Senior Compliance Associate Lead, Enhanced Due Diligence

Building the Future of Crypto. Our Krakenites are a world-class team with crypto conviction, united by our desire to discover and unlock the potential of crypto and blockchain technology.

What makes us different? Kraken is a mission-focused company rooted in crypto values. As a Krakenite, you’ll join us on our mission to accelerate the global adoption of crypto, so that everyone can achieve financial freedom and inclusion. For over a decade, Kraken’s focus on our mission and crypto ethos has attracted many of the most talented crypto experts in the world.

The team: Our global Compliance team is redefining how compliance should be done. We challenge traditional approaches taken by incumbent financial services firms and work to make Compliance a true competitive advantage for Kraken. Operating in a fast-moving and evolving regulatory environment, our teams navigate regulatory uncertainty and shifting policy positions to help ensure Kraken’s long-term success in the UK and globally.

The KYC Operations team sits within Compliance and is responsible for overseeing Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) activities across the client lifecycle. The Senior Compliance Associate Lead, Enhanced Due Diligence plays a critical role in reviewing complex EDD activity, acting as a subject matter expert on UK regulatory expectations, quality standards, and risk-based decision-making.

The opportunity:

• Independently conduct complex KYC EDD quality control for higher-risk individual and corporate clients, including PEPs, high-risk jurisdictions, and complex ownership structures, in line with UK regulatory requirements.
• Analyze source of wealth, source of funds, business activities, and beneficial ownership, using OSINT, public records, adverse media, and blockchain analytics to identify and assess financial crime risks.
• Deliver clear, risk-based assessments and recommendations, escalating higher-risk or unusual matters in accordance with defined approval and governance thresholds.
• Perform quality control and peer reviews of EDD activity to ensure consistency, accuracy, and adherence to internal standards and FCA expectations, and identify recurring quality issues for remediation.
• Act as a point of contact for UK EDD-related queries, supporting Client Engagement and Onboarding teams and liaising with the Regional Compliance team to ensure alignment with regional policies and standards.
• Provide informal mentoring and knowledge-sharing to junior associates and contribute to the continuous improvement of UK-specific EDD procedures, QC guidance, and training materials.

Skills you should HODL:

• At least 3–5 years in AML, KYC, or EDD within a UK-regulated financial institution, crypto-asset firm, fintech, or professional services environment.
• Solid working knowledge of UK AML/CTF regulatory frameworks, including the MLRs 2017 (as amended), POCA, Terrorism Act, FCA Financial Crime Guide, and JMLSG guidance, with hands-on experience conducting EDD and participating in QC or peer review activities.
• Strong ability to apply a risk-based approach, exercise sound judgement, and communicate clearly with internal stakeholders, supported by high attention to detail and comfort operating in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves (Not Mandatory):

• CAMS, ICA, or other recognized AML/compliance certification.
• Prior experience supporting FCA engagement or supervision, including responding to information requests, audits, thematic reviews, or regulatory examinations.
• Familiarity with crypto-asset products, blockchain analytics, and emerging financial crime risks.

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.

Kraken is powered by people from around the world and we celebrate all Krakenites for their diverse talents, backgrounds, contributions and unique perspectives. We hire strictly based on merit, meaning we seek out the candidates with the right abilities, knowledge, and skills considered the most suitable 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!

As an equal opportunity employer, we don’t tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind. Whether that’s 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.