Regulatory Affairs Advisor- Customs & International Trade (maternity cover)

Seafish

Seafish

Compliance / Regulatory

GBP 41k-41k / year

Posted on Apr 17, 2026

Regulatory Affairs Advisor- Customs & International Trade (maternity cover)

We’re seeking a regulatory expert for maternity cover, supporting exports, advising on requirements and processes, and addressing trade challenges.



Quick overview of the role

  • Job status: This is a full-time, 12-month maternity cover role.
  • Location: Homebased (UK) or office-based in one of our offices in Grimsby or Edinburgh.
  • Salary: The salary range for this role is £41,000 per year.

What it’s like to work in Regulations team at Seafish

About Seafish

Seafish is here to give the UK seafood sector the support it needs to thrive. Our work makes a huge difference. We collaborate with a wide range of partners – from seafood businesses and trade bodies to government, regulators and environmental organisations – and we engage in everything from research to campaigns, insight and training.

About the Regulation Team

In the regulation team our job is to assist industry to comply with UK and international trade regulation, we are always looking for ways to reduce the burden on business, whilst ensuring that food is safe and the consumer gets the best quality seafood.

How we work

At Seafish we have a trust and performance culture. Performance driven results mean having autonomy and accountability in equal parts, so you can work in the way that’s most effective for you, as long as you deliver your work to the expected standards. You’ll have a personal development plan that outlines the objectives and competencies for your role and learning and development goals. You’ll have regular catch-ups with your line manager, along with mid-year and end of year reviews to discuss your work and performance.

We have a hybrid working environment at Seafish with opportunities for staff to get together at internal conferences and events.

Job role, responsibilities and relationships

This role will form part of the regulatory affairs team and lead on the following areas:

  • Supporting business to understand and comply with regulatory requirements to export to non-EU markets.
  • Supporting and advising on customs and border procedures between the UK and our main non-EU trading partners.
  • Working with government colleagues to remove trade barriers to exporting to non-EU countries.
  • Working with our Economics Trade Analysis service to understand the potential impact and opportunities of new Free Trade Agreements and report back to the government trade negotiation teams.

The main dimensions of the role are:

  • Working as part of a busy and dynamic team of regulatory professionals tasked with monitoring changes to regulation and official guidance along the entire seafood chain. You will be required to analyse and understand legislative text and to develop guidance material to help:
  • Industry compliance with trade related legislation in non-EU export markets; and
  • Government officials and policy teams in the UK to understand the unique characteristics of the seafood industry such as small consignments, high perishability, and any seafood specific regulation.
  • Establishing effective and constructive relationships with the seafood sector, government, enforcement agencies and regulators to facilitate a smooth trading environment and swift resolution of any trade issues as they arise.
  • Developing and maintaining contacts with UK/International trade organisations and governments, to share information on wider trading issues or proposals such as changes to logistics and customs.
  • Providing insight and guidance to the Seafish stakeholder engagement forums to enhance the customs and international trade advice.
  • Enhancing the regulatory affairs team input into Seafish’s international trade promotion work.
  • Acting as the point of contact for resolving international trade and customs issues.
  • Establishing a reputation as a provider of expert and independent advice on rules and procedures relating to international trade and customs.
  • Producing guidance material for the seafood sector on changes to the trading environment that may affect their business.
  • Working collaboratively with other Seafish teams to ensure work programme objectives are met and to contribute to the wider objectives of the organisation.
  • Responding to ad-hoc enquiries as required.

Planning and Decision-making attributes:

  • Have sufficient international seafood trade experience to be able to work with minimal training and supervision.
  • Be able to identify relevant information and be able to communicate and adapt the information to a wide variety of audience.
  • Have experience of convening workshops and facilitating discussions between stakeholders and policy makers.
  • Be able to manage their own work priorities, workload and diary commitments.
  • Have experience of working with communication professionals to ensure the work of the regulatory team is targeted, clearly communicated to the targeted audience.
  • Work with minimal supervision from your line manager. Using your own initiative and respond to any issues arising.
  • Identify new issues arising within the scope of work stream and manage the response, to include identifying and working with the appropriate people in industry and government. Using their judgement and referring upwards where there is significant political or financial risk.
  • Manage work priorities, workload and diary commitments, meetings, conferences etc.
  • The above is subject to the outputs set by line manager and monthly meetings to ensure work is within, and contributes to, achieving the work stream goals and corporate plan KPIs.

Essential working relationships will include:

Internal relationships

The post holder will be required to keep internal colleagues informed of current regulatory issues and developments in the seafood trading environment. They will work closely with our Economics Trade Analysis service to identify opportunities in new trade agreements. Also working closely with the international trade team and Industry Engagement team to inform them of changes to the seafood trading environment that could impact UK seafood businesses.

External relationships

This role requires effective relationship building and networking skills. It requires sector knowledge and contacts within industry and government to stay informed on the current trading environment.

The post holder must be able to communicate clearly to a variety of audiences to include:

  • All sectors of the seafood industry. This can be at all levels including Technical Managers, Directors, Chief Executives of businesses and trade bodies.
  • Government and regulators responsible for customs and border processes. This can be at all levels including enforcement officers, senior civil servants and MPs.
  • Active membership of UK and EU wide industry or government groups. This may involve chairing or secretariat responsibilities.

Internal and external communication will be via a range of media including face to face, video, webinars and presentations. The post holder will need to understand the audience and adjust content and method of delivery.

Knowledge, skills and experience required

To be a suitable candidate for this role you should have:

  • Extensive experience in an international seafood trade role.
  • Demonstratable knowledge of international trade processes such as contracts of supply, incoterms, customs declarations and border procedures.
  • Proven ability to research and support business to comply with product regulations in overseas markets
  • Knowledge of Free Trade Agreement negotiation and implementation would be an advantage.
  • Expert report writing skills and a high standard of literacy to understand legislation and write expert interventions and produce formal guidance documents accessible to a variety of audiences.
  • Competent IT systems usage.
  • Excellent problem solving and communication skills.
  • Organised and able to plan own workload and to prioritise work.
  • Experience communicating with diverse stakeholder groups and adapting communication materials or messages.
  • Experience using online communication tools (e.g., Teams, Zoom).
  • Experience producing or delivering briefings, reports, or presentations.

Special features

Willingness to travel within the UK some overnight stays. Occasional overseas travel.

Every role is Seafish is linked to our bespoke competency framework. The competency levels for this role are:

  • Growing Expertise – Creates a learning and development environment
  • Embracing Change – Shows the ability to adapt to change
  • Building Relationships – Builds links with others in order to develop and deliver the best solutions
  • Achieving Results – Leads team to achieve results
  • Influencing with Impact – Communicates complex messages

Salary and benefits

All roles within Seafish are classified and have defined salary bands. This role sits within Job Family C in our pay structure, and the starting salary is at £41,000. A new member’s appointment on the pay structure is dependent on the experience they bring to the role when they start. New candidates normally start at the lower end of the range unless they can demonstrate considerable experience in the requirements of the role.

Additional benefits include:

  • 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays and wellbeing break when the organisation closes between Christmas and New Year (3 additional days).
  • Optional five days per year paid volunteering leave for an activity of your choice.
  • Trust and Performance culture – you work in a way that suits you to get your work done to the expected standard.
  • A generous employer pension scheme – we'll double your contribution up to a maximum employer contribution of 10%.
  • A range of health and wellbeing benefits including Cycle to work scheme and Techscheme, life insurance including health and wellbeing support, gym discounts and eye care.
  • Our unlimited employee assistance scheme is a support service available 24/7 – it offers confidential, impartial advice on anything you need such as work, family, finance support or anything else personal to you.
  • A professional development culture with plenty of learning opportunities.

Application process

To apply for the post, you should email your application to recruitment@seafish.co.uk. Please include “Regulatory Affairs Advisor – Importer Engagement and Support” in the subject line of your email.

Your application should include:

  • A covering letter or a short video explaining why you are a suitable candidate.
  • A recent copy of your CV so we can find out more about your skills and experience.
  • A completed copy of our recruitment consent form.

The deadline for applications is Sunday 10 May 2026.

Candidates invited to interview will receive at least one week's notice of the proposed interview date to allow for adequate preparation. At this stage, you may be asked to complete a short task prior to the interview and answer competency-based questions during an online interview.

If you need any accommodations or adjustments during our recruitment and selection process, please reach out to us.

While we welcome applications from candidates around the world, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.

Further information

For any queries about the job description or the salary and benefits on offer, please email recruitment@seafish.co.uk.

See more open positions at Seafish