Global Head of AML & Regulatory Compliance

Kraken

Job Overview

Location

United States

Job Type

Full-time

Full Job Description

📋 Description

• As the Global Head of AML & Regulatory Compliance at Kraken, you will serve as the strategic architect of the company’s global AML/CFT and Regulatory Compliance program, ensuring robust risk assessment frameworks, consistent policy governance, and effective oversight of emerging regulatory risks across all jurisdictions where Payward operates. This Director-level role reports to the Chief Compliance Officer and is critical to maintaining Kraken’s reputation as a trusted, secure, and compliant leader in the global crypto ecosystem, directly supporting the company’s mission to accelerate global crypto adoption and financial inclusion.
• You will 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. You will own the global financial crime risk assessment framework encompassing Business, Customer, Country, Product, and Transaction/Blockchain Monitoring risk methodologies, driving annual and off-cycle assessments and leading automation of these frameworks to inform compliance strategy. You will design and maintain global compliance frameworks covering three lines of defense, Anti-Bribery & Corruption, Consumer Protection, and proliferation financing, overseeing the full policy lifecycle for AML/CFT, KYC, CDD/EDD, and Travel Rule while maintaining clear separation between policy design (2LOD) and operational execution (1LOD). You will 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. You will modernize compliance frameworks through AI and automation, integrating risk data into enterprise dashboards and ensuring appropriate governance for AI-enabled compliance tools. You will support regulatory engagement, supervisory examinations, and the continuous evolution of Payward’s compliance operating model as the company expands globally, acting as a systems thinker who deploys technology solutions to scale the AML and Regulatory Compliance program as a risk-based, operationally effective, data-driven machine.
• You will join a mission-driven, fully remote team of Krakenites spanning 70+ countries and speaking over 50 languages, united by a shared conviction in crypto’s potential to unlock financial freedom and inclusion. Kraken is a pioneer in the crypto industry, known for its industry-leading security, crypto education initiatives, and world-class client support through products like Kraken Pro, Desktop, Wallet, and Kraken Futures. As a fully remote company with a decade-long track record of attracting top crypto talent, Kraken fosters a culture rooted in merit, transparency, and innovation, where compliance is not a barrier but an enabler of sustainable growth and trust in the digital asset ecosystem.
• In this role, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of compliance in the rapidly evolving crypto landscape, building scalable, technology-driven frameworks that set new global standards for AML and regulatory excellence. You will gain deep exposure to cross-functional collaboration with product, engineering, and regional teams, enhancing your ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into operational realities. You will lead high-impact initiatives involving AI, automation, and enterprise risk modeling, positioning yourself as a thought leader in financial crime compliance within digital assets. You will also have the potential to serve as Head of AML/CFT Compliance (PCF-52) for Payward Global Solutions Limited, licensed by the Central Bank of Ireland, subject to regulatory and board authorization, adding a prestigious international credential to your leadership profile.

🎯 Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in AML/CFT, financial crime, or regulatory compliance within global crypto/digital asset or financial services environments
• Proven leadership of global compliance or risk management teams, with demonstrated ability to scale programs across multiple jurisdictions
• Deep knowledge of global AML/CFT frameworks, supervisory expectations, and enterprise risk assessment design, including experience with KYC, CDD/EDD, sanctions, and Travel Rule implementation
• Track record of operationalizing compliance frameworks cross-functionally, particularly with engineering and product teams, to embed controls into technology systems
• Strong ability to translate regulatory requirements into scalable, technology-driven operational frameworks, including experience with AI and automation in compliance
• Experience managing global regulatory initiatives and diverse stakeholders, including regulators, auditors, and internal business units
• Strategic thinker with excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of influencing senior leadership and presenting complex compliance concepts clearly

🏖️ Benefits

• Fully remote work model with colleagues in 70+ countries, enabling flexibility and global collaboration without geographic constraints
• Opportunity to work at the forefront of the crypto industry with a mission-driven company committed to financial freedom and inclusion
• Access to industry-leading security practices, crypto education resources, and world-class client support systems as part of Kraken’s core offerings
• Potential to serve as Head of AML/CFT Compliance (PCF-52) for Payward Global Solutions Limited, licensed by the Central Bank of Ireland, subject to regulatory and board authorization
• Merit-based hiring culture that values skills and knowledge over formal credentials, encouraging applications from passionate candidates even if they don’t meet every requirement
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with explicit non-discrimination policies and consideration of qualified applicants with criminal histories under the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Skills & Technologies

Remote

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About Kraken

Kraken is a global cryptocurrency exchange established in 2011, offering spot and futures trading for Bitcoin, Ethereum and 200+ digital assets. Headquartered in San Francisco with entities worldwide, it serves retail and institutional clients, providing custody, staking, an NFT marketplace and OTC desk. The platform emphasizes security, regulatory compliance and educational resources.

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