Job Overview
Location
UK
Job Type
Full-time
Category
Finance
Date Posted
February 25, 2026
Full Job Description
📋 Description
- • Are you a seasoned banking and payments professional with a passion for the transformative power of cryptocurrency? Kraken, a global leader in the digital asset space, is seeking a highly motivated and strategic Sr Banking & Payments Manager to join our dynamic Business Operations group. This pivotal role is instrumental in building and managing the critical banking and financial institution partnerships that underpin Kraken's entire ecosystem, enabling seamless, secure, and scalable access to financial infrastructure.
- • As a Sr Banking & Payments Manager, you will be at the forefront of shaping and executing Kraken's Global Hybrid Banking Strategy. Your primary responsibility will be to lead and cultivate our global banking relationships, identifying, negotiating, and managing strategic partnerships with banks and financial institutions worldwide. These relationships are not just operational necessities; they are accelerators for Kraken's growth, directly enabling the launch of new products, expansion into new markets, and the continuous enhancement of our platform capabilities.
- • You will be the key architect of commercial agreements, meticulously negotiating and managing terms and contracts to optimize partner performance, drive down costs, and elevate the quality of services provided. This involves a deep understanding of financial markets, payment rails, and the unique demands of the cryptocurrency industry. Your commercial acumen will be crucial in ensuring that Kraken secures the most advantageous partnerships that support our ambitious growth trajectory.
- • Operational excellence is paramount in this role. You will oversee the end-to-end execution of banking operations, ensuring the smooth functioning of liquidity management, treasury operations, and the critical 24x7 processing of client transactions. This requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of reliability and efficiency.
- • Collaboration is at the heart of Kraken's success. You will work hand-in-hand with a diverse array of internal teams, including Finance, Legal, Treasury, Compliance, Product, and Engineering. Your ability to foster strong cross-functional relationships will be essential in delivering integrated solutions that cater to all business lines and geographies, ensuring that our banking and payment infrastructure is robust and aligned with our overall business objectives.
- • Navigating the complex regulatory landscape of the financial and crypto industries is a key aspect of this role. You will collaborate closely with Risk, Security, and Audit teams to rigorously assess and mitigate any partner-related risks. Maintaining strict adherence to regulatory compliance, including BSA/AML/KYC frameworks, is non-negotiable, ensuring Kraken operates with integrity and trust.
- • To ensure the effectiveness of our partnerships, you will establish clear performance metrics, implement robust governance frameworks, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. This data-driven approach will allow us to monitor partner performance, identify areas for enhancement, and ensure our banking relationships consistently meet and exceed expectations.
- • Staying ahead of the curve is vital in the fast-paced world of digital finance. You will be expected to maintain a keen awareness of emerging trends in banking, payments, and cryptocurrency. This market insight will enable you to anticipate new opportunities, identify potential challenges, and strategically position Kraken for continued success in an ever-evolving regulatory and competitive environment.
- • This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to Kraken's mission of accelerating the global adoption of crypto and empowering individuals with financial freedom and inclusion. You will be part of a world-class team with deep crypto conviction, working in a fully remote environment with colleagues across 70+ countries. If you are ready to build the future of crypto and make a significant impact, we encourage you to apply.
🎯 Requirements
- • 5+ years of experience in banking, payments, or financial services, with a focus on partnership management, transaction banking, or financial infrastructure.
- • Proven success negotiating and managing complex, high-value partnerships across multiple regions (UK, EMEA, and APAC preferred).
- • Strong understanding of banking systems, payments rails, liquidity management, and financial compliance frameworks (including BSA/AML/KYC).
- • Demonstrated ability to lead strategic initiatives, influence senior stakeholders, and deliver measurable business outcomes.
- • Exceptional commercial acumen, analytical thinking, and communication skills.
- • Ability to thrive in a dynamic, high-growth environment with global reach.
- • Passion for innovation in digital finance and cryptocurrency.
- • Willingness to travel internationally (up to 25%).
🏖️ Benefits
- • Fully remote work environment, allowing you to work from anywhere in the 70+ countries where Kraken has a presence.
- • Opportunity to be a key player in a mission-focused company dedicated to accelerating crypto adoption and financial inclusion.
- • Competitive salary and benefits package.
- • Work with a world-class team of crypto experts and industry pioneers.
- • Professional development opportunities in a rapidly evolving and innovative industry.
Skills & Technologies
Rails
Senior
Remote
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.
