Principal Compliance Associate

Payward - the parent company behind Kraken, NinjaTrader, Breakout, xStocks, Payward Services and CF Benchmarks - has spent the last 15 years building one of the most modern and globally accessible financial infrastructure platforms in the industry, built to advance an open, global financial system.

Before you apply, we encourage you to explore our culture page to understand what drives us and how we work.

Founded in 2011, Kraken is one of the world's longest-standing crypto platforms, trusted by over 10 million individuals and institutions across the globe. It offers spot trading, margin, futures, staking, and OTC services, with products built for both individual investors and institutional clients.

We are recruiting for a Principal Compliance Associate to support compliance activities across both a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) and an Electronic Money Institution (EMI), playing a key role within the European-focused Compliance team.

This role is suited to a self-starter who is comfortable operating as a strategic partner to the business, with the capability to scale a robust compliance framework in a fast-moving environment.

You will report to EU Compliance leadership and work closely with global stakeholders (Operations, Product, Engineering, Finance, Risk) and Kraken’s broader Compliance teams.

• Own and deliver BAU compliance support across IE-regulated entities, including activities subject to CASP and EMI requirements, and relevant conduct and market integrity considerations

• Maintain and enhance the IE-regulated entities compliance framework (policies, procedures, governance materials, reporting calendar) to reflect business changes and IE regulatory expectations

• Act as a trusted partner to Product, Design, Engineering and Markets teams to assist them to structure and launch products and services and controls

• Lead and execute assurance monitoring and testing (risk-based), document findings clearly, and drive pragmatic remediation with accountable owners and timelines

• Support regulatory engagement, including responses to information requests, examinations/audits, and routine/periodic reporting obligations where relevant

• Review and advise on customer-facing communications and marketing for compliance risk and conduct considerations

• Produce reliable management information for senior stakeholders (KRIs, monitoring outcomes, remediation progress, training completion) and assist in preparing reports for Committee and Board meetings on compliance related matters

• Provide guidance and monitor outsourced compliance functions (e.g. marketing/complaints) to ensure compliance with CBI/EBA outsourcing guidelines and relevant requirements under MiCA/PSD2/CPC

• Develop and deliver compliance training programs, ensuring employees are knowledgeable and aware of their obligations

• Provide compliance advisory support and guidance to COs and EU Regional Compliance team on new and existing regulations and rules, best practices and compliance with internal procedures and directives

• Ensure all Policies and Procedures are updated and submitted through appropriate governance forums

• Contribute to a culture of compliance through training, clear guidance, and practical partnership with the business

• 5+ years second-line Compliance experience in a regulated bank, crypto exchange or payments firm

• Demonstrated ability to effectively analyse risk and apply sound judgement in a timely manner

• Experience in crypto-asset services or a strong demonstrated interest, combined with a solid understanding of the regulatory framework

• Strong attention to detail and strong organisational skills

• Ability to prioritise workload in line with tight deadlines and work effectively under pressure.

• Strong knowledge of regulations, particularly in MiCAR, PSD2 and CPC requirements

• Strong written and communication skills; able to translate regulatory expectations into practical controls and clear guidance

• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple workstreams and collaborating cross-functionally

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.

Payward is powered by people from around the world and we celebrate the diverse talents, backgrounds, contributions, and unique perspectives that everyone brings to the table. We hire based on merit, seeking out people with the right abilities, knowledge, and skills 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 knowledgeable about crypto.

We may ask candidates to complete job-related skills or work-style assessments as part of our hiring process. These assessments evaluate competencies relevant to the role and are applied consistently across candidates for similar positions. Results are considered alongside 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 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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