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Proof of work

The team

Payward Global Solutions Limited (PGSL), Payward Inc.’s EU based exchange, is hiring a Head of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing Legislation Compliance. This person is the designated Pre-Approval Controlled Function (PCF) under the Central Bank of Ireland’s Fitness & Probity regime.

This role is responsible for leading and overseeing the firm’s AML/CFT compliance framework, ensuring that the business maintains effective systems, controls, governance, and reporting to comply with all applicable Irish and EU anti-money laundering, counter terrorist financing, sanctions, and related financial crime obligations. You will support PGSL’s Virtual Asset Services Provider license and lead in the application and maintenance of a multi-lateral trading facility application with the CBI. You will hold a senior control function with direct access to senior management and the board, and authority to escalate material issues independently.

The ideal candidate should be “systems thinker” who deploys technology solutions including automation of everything possible consistent with regulatory requirements to scale the program as a risk based, operationally effective, data driven machine. This person will also have the opportunity to play a significant role in the compliance function in addition to AML.

Appointment is subject to approval by the CBI and PGSL’s Board of Directors. The person will report to the Head of International Compliance and PGSL’s CEO with accountability to the PGSL Board.

The opportunity

Lead and maintain the firm’s AML/CFT compliance framework in line with applicable legal, regulatory, and internal policy requirements.
Act as the senior accountable officer for AML/CFT compliance governance, oversight, and escalation.
Develop, implement, and periodically review AML/CFT policies, standards, procedures, and controls.
Oversee the firm’s enterprise-wide AML/CFT risk assessment and ensure that risks are identified, assessed, mitigated, and reported appropriately.
Ensure robust controls are in place for customer due diligence, enhanced due diligence, ongoing monitoring, screening, transaction monitoring, and suspicious activity escalation.
Oversee the firm’s suspicious transaction/reporting processes, including internal escalation, external reporting, and maintenance of appropriate records.
Provide oversight of sanctions compliance controls, including screening governance, escalation processes, and regulatory developments, where applicable.
Advise senior management and the board on AML/CFT matters, emerging risks, regulatory expectations, and control enhancements.
Prepare and deliver regular AML/CFT management information, reporting, and risk updates to relevant governance forums, senior management, and the board.
Act as the principal point of contact for the Central Bank of Ireland and other relevant authorities on AML/CFT matters.
Ensure regulatory findings, audit issues, compliance reviews, and internal control gaps are remediated in a timely and effective manner.
Oversee AML/CFT training and awareness programs to ensure staff understand their obligations and relevant risk indicators.
Work closely with Compliance, Legal, Risk, Operations, Product, Customer Engagement, and technology teams to embed AML/CFT requirements into business processes, systems, and change initiatives.
Support new product, jurisdiction, customer segment, and outsourcing assessments to ensure AML/CFT risks are appropriately considered before launch or implementation.
Maintain appropriate oversight of third parties and outsourced service providers performing AML/CFT-related activities on behalf of the firm.
Promote a strong culture of financial crime compliance, accountability, and ethical conduct across the organization.

Skills you should HODL

Experience in crypto, fintech, or another regulated, fast-paced industry with a high volume of transactions.
Significant experience in AML/CFT, financial crime compliance, or regulatory compliance within a regulated financial services firm.
Strong knowledge of Irish and EU AML/CFT legislation, regulatory expectations, and applicable guidance.
Experience designing, implementing, and overseeing AML/CFT compliance frameworks in complex or high-growth environments using technology.
Demonstrated experience engaging with regulators, senior management, boards, audit, and second- and third-line oversight functions.
Strong understanding of AML/CFT risk assessment, CDD/EDD, transaction monitoring, screening, suspicious activity reporting, and governance.
Experience managing compliance issues in relation to new products, technology, outsourcing, and cross-border operations.
Strong judgment, independence, and ability to challenge effectively at senior levels.
Excellent written, verbal, and stakeholder management skills.
Must satisfy Fitness & Probity standards, including competence, capability, honesty, integrity, and financial soundness.

Nice to haves

Previous experience as a PCF-52 with a VASP or financial services firm
Previous experience with MiFID II/Market Abuse Directive

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 knowledgable about crypto!

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

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Head of AML & CTF Compliance (PCF-52)

Job Description