Head of Illicit Trade Prevention - South & South-East Asia (SSEA)

Head of Illicit Trade Prevention – South & South East Asia
📍 Manila, Philippines

Have you led complex investigations into transnational crime, smuggling networks, counterfeiting, or illicit trade? Ready to apply that expertise at a strategic, regional level—with real commercial and societal impact?

A global industry leader is seeking a senior investigative and intelligence professional to lead Anti-Illicit Trade (AIT) strategy across South & South East Asia. This is a high-impact role for candidates with backgrounds in FBI, DEA, Homeland Security, federal law enforcement, customs, or international investigations.

🔍 What you’ll be doing
Leading sophisticated investigations into illicit trade, diversion, and counterfeiting
Building and managing intelligence networks across multiple jurisdictions
Partnering with law enforcement, customs authorities, regulators, and intergovernmental bodies
Driving enforcement-focused regulatory engagement and deterrence strategies
Translating intelligence into actionable, executive-level decisions
Managing external investigative partners and ensuring governance and compliance

🎯 Who this role is ideal for
Former or transitioning Law enforcement / FBI / DEA / federal law-enforcement professionals
Experts in financial crime, organised crime, narcotics, customs enforcement, or brand protection
Strategic thinkers ready to move from case-led work into regional leadership
Professionals with experience in complex supply chains, FMCG or pharmaceutical environments (preferred)

🌏 Why this opportunity stands out
Regional mandate with real authority and influence
Direct engagement with senior leadership and external agencies
Opportunity to shape anti-illicit trade frameworks at scale
Based in Manila, at the centre of a critical global trade corridor

If you’re motivated by impact, complexity, and leadership—and want to take your investigative expertise into a global strategic role—this could be your next move.

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The Role
Join this global leader in their industry to safeguard the Company from legal and reputational risks by ensuring that genuine products are not diverted into illicit channels, protect the value of brands against counterfeiting, support the market in defending against lost revenue due to illicit trade, and contribute to positioning the Company as a credible partner for law enforcement and government authorities.

Key responsibilities

• Rollout and execution: In alignment with the local management business priorities and ITP global and regional objectives, execute ITP strategies to address key illicit trade issues with a focus on defending business and protecting the integrity of products.
• Investigations and Enforcement: Manage investigative consultants and projects, generate information on illicit activities and criminal networks involved in illegal manufacturing and/or distribution. Build compelling evidence and intelligence packages for enforcement and policy engagement to deliver on objectives and KPIs.
• Crafting, designing and executing investigation & enforcement strategies and action plans, ensuring they are conducted in compliance with ITP’s Private Investigations Functional Standards.
• Coordination and Activation: Coordinate all ITP related activities and activate the relevant central ITP Centres of Expertise including ITP’s Forensics, Supply chain Integrity, Trade Practices, Research, anti-illicit trade (inc. Tracking & Tracking) policy crafting and regulatory engagement, advocacy and communications, etc. to ensure the adequate response to issues and optimal support to the management team, as well as other departments including External Affairs (EA) / Corporate Affairs (CA), L&C and the business.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Engage with national (and where relevant international) law enforcement organisations, NGOs and IGOs, (intergovernmental organisations) and provide support by conducting capability building activities and position as a credible partner for law enforcement, government authorities and society in the fight against illicit trade.
• Policy & regulations: Promote regulatory frameworks enhancing enforcement and deterrence against illicit trade perpetrators, and support broader, adjacent External Affairs (EA) regulatory objectives.
  
  The Person

• Very strong background in brand protection, investigations and/or law enforcement.
• Deep understanding of various types of illegal trade and (financial) crimes. A strong background in brand protection, investigations, enforcement and engagement with authorities, including law enforcement, is critical for the role.
• Knowledge of the pharmaceuticals, FMCG, operations and logistics is preferred
• The ability to develop and execute effective anti-illicit trade programs, including risk assessment, intelligence gathering, and collaboration with relevant stakeholders, is essential
• Forging and maintaining relations of trust with stakeholders, partners, and external authorities is key to the role.
• Excellent communication skills are necessary to effectively communicate the risks and impacts of illicit trade to different audiences, incl. senior management and external stakeholders
• Strong project management skills to manage sensitive investigative projects are vital for the role
• A strong ethical compass is critical to maintain integrity and ensure compliance with relevant policies and standards while combating illicit trade

Fluent English (written and oral) and local language