Global Head of AML & Regulatory Compliance

Kraken

22h • Remote

About The Position

This role serves as the strategic architect of Payward’s global AML/CFT and Regulatory Compliance (AML) program, ensuring the organisation maintains robust risk assessment frameworks and controls, consistent policy governance, and effective oversight of emerging regulatory risks. This person will ensure the program remains risk-based, scalable, and defensible across all jurisdictions in which Payward operates. The position works closely with Regional Compliance Officers (RCOs), product and engineering teams, and operational stakeholders to ensure frameworks are operationally executable and aligned with evolving regulatory expectations. This is a Director level role reporting to the Chief Compliance Officer.
Subject to regulatory and board authorization, this person may serve as Head of AML/CFT Compliance (PCF-52) for Payward Global Solutions Limited, licensed by the Central Bank of Ireland.
The Global Head also plays a key role in supporting regulatory engagement, supervisory examinations, and the continuous evolution of Payward’s compliance operating model as the company expands globally. The right person must be a “systems thinker” who deploys technology solutions including automation of everything possible consistent with regulatory requirements to scale the AML and Regulatory Compliance program as a risk based, operationally effective, data driven machine.

Requirements

• 10+ years in AML/CFT, financial crime, or regulatory compliance within global crypto/digital asset or financial services
• Proven leadership of global compliance or risk management teams
• Deep knowledge of global AML/CFT frameworks, supervisory expectations, and enterprise risk assessment design
• Track record of operationalising compliance frameworks cross-functionally (including engineering and product)
• Strong ability to translate regulatory requirements into scalable, technology-driven operational frameworks
• Experience managing global regulatory initiatives and diverse stakeholders
• Strategic thinker with excellent written and verbal communication skills

Responsibilities

• Global AML/CFT Governance — 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.
• Enterprise Risk Assessment — Own the global financial crime risk assessment framework, encompassing Business, Customer, Country, Product, and Transaction/Blockchain Monitoring risk methodologies. Drive annual and off-cycle assessments, ensure outputs inform compliance strategy, and lead automation of these frameworks.
• Regulatory Compliance — Design and maintain global compliance frameworks covering three lines of defense, Anti-Bribery & Corruption, Consumer Protection, and proliferation financing. Oversee the full policy lifecycle for AML/CFT, KYC, CDD/EDD, and Travel Rule, maintaining clear separation between policy design (2LOD) and operational execution (1LOD).
• Regional Oversight — 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.
• Innovation & Automation — Modernise compliance frameworks through AI and automation, integrating risk data into enterprise dashboards and ensuring appropriate governance for AI-enabled compliance tools.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed