Trade Compliance Manager

About the Role & Team

The Manager, Trade Compliance, EMEA serves as the regional leader responsible for overseeing import, export, customs, sanctions, and trade compliance activities across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Supporting multiple business segments across The Walt Disney Company, this role provides strategic guidance, regulatory expertise, and operational oversight to ensure compliance with international trade requirements while enabling business growth.

As a key member of the Global Trade Services organization, the Manager partners with internal stakeholders, external service providers, and regulatory authorities to manage trade compliance risk, enhance operational efficiency, and drive continuous improvement initiatives across the region.

This role is based in our London Hammersmith office, with an expectation to work onsite four days per week.

Values

You’ll join a team grounded in our Disney values, acting with Integrity, welcoming everyone through Inclusion, embracing boundless Creativity, working together through Collaboration and caring deeply for our Community. These values shape how we work and how we support one another every day.

What You Will Do

• Lead and maintain the EMEA Trade Compliance program, including customs, export controls, sanctions compliance, and broker governance.
• Serve as the primary regional advisor on trade compliance matters, providing guidance on customs regulations, export controls, tariff classification, valuation, origin, and special customs procedures.
• Oversee compliance activities across the UK, EU, Middle East, and Africa, ensuring alignment with global policies and regulatory requirements.
• Manage relationships with customs brokers, freight forwarders, consultants, and external trade service providers.
• Lead compliance risk assessments, audits, investigations, disclosures, and corrective action initiatives as required.
• Drive trade technology, automation, reporting, and process improvement initiatives to enhance compliance and operational effectiveness.
• Monitor emerging regulatory developments and advise business partners on potential impacts and mitigation strategies.
• Develop and deliver compliance training, stakeholder communications, and governance forums across the region.
• Support strategic business initiatives, market expansion activities, and cross-functional projects requiring trade compliance expertise.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• 7+ years of experience in international trade compliance, customs, export controls, or global supply chain compliance.
• Strong knowledge of UK and EU customs regulations, export controls, sanctions compliance, customs valuation, tariff classification, and origin requirements.
• Experience managing customs brokers, freight forwarders, and external trade service providers.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives in a complex, matrixed organization.
• Strong analytical, project management, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with trade compliance systems, reporting tools, and business intelligence platforms.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills with the ability to engage stakeholders at all organizational levels.

Preferred

• Experience supporting multinational organizations within consumer products, retail, e-commerce, technology, media, or entertainment industries.
• Experience managing customs audits, regulatory inquiries, and compliance investigations.
• Familiarity with emerging global trade regulations, including EUDR, CBAM, supply chain due diligence, and forced labor requirements.
• Professional trade compliance certifications such as ACP, CCS, CES, CUSECO, Customs Broker License, or equivalent international credentials.
• Prior leadership experience managing people, programs, or regional compliance networks.

The Perks

• 25 days annual leave
• Private medical insurance & dental care
• Complimentary admission to eligible Disney Theme Parks, giving you the opportunity to experience the magic we create and make memories of your own. Admission is subject to availability, capacity restrictions, applicable rules, block-out dates, and eligibility requirements.
• Access to a wide range of Disney discounts on Disney merchandise, Disney Food & Beverage, Disney Resort Hotels, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney, National Geographic Expeditions, and more. Offerings are subject to availability and may be seasonal, and subject to applicable rules, restrictions, and eligibility requirements.
• Excellent parental and guardian leave
• Employee Resource Groups – WOMEN @ Disney, Disney Mosaic, Disney PRIDE, our disability & neurodiversity focused group - ENABLED, and our Mental Health & Wellbeing Group, TRUST.

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. Disney is committed to forming a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.