Kraken Digital Asset ExchangeThe team This role serves as the strategic architect of Payward’s global AML/CFT and Regulatory Compliance (AML) program, ensuring the organisation maintains robust risk assessment frameworks and controls, consistent policy governance, and effective oversight of emerging regulatory risks.
Building the Future of Crypto
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. We also expect candidates to familiarize themselves with the Kraken app. Learn how to create a Kraken account here.
As a fully remote company, we have Krakenites in 70+ 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, Desktop, Wallet, and Kraken Futures.
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Proof of work
The team
This role serves as the strategic architect of Payward’s global AML/CFT and Regulatory Compliance (AML) program, ensuring the organisation maintains robust risk assessment frameworks and controls, consistent policy governance, and effective oversight of emerging regulatory risks. This person will ensure the program remains risk-based, scalable, and defensible across all jurisdictions in which Payward operates. The position works closely with Regional Compliance Officers (RCOs), product and engineering teams, and operational stakeholders to ensure frameworks are operationally executable and aligned with evolving regulatory expectations. This is a Director level role reporting to the Chief Compliance Officer.
Subject to regulatory and board authorization, this person may serve as Head of AML/CFT Compliance (PCF-52) for Payward Global Solutions Limited, licensed by the Central Bank of Ireland.
The opportunity
The Global Head also plays a key role in supporting regulatory engagement, supervisory examinations, and the continuous evolution of Payward’s compliance operating model as the company expands globally. The right person must be a “systems thinker” who deploys technology solutions including automation of everything possible consistent with regulatory requirements to scale the AML and Regulatory Compliance program as a risk based, operationally effective, data driven machine.
Global AML/CFT Governance — Lead the development and maintenance of Payward's global AML/CFT compliance frameworks, including policies, governance structures, and financial crime controls (AML/TF, sanctions, KYC) across all jurisdictions, ensuring scalability as the business grows.
Enterprise Risk Assessment — Own the global financial crime risk assessment framework, encompassing Business, Customer, Country, Product, and Transaction/Blockchain Monitoring risk methodologies. Drive annual and off-cycle assessments, ensure outputs inform compliance strategy, and lead automation of these frameworks.
Regulatory Compliance — Design and maintain global compliance frameworks covering three lines of defense, Anti-Bribery & Corruption, Consumer Protection, and proliferation financing. Oversee the full policy lifecycle for AML/CFT, KYC, CDD/EDD, and Travel Rule, maintaining clear separation between policy design (2LOD) and operational execution (1LOD).
Regional Oversight — Provide second-line oversight to Regional Compliance Officers across all regulated entities, supporting regulatory inspections, aligning global frameworks with local requirements, and delivering subject matter expertise on AML/CFT risk methodologies.
Innovation & Automation — Modernise compliance frameworks through AI and automation, integrating risk data into enterprise dashboards and ensuring appropriate governance for AI-enabled compliance tools.
Skills you should HODL
10+ years in AML/CFT, financial crime, or regulatory compliance within global crypto/digital asset or financial services
Proven leadership of global compliance or risk management teams
Deep knowledge of global AML/CFT frameworks, supervisory expectations, and enterprise risk assessment design
Track record of operationalising compliance frameworks cross-functionally (including engineering and product)
Strong ability to translate regulatory requirements into scalable, technology-driven operational frameworks
Experience managing global regulatory initiatives and diverse stakeholders
Strategic thinker with excellent written and verbal communication skills
Unless a specific application deadline is stated in the job posting, applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Please note, applicants are permitted to redact or remove information on their resume that identifies age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories for employment on our team, assessing candidates in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
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!
We may ask candidates to complete job-related skills or work-style assessments as part of our hiring process. These assessments are designed to evaluate competencies relevant to the role and are applied consistently across candidates for similar positions. Assessment results are considered alongside other relevant information, such as experience and interviews, and are not the sole basis for any employment decision.
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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