Export Control Manager
Date: Mar 30, 2026
Location: Bristol, GB
Company: GKN Aerospace Careers
Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.
GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn.in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.
Job Summary
An exciting and challanging position has arisen for an Export Control Manager at our Global Technology Centre Bristol.
Directly reporting into the Head (Senior Manager) of Export Control and Sanctions (EC) – Civil Business Line (and Fokker Group), this individual is part of the Export Control function with a dedicated focus on engineering and technology (E&T) processes. The E&T Export Control Manager (ECM) holds regional responsibility within the scope of the business line and E&T and utilizes explicit knowledge on export control and sanctions to guide and advise E&T and any stakeholders to enhance business line wide compliance. The E&T ECM actively contributes to the development of Policies and Procedures and leads and supports on broader GKN Aerospace activity within their region working closely with the Head EC – Civil Business Line (and Fokker Group). The E&T ECM has a functional reporting line to the UK GTC Director.
The role offers a hybrid working pattern of 3 days on site, 2 days remote.
How you'll contribute
The Export Control Manager is responsible for the following:
- Ensuring the implementation of the Export Control Policy, Procedures and Compliance Programme within E&T and Site(s).
- Leading the development, implementation and oversight of any E&T and Site level procedures, guidance, training and communication required to implement the export control Policy, Procedures and Compliance Programme.
- Preparation of regional procedures, guidance, training and communication materials consistent with the export control Policy, Procedures and Compliance Programme.
- Demonstrating excellent leadership capabilities, including facilitating the smooth operation of a matrix way of working.
- Provision of subject matter expertise to stakeholders Build strong relationships, contribute effectively and proactively to E&T performance in an advisory and expert capacity on Export Control and Sanction matters through leadership on the understanding of export control regulations across E&T and Site(s).
- Liaison with Business Line Export Control heads and Corporate Export Control on GKN Aerospace-wide compliance matters and initiatives applying across GKN Aerospace Business Lines.
- Conducting periodic risk assessments on the status of export control compliance and the collation of E&T and Civil Business Line compliance information and reporting to the Head of Export Compliance – Civil Business Line and Director UK GTC.
- Leading investigations into export control non-compliance, providing oversight and tracking of reports and investigations, review and approval of draft disclosures and tracking closure of corrective actions across E&T and Site(s).
- Responsible for E&T and Site(s) level communication with competent authorities, or communication with competent authorities in the E&T ECM’s region, as appropriate depending on the relevant matter and as determined by the Heads Export Compliance Business Line and Corporate Export Compliance in consultation with each other.
- Ensuring that all necessary export control and sanctions authorisations are in place to support the activities of E&T and Site(s) and, where required, region.
- Lead the identification, training and development of the Export Control Classification Engineers network in E&T and Site(s) Monitoring and keeping up to date with the export control regulations of all countries with which the organisation conducts business, including assessing the impact of sanctions.
- Advising the Head EC – Civil Business Line and Director UK GTC on any country specific issues and requirements. Acting as E&T export control contact for governments and export control associations where needed.
What You'll Bring
To help us make a difference, you’ll bring your passion and expertise/ talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:
Essential
- Experience in leading a team, particularly in organisations operating matrix structures and/or other situations in which organisational ambiguity may arise.
- Have a specialist knowledge of Export Control Regulations and Sanctions Experience in the classification of goods, software and technology in multiple Export Control regimes with a strong focus on intangible technology transfers (ITT).
- Possesses expert analytical skills and demonstrates risk and compliance awareness when supporting highly complex projects or advising on strategic decisions.
- Ability to lead and influence others to support the implementation and development of an export control compliance programme.
- Can communicate effectively to a range of audiences and is able to translate complex compliance issues for business colleagues.
- Recognises the importance of building effective relationships and establishing trust through collaboration both inside and outside of the export control function.
- Seeks to understand business priorities and context, effectively manages resources and effort to tailor business solutions.
- Is approachable and makes time to support and coach junior colleagues.
- Exercises good judgement and sound decision making even when not in possession of all the facts
- Can prioritise, delegate, supervise and monitor work carried out by Export Control Classification Engineers.
- Consistently role models the team’s values and fosters the values in the team.
- Provides regular feedback on performance and celebrates success.
- Has the ability to work on own initiative to get things done, able to plan organise and prioritise workload, keeping colleagues informed and managing expectations.
- A completer/finisher who can demonstrate work/life balance Embraces and demonstrates the GKN 5 culture principles.
Desirable
- Experience at either aerospace or defence organisations in the engineering environment.
- Experience with intangible technology transfers (ITT).
What we'll Offer
Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:
- Competitive salary dependent on experience
- Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to on a 1 : 1.5 basis (Company contribution Max 12%)
- Bonus STIP (25% max percentage)
- Life Assurance 8 x salary
- Car allowance £5,500 per annum
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays
- Flexible working hours including the ability to finish at 12noon on a Friday
- Income protection
- Shopping discounts
- Cycle To Work Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family
- A collaborative, dynamic working environment
We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?
A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working
Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.
We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.
We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.
