Equity Administration Manager

Kraken

4d•$110,400 - $220,800

About The Position

Payward, the parent company behind Kraken and several other financial services businesses, builds globally accessible financial infrastructure to advance an open financial system. Kraken’s Corporate Legal team advises the company on complex legal matters and supports its growth. The Equity Administration function manages the company’s capitalization table, equity programs, and global stock plan compliance, partnering with Legal, Accounting, Finance, HR, and executive leadership. The Equity Administration Manager leads the design and execution of Kraken’s global equity programs, oversees cap table management, and serves as the primary contact for equity-related matters. The role works across Legal, Finance, People, and external stakeholders to support strategic transactions, maintain compliance, and provide an effective equity experience for employees worldwide. It reports to the Director of Equity.

Requirements

B.A. or similar degree.
At least 6 years of related experience as a stock plan administrator in a startup or corporate practice.
International public company experience.
Significant experience with eShareworks.
Strong technical skills, especially in MS Excel or other spreadsheet programs.
Commitment to process, tracking and reporting, and responsiveness.
Hands-on proficiency with generative AI tools such as Claude or ChatGPT in day-to-day work, with sound judgment about verifying outputs and protecting confidentiality, privilege, and personal data.

Nice To Haves

Certified Equity Professionals (CEP) designation.
Paralegal, fintech, or startup experience.
Both pre-IPO and post-IPO experience, or experience with a similar public offering.

Responsibilities

Administer the company’s global equity plans accurately and on time.
Maintain the capitalization table, including new grants, share issuances, and complex vesting schedules.
Manage participant equity plan transactions, including grants and exercises, and ensure they are processed correctly and promptly.
Communicate with plan participants and resolve questions and concerns about vesting, transactions, enrollment, and other equity matters.
Manage option exercises, pending new hires, and grant lists; reconcile transactions, termination dates, tax withholding, reporting, and related items.
Provide day-to-day equity compensation reporting and data support to Corporate Governance, HR, Payroll, and Finance.
Work with internal and external auditors and Finance on quarterly reviews, year-end audits, and regulatory audits of procedures and controls.
Manage secondary-market transactions, including their detailed closing processes.
Assist Corporate Governance with facilitating and preparing stock-transfer documents.
Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.