Head of International Customs & Trade Practice
British Chambers of Commerce – Trade Services
Location: Preference is London-based, but fully flexible or hybrid working arrangements may be considered. The role will also require attendance at approximately eight in-person Trade Services meetings each year, together with occasional travel for Chamber Network visits and client consultancy delivery.
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Salary: BCC Salary Band 4
Reporting to: Deputy Director of Trade Services
About the British Chambers of Commerce and ChamberCustoms
The British Chambers of Commerce represents and supports a network of accredited Chambers of Commerce across the UK and internationally.
ChamberCustoms is a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Chambers of Commerce and provides customs clearance, customs consultancy, training and wider international trade support to businesses across the UK.
The successful candidate will be employed by the British Chambers of Commerce and will work primarily within ChamberCustoms and the wider Trade Services directorate.
The Role
We are seeking an experienced customs and international trade professional to provide senior technical and people leadership within our International Customs & Trade Practice.
The Head of International Customs & Trade Practice will strengthen the technical capability, quality and resilience of the team and act as a senior technical authority and escalation point for complex customs, compliance and international trade matters.
Working closely with the Head of Training & Consultancy, the postholder will lead selected complex consultancy engagements, support the development of new advisory services and contribute to the continued commercial growth of ChamberCustoms.
This is a senior and influential role, combining technical leadership, consultancy delivery, people management, strategic service development and external stakeholder engagement.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will:
- Provide senior technical leadership across customs, international trade compliance and border-related matters.
- Lead selected complex and strategically important client consultancy engagements.
- Act as an escalation point for complex technical and compliance matters.
- Provide technical assurance across consultancy advice, reports, methodologies and client outputs.
- Line manage and develop a team of Customs Executives and Customs Specialists.
- Support the development of new consultancy products, methodologies and scalable advisory services.
- Identify emerging legislation, client requirements and commercial opportunities.
- Build trusted relationships with senior clients, HMRC, government departments, Chambers of Commerce and industry stakeholders.
- Represent ChamberCustoms at conferences, industry forums, government meetings and stakeholder events.
- Develop thought leadership through publications, webinars, presentations and speaking engagements.
- Support high standards of compliance, quality assurance and continuous professional development across the Trade Services team.
About You
You will have extensive experience independently leading complex customs and international trade consultancy engagements for a diverse range of organisations.
You will also have:
- Recognised technical expertise across UK customs legislation and international trade compliance.
- Strong knowledge of customs valuation, tariff classification, origin, special procedures, strategic controls and border processes.
- Experience leading compliance activity within complex customs environments.
- Experience managing, developing or coaching technical professionals.
- The ability to build relationships with senior clients, government departments, industry bodies and strategic partners.
- Strong commercial awareness and the ability to translate technical expertise into practical and commercially sustainable advisory services.
- Excellent communication, presentation, influencing and project-management skills.
Experience of developing a specialist consultancy or technical practice, supporting HMRC compliance audits, advising on the Windsor Framework, or working across areas such as Free Trade Agreements, CBAM, sanctions and export controls would be advantageous.
How to Apply
The full Job Description and Person Specification, together with further information about the role and application process, are available on the British Chambers of Commerce website.
To apply, please submit your CV and covering letter.
https://www.britishchambers.org.uk/careers/head-of-international-customs-trade-practice/
Application closing date: 14th August 2026
The British Chambers of Commerce is committed to creating an inclusive working environment and welcomes applications from candidates with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
Work Location: Hybrid remote in London SW1H 9EU
