About Umicore
Powering the cars of today and tomorrow. Reducing harmful emissions. Giving unique properties to high-end applications. Giving new life to used metals. As a global advanced materials and recycling group, we develop, produce, and recycle materials for a better life.
About Corporate Functions
A global organisation. It’s not just those in our industrial sites and technical centres that are vital to Umicore’s growth. Across our corporate functions we ensure that we continue to grow and evolve – whether it’s by making sure our decisions are commercially viable, enhancing our reputation, building new customer relationships or finding the right people who can build on what we’ve already achieved. The variety of our work means we cannot stand still. We need to find new ways to do things, discover new solutions and develop new ideas. Which is where you come in.
What you will be doing
As Global Head of Export Controls and Sanctions (EC&S), you play a critical role in safeguarding Umicore's ability to operate across international markets, responsibly, compliantly, and with strategic foresight. Reporting directly to the Director of Transport & Trade Compliance, you will be the architect and owner of Umicore's global export control and sanctions compliance framework, and the authoritative voice on EC&S matters across the organisation.
Reporting to the Director Transport and Trade Compliance the role can be based in our office in Brussels or Hoboken in Belgium with regular presence on both locations.
This is a unique opportunity to shape and elevate Umicore's global EC&S function, strengthening the team, establishing global policies and operating standards, and embedding a robust Internal Compliance Programme (ICP) into the fabric of Umicore's operations worldwide.
Responsibilities:
- Strategic Leadership & Framework Governance: Define, maintain, and continuously improve Umicore's global EC&S compliance framework, encompassing risk assessments, policy, standard operating procedures, and working instructions (ICP). Ensure the framework meets regulatory requirements across all relevant jurisdictions (EU, US/OFAC/BIS, APAC, and others) and is subject to regular review and audit. Translate evolving regulations into a clear, actionable roadmap aligned with Umicore's corporate objectives and values.
- Team Leadership & Capability Building*: Sharpen roles, set performance objectives, and elevate the team's technical capabilities. Deliver EC&S training programmes for regional teams and Business Units, fostering a culture of compliance awareness and proactive risk management across Umicore.
- Subject Matter Expertise & Advisory: Serve as Umicore's primary subject matter expert on export control and sanctions, advising the Director, Regional Managers, Business Units, and senior leadership on high-risk transactions, new market entries, and complex supply chain configurations. Monitor the evolving regulatory landscape, including sanctions updates, new export control regulations, and geopolitical developments, and proactively assess the impact on Umicore's operations and strategic positioning. Support audit preparation and execution for EC&S-related regulatory audits and coordinate with external regulators, government affairs, and legal counsel.
- Sanctions Screening, Product Classification & Export Licensing: Establish and govern global sanctions screening standards: thresholds, escalation protocols, tool configuration, and quality assurance, ensuring consistency across all regions. Define and maintain a structured approach to product classification under applicable export control regimes, including dual-use goods assessment and harmonised classification across Umicore's product portfolio. Oversee the end-to-end export licensing process: applications, renewals, end-use monitoring, and authority communications. Provide authoritative guidance on restricted-party screening and resolve complex classification and licensing cases with rigour and precision.
- Digitalisation & Continuous Improvement: Define EC&S business requirements for the Global Trade Management (GTM) system, including screening automation, reporting, and audit trail capabilities. Develop and track EC&S KPIs, and drive continuous process improvement across regions.
Who we are looking for
Requirements:
- 10+ years of proven experience in export control and sanctions compliance, ideally within a multinational industrial, materials, or technology environment. Experience in a listed company, regulated sector, or specialised consultancy is a plus.
- Master's degree in Law, International Relations, Political Science, Business, or a related discipline.
- Deep knowledge of EU, US, and China export control regulations (EU Dual-Use Regulation, EAR, ITAR, China export controls framework) and sanctions frameworks (EU Sanctions, OFAC).
- Demonstrated experience building and managing an Internal Compliance Programme (ICP) in line with regulatory requirements and best practices.
- Hands-on experience with sanctions screening tools, export licence applications, and engagement with regulatory authorities.
- Familiarity with trade compliance management systems (e.g., SAP GTS, AEB, or similar).
- Knowledge of dual-use goods classification, particularly in the context of metals, catalysts, or specialty materials.
- Strong strategic thinking and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex regulations into pragmatic, clear business guidance.
- Excellent stakeholder management and interpersonal skills, with a track record of building trust with senior executives, regulatory bodies, and cross-functional partners in an international context.
- Rigorous, detail-oriented, and stress-resistant, able to manage high-stakes compliance decisions under time pressure.
- Proactive and forward-looking: you anticipate regulatory changes and their business impact before they arrive.
- Excellent verbal and written knowledge of English. French and/or Dutch is an asset.
- You take ownership with a hands-on, flexible, and problem-solving mindset, communicate openly as a team player, and demonstrate exemplary behaviour towards ethics and integrity. You are available to travel globally.
What we offer
We aim to lead the way. Not just for our customers, but for our employees too. That is why we strive to create a collaborative environment in which we can all succeed, and a culture through which we can all share ideas, develop our expertise and advance our careers. We engage in building an inclusive work culture that offers equal opportunities for all employees irrespective of their diverse backgrounds. As you would expect from a world-leading organisation, we will also reward your contribution with a competitive salary and benefits. With all this and more, imagine what you could do?
IF WE CAN BECOME A WORLD LEADER IN RECYCLING AND CLEAN MOBILITY, IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD DO?
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