License Operations & Strategy Manager

Kraken

Job Overview

Location

Ireland

Job Type

Full-time

Full Job Description

📋 Description

• Partner with License Operations & Entity leadership to define and execute Kraken’s global license operations strategy, aligning regulatory compliance with commercial growth and product launches.
• Build and maintain business and operational models that support new market entries, licensing pathways, and regulatory-driven product expansions across EU MiCAR and other Payward/Kraken legal entities.
• Translate regulatory milestones—such as MiCAR compliance, passporting rights, and licensing approvals—into tangible business opportunities including new services, expanded client offerings, and geographic expansion.
• Identify, evaluate, and recommend strategic partnerships and outsourcing arrangements that enhance operational scalability, regulatory efficiency, and cost-effectiveness across regulated entities.
• Execute end-to-end delivery of regulatory projects including MiCAR implementation, regulatory examinations, management information (MI) generation, and commercial initiatives across multiple jurisdictions.
• Leverage generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude) to automate workflows, streamline compliance processes, improve decision-making, and scale operational efficiency in regulatory and commercial functions.
• Analyze evolving regulatory regimes globally and provide strategic recommendations with cross-functional input from Legal, Risk, Compliance, Finance, and Product teams.
• Support regulatory submissions, communications with supervisors, and preparation of Board and Committee materials including regulatory updates, operational MI, outsourcing oversight reports, and strategic initiatives.
• Coordinate governance cycles across large CBI-regulated entities, ensuring timely escalation, approvals, action tracking, and alignment with Board, Risk, Compliance, and Audit Committee requirements.
• Maintain governance calendars, support Board reporting processes, and ensure regulatory obligations and decision-making forums operate efficiently across multiple jurisdictions.
• Prepare executive and Board-level reporting that translates regulatory, operational, and commercial developments into clear risk, performance, and strategic insights for senior leadership and non-executive directors.
• Oversee monitoring and periodic reviews of all third-party outsourcing arrangements, ensuring adherence to agreed SLAs, KPIs, and regulatory standards.
• Measure and report on outsourced service provider performance, maintain records of oversight activities, and provide trend analysis and feedback to the Compliance and Risk Committee.
• Ensure third-party risk management and outsourcing policies comply with regulatory requirements and support internal audits and external regulatory reviews.
• Act as the primary point of contact for outsourcing-related queries, providing guidance and training on third-party management policies, procedures, and regulatory expectations to internal stakeholders.
• Assess proposed new third-party engagements, participate in RFPs and due diligence processes, and maintain comprehensive records of outsourcing oversight activities.
• Serve as the central integration point between regulatory strategy and operational execution, leading cross-functional working groups and managing dependencies across Product, Legal, Risk, Compliance, and Finance.
• Support commercial and product teams in understanding MiCAR constraints and opportunities when designing new crypto offerings and market strategies.
• Deliver strategic updates and performance insights to executives and the Board, linking regulatory progress directly to Kraken’s market positioning, customer trust, and revenue growth.
• Stay current with regulatory changes in key jurisdictions and apply this knowledge to operational design, compliance frameworks, and strategic planning.
• Operate with a consulting mindset: structured, analytical, and action-oriented, thriving in ambiguity while moving rapidly from concept to execution.
• Collaborate with low ego, influence senior stakeholders, and foster alignment across global teams to drive regulatory and commercial outcomes.
• Demonstrate passion for crypto innovation, responsible scaling in regulated environments, and Kraken’s mission of financial freedom and inclusion through blockchain technology.

🎯 Requirements

• 5–8 years in top-tier consulting, strategy, or operations leadership, ideally in financial services, fintech, or crypto
• Proven experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives with a commercial or regulatory focus
• Understanding of EU regulatory frameworks (EMRs, MiCAR, MiFID II, PSD2, AMLD5/6, DORA, etc.)
• Strong grasp of business and financial models—able to quantify how regulatory design impacts revenue, cost, and scalability
• Deep experience in outsourcing oversight, vendor performance, and regulatory submissions
• Exceptional problem-solving, analytical, and executive communication skills

🏖️ Benefits

• Fully remote work with global team across 70+ countries
• Opportunity to work at the forefront of crypto regulation and compliance with MiCAR and global frameworks
• Access to Kraken’s industry-leading crypto products and educational resources
• Culture rooted in crypto values, mission-driven work, and financial inclusion
• Collaborative, low-ego environment with influence over strategic outcomes at executive and Board levels
• Exposure to generative AI tools to enhance efficiency and innovation in regulatory operations

Skills & Technologies

Remote

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Kraken

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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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