Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for an Export Control Administrator

🎯 Role Definition

An Export Control Administrator is a vital compliance professional responsible for ensuring an organization's adherence to all U.S. and international export laws and regulations. This role serves as the subject matter expert on trade compliance, managing the entire lifecycle of export transactions from classification and licensing to screening and record-keeping. You will act as a strategic partner to business units, enabling global business opportunities while meticulously mitigating risk and safeguarding the company against potential violations of complex regulations like the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Trade Compliance Coordinator
Logistics or Shipping Specialist
Paralegal (with a focus on international trade)

Advancement To:

Senior Export Control Administrator / Manager
Global Trade Compliance Manager
Director of International Trade Compliance

Lateral Moves:

Import Compliance Specialist
Supply Chain Security Analyst
Contracts Administrator or Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Analyze and determine the correct export jurisdiction and classification (e.g., USML Category, ECCN) for a wide range of company products, software, and technologies.
Prepare, submit, and manage all necessary export license applications, agreements (TAAs/MLAs), and other government authorizations through systems like DECCS, SNAP-R, and DTRADE.
Conduct comprehensive denied party, sanctions, and proliferation screenings for customers, vendors, and other transaction partners using specialized software and government lists.
Develop, implement, and maintain robust corporate export compliance policies, procedures, and work instructions to ensure consistent adherence to regulatory requirements across the organization.
Serve as the primary point of contact and subject matter expert for internal stakeholders, including engineering, sales, marketing, and logistics, providing guidance on export control matters.
Meticulously review and approve international shipments, sales orders, visitor requests, and technology transfers for full compliance with U.S. export regulations and license conditions.
Establish and maintain a systematic and auditable record-keeping system for all export licenses, shipping documentation, and compliance-related activities as required by law.
Lead or support internal audits and risk assessments of the company's export compliance program to identify potential vulnerabilities and implement corrective action plans.
Design and deliver engaging and effective export compliance training programs for employees across various departments to foster a strong, organization-wide culture of compliance.
Continuously monitor and analyze changes to U.S. and international export laws (ITAR, EAR, OFAC sanctions) and advise management on their potential impact on business operations.
Provide expert guidance on complex export scenarios, including deemed exports/re-exports, technology transfers, and activities involving foreign national employees and visitors.
Manage and track the status of all active export licenses and agreements, ensuring all provisos, conditions, and reporting requirements are met in a timely manner.
Collaborate with freight forwarders and customs brokers to ensure that Electronic Export Information (EEI) is filed accurately and on time through the Automated Export System (AES).
Investigate and document any potential export compliance irregularities or violations, and assist in the preparation of voluntary disclosures to government agencies when necessary.
Support the integration of export compliance controls and requirements into the company's enterprise resource planning (ERP) and other business systems.
Review international travel and presentation requests to ensure that no controlled technical data is improperly disclosed.
Classify and manage controlled technical data, ensuring it is properly marked and stored in secure, access-controlled environments.
Support business development and proposal activities by providing early-stage assessments of export licensing requirements and strategies for new international programs.
Act as a key liaison with government regulatory agencies (e.g., Department of State, Department of Commerce) regarding license applications, policy interpretations, and official inquiries.
Evaluate end-user statements and other documentation to determine the legitimacy of international transactions and mitigate diversion risks.

Secondary Functions

Assist the Legal department in reviewing and negotiating export control clauses in customer contracts, non-disclosure agreements, and supplier terms.
Participate in cross-functional project teams to provide trade compliance expertise for new product introductions or market expansions.
Support the company's import compliance activities by assisting with HTS classification and customs-related inquiries as needed.
Contribute to the development and reporting of key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of the trade compliance program.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Deep subject matter expertise in U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
Proven experience in determining export classifications, including ECCN and USML Category determination.
Direct experience preparing, submitting, and managing export licenses and agreements.
Proficiency using U.S. Government export systems, such as SNAP-R, DTRADE, and DECCS.
Experience with Automated Export System (AES) for Electronic Export Information (EEI) filings.
Comprehensive understanding of OFAC, BIS, and DDTC sanctions programs, embargoes, and various restricted party lists.
Familiarity with trade compliance management software and screening tools (e.g., Visual Compliance, Descartes).

Soft Skills

Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy in all aspects of work, from classification to record-keeping.
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to interpret complex legal regulations and apply them to practical business situations.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex compliance concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism when handling sensitive and controlled information.
Superior organizational and time-management skills, with a proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree or Juris Doctor (J.D.)
U.S. Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) or Certified U.S. Export Compliance Officer (CUSECO)

Relevant Fields of Study:

International Business or Trade
Law / Paralegal Studies
Supply Chain Management
Political Science / International Affairs

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-7 years of direct, hands-on experience in an export control, trade compliance, or related role.

Preferred:

Experience within the aerospace, defense, high-tech, or manufacturing industries is highly desirable.
U.S. Citizenship is often required for positions involving access to ITAR-controlled technology or data.