Rolls-Royce
Head of Customs
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Job Description Head of Customs
Washington or Derby
(global oversight remit, key global sites in US, Germany, Singapore, France, India)
Hybrid – minimum 3 days on site
Full Time
An exciting opportunity has become available for a driven, experienced customs and trade leader to join the Tax and Customs Group. The role forms part of the Senior Leadership Team, reporting into the Director of Group Financial Control and Tax.
With significant cross-border operations, over 150,000 declarations annually, and £28 billion in product movements, this is a critical opportunity to shape and lead our customs strategy as we look to optimise and digitise our customs compliance function.
The Head of Customs is accountable and responsible for supporting the company in meeting its customs obligations by overseeing the effective delivery of all import/export activities, and ensuring compliance to related Customs authorisations, policies and procedures.
You will be instrumental in driving compliance, efficiency, and innovation, collaborating closely with logistics, procurement, and other business partners to future-proof our customs operations primarily in the UK and globally.
What you will be doing:
- Leadership: As a tax leader, model the Rolls-Royce behaviours and leadership expectations and play a role in the leadership across the tax team contributing to team development and functional strategy. Managing and leading the UK & US Customs managers and the UK Senior Customs analyst team. Act as the lead interface with Tax Authority Customs relationship.
- Compliance: Ensure ongoing compliance with customs regulations (UK, EU, US, SG, DE, FR, IN), actively managing and maintaining existing customs authorisations including Inward Processing (IP) and Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) and securing new authorisations where required.
- Strategic Guidance: Act as the subject-matter expert on the impact of changing trade regulations, including US tariffs, advising and supporting the business and ensuring risk mitigation.
- Business Partnering: Work in partnership with logistics, procurement, and other functions to embed best practices, identify and deliver training needs, and support cross-functional projects.
- Centralisation & Transformation: Lead the transition from a decentralised customs operational model to a unified, efficient, and technology-enabled global function.
- Process Improvement: Oversee the automation of manual customs processes, particularly through customs e-filing and the adoption of AI-driven tariff classification tools.
- Risk & Audit: Initiate and oversee risk assessments, internal audits, and corrective actions in all areas of customs compliance. Act as the lead interface with Tax Authority audits.
- Performance Management: Track, report, and improve on key compliance, efficiency, and cost-reduction KPIs. Manage performance and relationship with our Customs brokerage partners.
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Preferred qualifications:
- Degree level qualification or equivalent.
- Established background working in Customs within Industry, Government or practice.
- Experience of business partnering.
- Experience managing relationships with Tax authorities.
Preferred requirements:
- Strong proven background in customs and trade compliance within our business or similar global operations, with hands-on working experience of managing declarations and customs regimes (AEO, IP).
- In-depth knowledge of customs classification, Valuation and origin rules, frontier clearance procedures and relief mechanisms.
- Working knowledge of SAP ERP and/or self-filing customs tools valued; experience with process automation or digital transformation preferred.
- Enhanced IT skills/insight including understanding of data consolidation, analytical competence, report generation.
- Ability to develop and implement strategic and tactical solutions to deliver enhanced customs compliance.
- Track record of delivering change management, business process and data system developments.
- Demonstrated ability to lead teams through change, harmonise processes, and encourage knowledge-sharing.
- Able to review unstructured processes, develop solutions, and make data-driven decisions.
- Effective communicator, comfortable influencing at all levels, and confident working with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment.
Why join Rolls-Royce?
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At Rolls-Royce we are proud to be a business that has truly helped to shape the modern world and are committed to always being a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere.
By joining Rolls-Royce, you'll have the opportunity to work on world-class solutions, supported by a culture that believes individuality is our greatest strength, and all perspectives, experiences and backgrounds help us innovate and enable our high-performance culture.
Regional benefits:
- Generous Annual Leave
- Retirement Savings through the Rolls-Royce Retirement Savings Trust
- Group Life Assurance provides for a lump sum benefit if you die whilst employed by Rolls-Royce Group
- Income Protection provides an income in the event that you are unable to work due to illness or injury
Your Shares:
Matched is a simple way to own Rolls-Royce shares and invest in our future, together. Buy one share, get one free!
Our vision is to ensure that the excellence and ingenuity that shaped our history continues into our future. Our multi-year transformation programme aims to turn Rolls-Royce into a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing company.
Join us, and it can be your future vision too.
Rolls-Royce are committed to being a respectful, inclusive, and non-discriminatory workplace where individuality is valued, diverse perspectives fuel innovation, and everyone can thrive.
Please be aware that the priority will be given to employees identified as being at high risk.
The professional level and salary of the position will be dependent on the skills and experience of the successful candidate but is anticipated to be Level B.
This job is advertised at the grades shown, and this is the desired operating level for this role. We encourage applications from candidates with relevant experience from any grade.
It is advised that you inform your current manager of your application for this role.
Closing date: 26th July 2026
Job Category: Finance
Posting Date: 13 Jul 2026; 00:07
Posting End Date: 26 Jul 2026
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