Director Counsel - Regulatory (Customs & Trade)

Target • Minneapolis, MN

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Within Target Legal Affairs, the Regulatory team supports business and compliance partners across a wide range of regulatory areas. This position focuses on customs and international trade matters impacting Target’s global sourcing and import operations. As Director Counsel – Regulatory (Customs & Trade), you will serve as a lead legal advisor supporting one of the largest retail importers in the United States. You will counsel business and compliance partners on complex, high-impact trade matters in a rapidly evolving global environment. You will operate as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and cross-functional partners, providing strategic, practical guidance on tariffs, trade remedies, and duty optimization strategies, while helping the business navigate risk, cost, and operational considerations. This role requires strong collaboration and partnership across teams, with an emphasis on building relationships and influencing outcomes across the enterprise.

Requirements

• J.D. degree from an accredited law school
• Admitted to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction; eligible for admission to the Minnesota bar
• 7+ years of relevant experience in customs and international trade law, with significant exposure to complex tariff regimes, trade remedies, and global supply chain considerations
• Demonstrated experience advising on tariffs, AD/CVD matters, and duty mitigation strategies
• Proven ability to serve as a trusted advisor to senior business leaders, providing clear, strategic guidance on high-impact regulatory issues
• Experience working cross-functionally with supply chain, sourcing, finance, tax, compliance, and government affairs teams, with the ability to influence outcomes and drive alignment
• Experience engaging with U.S. trade agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Commerce, and the International Trade Commission, and managing regulatory inquiries or enforcement matters
• Strong business judgment with the ability to balance legal risk, financial impact, and operational considerations
• Experience managing outside counsel and external advisors

Nice To Haves

• Customs Broker License strongly preferred

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic, risk-based, compliance-focused legal advice on U.S. customs and international trade matters impacting import and export operations, including classification, valuation, country of origin, free trade treatment, tariff application, and related considerations
• Advise business partners on tariffs and trade remedies, including antidumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD), and help assess sourcing implications, risk exposure, and mitigation strategies
• Counsel on and help structure duty mitigation and recovery programs, including tariff engineering, protests, and other lawful strategies, balancing financial benefit with legal and reputational risk
• Partner closely with Global Supply Chain, Sourcing, and Compliance teams to integrate legal guidance into business decisions, including new sourcing strategies, international expansion, and cross-border initiatives
• Serve as a key advisor to Finance, Accounting, and Tax partners on tariff-related financial exposure, recoveries, and related considerations
• Provide counsel in connection with government inquiries, audits, investigations, and enforcement actions, and help manage related strategies in coordination with internal stakeholders and outside counsel
• Build and maintain effective relationships with government agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Commerce, and the International Trade Commission, as well as external advisors
• Monitor and interpret evolving global trade laws, tariff regimes, and geopolitical developments, proactively advising senior leaders on business impacts
• Develop and deliver clear, practical guidance, training, and tools to support consistent application of trade compliance requirements across the enterprise
• Provide strategic oversight of trade and customs litigation, including evaluating opportunities to initiate actions, directing case strategy, and managing outside counsel and potential recoveries

Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits and programs (medical, vision, dental, life insurance)
• 401(k)
• Employee discount
• Short term disability
• Long term disability
• Paid sick leave
• Paid national holidays
• Paid vacation

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree