Director, Global Trade & Customs Advisory

The Director, Global Trade & Customs Advisory in a senior leadership role responsible for driving 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.

The Director leads complex, multi-disciplinary engagements, serves as a trusted advisor to senior client executives, and plays a critical role in expanding the firm’s Global Trade footprint through go-to-market leadership, solution development, and talent development—helping clients navigate regulatory complexity with confidence.

Your day-to-day may include:

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

You have the following technical skills and qualifications:

• 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

• The base salary for this position in the Metro DC – Arlington location only is between $234,986 and $255,420.

About Us

At Grant Thornton, we believe in making business more personal and building trust into every result – for our clients and you. Here, we go beyond your expectations of a career in professional services by offering a career path with more: more opportunity, more flexibility, and more support. It’s what makes us different, and we think being different makes us better.

In the U.S., Grant Thornton delivers professional services through two specialized entities: Grant Thornton LLP, a licensed, certified public accounting (CPA) firm that provides audit and assurance services ― and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC (not a licensed CPA firm), which exclusively provides non-attest offerings, including tax and advisory services.

In 2025, Grant Thornton formed a multinational, multidisciplinary platform with Grant Thornton Ireland. The platform offers a premier Trans-Atlantic advisory and tax practice, as well as independent American and Irish audit practices. With $2.7 billion in revenues and more than 50 offices spanning the U.S., Ireland and other territories, the platform delivers a singular client experience that includes enhanced solutions and capabilities, backed by powerful technologies and a roster of 12,000 quality-driven professionals enjoying exceptional career-growth opportunities and a distinctive cross-border culture.

Grant Thornton is part of the Grant Thornton International Limited network, which provides access to its member firms in more than 150 global markets.

About the Team

The team you’re about to join is ready to help you thrive. Here’s how:

• Whether it's your work location, weekly schedule, or flex time off, we empower you with the options to work the way that it best serves your clients and your life. Consistent with the firm's hybrid work model, this position will require in-person attendance at least three days per week, either at a GT office or client site.

• Here, you are supported to prioritize your overall well-being through work-life integration options that work best for you and those in your household.

• We understand that your needs, responsibilities and experiences are different — and we think that’s a good thing. That’s why we support you with personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles and aspirations that make you, well, you. See how at

• When it comes to inclusion, we are committed to doing more than checking boxes. Explore all the ways we’re taking action for diversity, equity & inclusion at

Here’s what you can expect next:

If you apply and are selected to interview, a Grant Thornton team member will reach out to you to schedule a time to connect. We encourage you to also check out other roles that may be a good fit for you or get to know us a little bit better at

Benefits:

We understand that your needs, responsibilities and experiences are different, and we think that’s a good thing. That’s why we support you with personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles and aspirations that make you, well, you. For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit:

• Benefits for internship positions: Grant Thornton interns are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program. Interns also receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave and are paid for firm holidays that fall within their internship period.

• Benefits for seasonal employee positions: Grant Thornton seasonal employees are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program. Seasonal employees may also be eligible to participate in the firm’s 401(k) savings plan and employee retirement plan in accordance with applicable plan terms and eligibility requirements. Seasonal employees receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave.

Grant Thornton employees may be eligible for a discretionary, annual bonus based on individual and firm performance, subject to the terms, conditions and eligibility criteria of the applicable bonus plan or program. Interns and seasonal employees are not eligible for bonus compensation.

Additional Details:

It is the policy of Grant Thornton to promote equal employment opportunities. All personnel decisions (including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, working conditions, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, evaluations, and termination) are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital or civil union status, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic predisposition or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws, it is the policy of Grant Thornton to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. To make an accommodation request, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io.

For Los Angeles Applicants only: We will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

For Massachusetts Applicants only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Grant Thornton does not require or administer lie detector tests as a condition of employment or continued employment.