[Hiring] Head of International Compliance @Kraken.com

Our Krakenites are a world-class team with crypto conviction, united by our desire to discover and unlock the potential of crypto and blockchain technology.

What makes us different?

Kraken is a mission-focused company rooted in crypto values. As a Krakenite, you’ll join us on our mission to accelerate the global adoption of crypto, so that everyone can achieve financial freedom and inclusion. For over a decade, Kraken’s focus on our mission and crypto ethos has attracted many of the most talented crypto experts in the world.

Before you apply, please read the Kraken Culture page to learn more about our internal culture, values, and mission.

As a fully remote company, we have Krakenites in 60+ countries who speak over 50 languages. Krakenites are industry pioneers who develop premium crypto products for experienced traders, institutions, and newcomers to the space. Kraken is committed to industry-leading security, crypto education, and world-class client support through our products like Kraken Pro, Kraken NFT, and Kraken Futures.

Become a Krakenite and build the future of crypto!

The Team

Our global Compliance team is redefining how compliance should be done - we challenge the norms and practices of the incumbent industry participants to identify ways to make Compliance at Kraken a competitive advantage. Our teams navigate the regulatory uncertainty and changing policy positions of global regulators and governments to help chart a path that ensures Kraken is successful in a dynamic industry.

The team embraces hyper-transparency, fostering an environment of open dialogue, candid discussions staying adaptable in the ever-evolving crypto industry whilst ensuring, at all times, that risk management remains a key driver as we expand and scale our market leading proposition and services globally.

The Opportunity

As the Head of International Compliance at Kraken you will be a key leader responsible for overseeing and coordinating the compliance functions across various regions globally. The role involves managing a team of Regional Compliance Officers (RCOs) to ensure the company's operations align with applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity and reputation of Kraken in the cryptocurrency market.

The ideal candidate should have experience leading in a high-growth, fast-moving crypto, fintech or exchange trading environment, with a deep understanding of requirements applicable to Kraken’s activity consistent with regulators’ requirements including anti-financial crimes (AML/CTF), markets and trading regulations relevant to crypto asset activities globally. The candidate must have prior regulated crypto services experience. She or he will deliver scalable solutions to help Compliance operate as an agile, regulatory tech, data driven machine. She or he will have a bias for action, focusing on automation and scalable business solutions that help Kraken to improve clients’ experience while complying with regulatory requirements. 

This role is based remotely in the EU and reports to the Global CCO.

The Opportunity

• Global Compliance Oversight:

  • Work with the Global and Regional Compliance as well as Regional Operations leadership teams to develop and implement a robust global compliance strategy to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements across jurisdictions where Kraken operates.

  • Provide strategic guidance to RCOs in interpreting and applying relevant laws and regulations and control frameworks.

  • Support the Kraken Product Team and Product Compliance on new product roll outs  by coordinating and harmonising advice on the compliance impacts and requirements associated with localized product launches.

  • Coordinate, manage or contribute to independent assessments and examinations of both the regional and global compliance programmes.

• Team Leadership and Coordination:

  • Lead, develop and manage a team of RCOs 

  • Foster a culture of compliance, ethical conduct, and continuous improvement within the compliance team at Group and local level.

  • Work closely with Kraken’s Executive Leadership to implement scalable operational compliance requirements across regions.

  • Monitor internal and external business, regulatory and technology environments to identify new or emerging compliance risks and verify remediation of issues as applicable.

  • Partner with the Managing Directors and Regional Operations executives to leverage regulatory technology, and scale operational efficiencies and controls for regional group entities.

  • Manage resources and budgeting aligned with Regional Operations and RCOs.

  • Develop and support RCOs to achieve career goals. 

• Policy Development and Implementation:

  • Collaborate with legal, policy and regulatory compliance teams to develop and update compliance policies and procedures.

  • Ensure consistent implementation of policies and procedures across all regions, focusing on implementation of the EU Markets in Crypto Asset Regulation.

• Reporting:

  • Oversee and harmonise regulatory reporting to relevant authorities in various jurisdictions.

  • Work with Regional Compliance Officers to keep abreast of changes in regulatory requirements and promptly update internal processes accordingly.

  • Maintain robust key performance and risk indicator reporting. 

• Training and Awareness:

  • Support the regulatory compliance team in developing and delivering employee compliance training programs.

  • Promote a culture of compliance awareness throughout the organization.

• Risk Assessment, Mitigation and Remediation::

  • Manage risk assessments to identify potential compliance risks and develop strategies to mitigate these risks.

  • Interface with global teams to ensure monitoring and surveillance programs detect and address risks consistent with local requirements.

  • Communicate findings, self-identified risks and recommendations to management and stakeholders regarding escalated or high-risk compliance issues.

  • Collaborate to enhance exam and audit management programs, and ensure resolution of findings.

  • Collaborate with the internal remediation and prioritization’s team. 

• Act as escalation point of contact to RCOs and MDs on regulatory compliance matters and help to design scalable solutions.

  • Oversee RCOs to ensure local entities’ compliance with applicable regulatory requirements 

  • Support RCOs with Board of Director and executive reporting. 

• Assess and oversee the implementation of new regulatory compliance requirements, perform regulatory horizon scanning, and advise executive management accordingly.

  • Coordinate and contribute to Markets in Crypto Asset Regulation strategy, design and implementation

  • Oversee obtaining and maintaining regulatory licenses and/or registrations, including proactive identification of changes required to maintain registrations or licenses.

  • Coordinate and liaise across Compliance to ensure alignment between global, regional and local compliance policies, procedures, and operations.

Skills you should HOLDL

• 10+ years in a regulatory or compliance position at a crypto, fintech or financial institution.

• Proven track record of successfully managing global compliance teams.

• Experience in managing licenses or registrations in at least 2 geos, preferably crypto or e-money.

• Previous experience in managing regulators and providing compliance program oversight.

• Comprehensive knowledge of the crypto asset regulatory environment, developments, and relevant registration and licensing requirements for crypto and adjacent financial services.

• Deep understanding of anti-money laundering and know-your-customer best practices including implementation of the EU Anti Money Laundering Directive.

• Executive presence including Board presentation skills.

• Comfort managing in a global, highly matrixed environment across various cultures.

• Strong understanding of E-money, MIFID and Multilateral Trading Facility related regulations.

• Tactical experience in managing independent audits and regulatory examinations.

• Skilled in collaborating with stakeholders at all levels across technical and non-technical groups.

• Experience developing policies and procedures that ensure hyper-growth innovation is advanced compliantly.

• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across different functional areas.

Nice to Have

• J.D., L.L.M. or other advanced degree ​

• Advanced professional certifications such as "CAMS", "CFE", etc.

#LI-Remote #LI-PE1

Kraken is powered by people from around the world and we celebrate all Krakenites for their diverse talents, backgrounds, contributions and unique perspectives. We hire strictly based on merit, meaning we seek out the candidates with the right abilities, knowledge, and skills considered the most suitable for the job. We encourage you to apply for roles where you don't fully meet the listed requirements, especially if you're passionate or knowledgable about crypto!

As an equal opportunity employer, we don’t tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind. Whether that’s based on race, ethnicity, age, gender identity, citizenship, religion, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state or local laws. 

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