counsel, International Trade & Regulatory Matters

Responsibilities for this Position

Position Title: Assistant General Counsel, International Trade & Regulatory Matters

Location: Sterling Heights, MI, United States

Category: Legal, Contracts & Compliance

Job Type: Full-Time

Country: United States

State: MI

City: Sterling Heights

Remote Work Options: On-Site

Security Clearance Required: None

Career Level: Senior

Requisition ID: 17334574

Description: Company Information

At General Dynamics Land Systems we put our Customers at the center of everything we do. Our commitment to protect and enable the people who serve drives us to develop products and systems that give them a clear advantage for mission success. We are looking for passionate individuals to help us deliver innovative, unique solutions to our Customers.

What We Offer

Whether you are starting your career or an experienced professional, we offer a Total Rewards package that is impactful and built for you.

• Healthcare including medical, dental, vision, HSA and Flex Spending.
• Competitive base pay, incentive pay that rewards individual and team performance, and comprehensive benefits.
• 401k Match (6%).
• Educational Assistance.
• 9-80 Work Schedule (This position's standard work schedule is a 9/80. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off).
• Onsite Cafeteria, remodeled with new equipment Fitness Center, and Outdoor fitness track.

About the Role

This role will provide strategic legal guidance to support GDLS's international business activities, with a primary focus on trade and other regulatory compliance. The position requires close collaboration with various GDLS functions and requires experience in addressing legal and compliance issues related to establishing and maintaining business operations across multiple jurisdictions.

Responsibilities to Anticipate for this role

• Serve as a trusted legal advisor, supporting GDLS's global business activities by identifying and managing legal and compliance risks, with a focus on international trade compliance and anti-bribery/anti-corruption regulations.
• Provide timely, clear legal advice on complex regulatory matters, ensuring compliance with U.S. and international trade laws and regulations, including the EAR, ITAR, ATF, CBP, FCPA, OFAC, sanctions programs, and other import/export laws.
• Advise on and support the preparation of strategic export licenses, regulatory filings and government agency correspondence.
• Collaborate with a global team of trade compliance professionals and cross-functional business teams (e.g., Legal, Finance, HR, Engineering, IT, Security, Supply Chain, Business Development, Contracts and Programs) to align compliance processes with business goals.
• Support trade and regulatory compliance initiatives for continuous improvement by:
• Implementing technology tools to enhance operations.
• Conducting compliance assurance and risk assessments.
• Developing and delivering risk-based training and communications.
• Leading projects to improve efficiency and value contribution.
• Foster a culture of trade compliance and ethics while addressing emerging risk areas.
• Support additional legal projects as needed, including commercial contracts, vendor agreements and general corporate matters.
• Travel occasionally to GDLS sites for stakeholder engagement, training and process improvement.

Qualifications Sought

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school
• Licensed to practice law in the United States
• Licensed customs broker, preferred
• 7+ years of experience advising multinational businesses on legal trade compliance matters, including U.S. export controls and sanctions programs; defense industry experience preferred.

Required Skills And Experience

• Experience in advising on complex trade and regulatory compliance matters.
• Strategic thought leader with business acumen and ability to make good decisions based on sound judgment.
• Excellent and effective written and verbal communication skills, most importantly the ability to distill complex legal concepts into clear business terms.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Expertise in U.S. export/import and sanctions regulations.
• Knowledge of import compliance including Country of Origin determinations, valuation and HTS classifications, and tariff programs.
• Experience in managing outside counsel and budgets.
• Experience in working, managing and driving multi-functional projects to completion.
• Strong people and management skills.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with European and Middle East markets.
• Experience and knowledge of various compliance and risk areas such as anti-corruption, fraud, sanctions, antitrust, privacy/data protection, conflicts of interest, third-party risk, and whistleblower processes.
• Experience in establishing business operations in new jurisdictions.
• Familiarity with the U.S. Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFAR).

Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, General Dynamics is a global aerospace and defense company offering a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation; ship construction and repair; land combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; and technology products and services. General Dynamics employs more than 100,000 people across 65 countries worldwide and in all 50 U.S. states, more information is available at General Dynamics Land Systems, is a business unit of General Dynamics, and is an innovative leader of ground combat systems' equipment and software for our clients. Our performance-driven team partners with the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corp and other militaries across the Globe to ensure that next generation ground combat vehicles are ready to protect our fighting men and women in uniform. General Dynamics Lands Systems provides a competitive compensation package, site specific flexible work schedules, 401(k) with Company Match; Bonus Eligibility, Employee Development Opportunities, Tuition Reimbursement, On-site Amenities, and comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, General Dynamics Land Systems ("GDLS") provides all persons with equal opportunity and access to all aspects of employment process, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or membership in any group protected by federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws. GDLS also is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans.. If, due to a disability, you need an accommodation to search or apply for an opportunity with GDLS, please call 586-825-4000 or send an e-mail to for assistance and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.
Company Information

At General Dynamics Land Systems we put our Customers at the center of everything we do. Our commitment to protect and enable the people who serve drives us to develop products and systems that give them a clear advantage for mission success. We are looking for passionate individuals to help us deliver innovative, unique solutions to our Customers.

What We Offer

Whether you are starting your career or an experienced professional, we offer a Total Rewards package that is impactful and built for you.

• Healthcare including medical, dental, vision, HSA and Flex Spending.
• Competitive base pay, incentive pay that rewards individual and team performance, and comprehensive benefits.
• 401k Match (6%).
• Educational Assistance.
• 9-80 Work Schedule (This position's standard work schedule is a 9/80. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off).
• Onsite Cafeteria, remodeled with new equipment Fitness Center, and Outdoor fitness track.

About the Role

This role will provide strategic legal guidance to support GDLS's international business activities, with a primary focus on trade and other regulatory compliance. The position requires close collaboration with various GDLS functions and requires experience in addressing legal and compliance issues related to establishing and maintaining business operations across multiple jurisdictions.

Responsibilities to Anticipate for this role

• Serve as a trusted legal advisor, supporting GDLS's global business activities by identifying and managing legal and compliance risks, with a focus on international trade compliance and anti-bribery/anti-corruption regulations.
• Provide timely, clear legal advice on complex regulatory matters, ensuring compliance with U.S. and international trade laws and regulations, including the EAR, ITAR, ATF, CBP, FCPA, OFAC, sanctions programs, and other import/export laws.
• Advise on and support the preparation of strategic export licenses, regulatory filings and government agency correspondence.
• Collaborate with a global team of trade compliance professionals and cross-functional business teams (e.g., Legal, Finance, HR, Engineering, IT, Security, Supply Chain, Business Development, Contracts and Programs) to align compliance processes with business goals.
• Support trade and regulatory compliance initiatives for continuous improvement by:
• Implementing technology tools to enhance operations.
• Conducting compliance assurance and risk assessments.
• Developing and delivering risk-based training and communications.
• Leading projects to improve efficiency and value contribution.
• Foster a culture of trade compliance and ethics while addressing emerging risk areas.
• Support additional legal projects as needed, including commercial contracts, vendor agreements and general corporate matters.
• Travel occasionally to GDLS sites for stakeholder engagement, training and process improvement.

Qualifications Sought

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school
• Licensed to practice law in the United States
• Licensed customs broker, preferred
• 7+ years of experience advising multinational businesses on legal trade compliance matters, including U.S. export controls and sanctions programs; defense industry experience preferred.

Required Skills And Experience

• Experience in advising on complex trade and regulatory compliance matters.
• Strategic thought leader with business acumen and ability to make good decisions based on sound judgment.
• Excellent and effective written and verbal communication skills, most importantly the ability to distill complex legal concepts into clear business terms.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Expertise in U.S. export/import and sanctions regulations.
• Knowledge of import compliance including Country of Origin determinations, valuation and HTS classifications, and tariff programs.
• Experience in managing outside counsel and budgets.
• Experience in working, managing and driving multi-functional projects to completion.
• Strong people and management skills.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with European and Middle East markets.
• Experience and knowledge of various compliance and risk areas such as anti-corruption, fraud, sanctions, antitrust, privacy/data protection, conflicts of interest, third-party risk, and whistleblower processes.
• Experience in establishing business operations in new jurisdictions.
• Familiarity with the U.S. Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFAR).

Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, General Dynamics is a global aerospace and defense company offering a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation; ship construction and repair; land combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; and technology products and services. General Dynamics employs more than 100,000 people across 65 countries worldwide and in all 50 U.S. states, more information is available at General Dynamics Land Systems, is a business unit of General Dynamics, and is an innovative leader of ground combat systems' equipment and software for our clients. Our performance-driven team partners with the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corp and other militaries across the Globe to ensure that next generation ground combat vehicles are ready to protect our fighting men and women in uniform. General Dynamics Lands Systems provides a competitive compensation package, site specific flexible work schedules, 401(k) with Company Match; Bonus Eligibility, Employee Development Opportunities, Tuition Reimbursement, On-site Amenities, and comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, General Dynamics Land Systems ("GDLS") provides all persons with equal opportunity and access to all aspects of employment process, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or membership in any group protected by federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws. GDLS also is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans.. If, due to a disability, you need an accommodation to search or apply for an opportunity with GDLS, please call 586-825-4000 or send an e-mail to for assistance and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

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