Head of Customs Compliance, Helicopters UK

Job Description:

Salary Range: £66,000- £90,000

Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.

Your Impact

Leonardo UK Ltd is seeking a Head of Customs Compliance, - Helicopters to work within its Trade Compliance Function to support the management and control of all aspects of UK Customs & UK Export Control .and Compliance.

As a Head of Customs Compliance, Helicopters you will provide business support services including advice and guidance to Leonardo Helicopters functions to ensure the company remains compliant with Customs and Excise Management Act, UK Export Control laws, US Export Control laws and other relevant laws and regulations.

Leonardo fully supports flexible/home working. With a home base at our Leonardo UK’s Yeovil facility, and a requirement to be on site 3 days a week as a minimum the role will involve some UK travel and possibly international travel.

Reporting to the Head of Customs Compliance UK, this role is responsible for the following:

• Executes central UK Customs Compliance strategy.
• Leads business partnering within the Helicopters division and heads the operational steerco.
• Manage escalated queries from the customs function, manage HMRC discussions at Unit (Helicopters) level and act as point of contact for new products and contracts.
• Ensures customs activities adhere to UK customs regulations and internal policies, identifying and mitigating specific risks within the division.
• Implements the customs compliance roadmap for the division, aligning with overarching company objectives.
• Supports central customs audits and conducts internal checks to maintain compliance standards.
• Delivers and facilitates customs training for relevant divisional stakeholders.

What you'll bring

The successful candidate will have good proven personal and interpersonal, organisational, time management and planning skills, as well as the ability to work within a multi- functional team. The ability to make independent decisions, demonstrating good problem solving, negotiating and influencing/mediating skills is essential, as are the drive and determination to achieve objectives.

The following skills and experience are required:

• Educated to a degree level, or hold a professional qualification, and at least 5 years’ demonstrable UK customs, licensing and audit experience
• An experienced practitioner withAn in-depth and detailed knowledge of UK Customs andKnowledge of UK Export Control laws and regulations.
• Prior involvement in regulatory audits.
• Strong interpersonal/influencing skills to support decision-making based on credible knowledge of Customs and International Trade.
• Presentation skills in order to deliver training
• Good all round computer literacy including Microsoft Office applications

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit:

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
• Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
• Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

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