Compliance Manager

The export compliance manager is the person who owns the program — classification decisions, screening processes, license applications, training, and audit response. At most SMBs, this role sits inside legal, finance, or operations, and the person doing it inherited the job without formal export compliance training. BIS expects a named compliance officer with defined authority, a written compliance program, and direct access to senior management. OFAC's framework document describes similar expectations. The role has expanded significantly since 2022: more sanctions programs, more Entity List additions, more jurisdictions with their own export control requirements. We cover what the job actually requires day-to-day, the qualifications that matter, realistic salary benchmarks, and how to structure the role inside a company that can't afford a full-time dedicated hire.