License Operations & Strategy Manager

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Ireland.

📋 Description

• Collaborate with the License Operations & Entity leadership team to establish and implement Kraken’s license operations strategy, ensuring a balance between operational excellence, commercial outcomes, and product launches.

• Develop business and operational frameworks that facilitate and sustain new product introductions, market entries, and licensing avenues.

• Convert regulatory milestones into actionable business prospects, such as new services, enhanced client offerings, or passporting benefits.

• Assess and identify strategic partnerships and outsourcing options that improve scalability or regulatory efficiency.

• Implement operational models across EU MiCAR and other Payward/Kraken Legal Entities, encompassing product launches, regulatory examinations, MI generation, and commercial initiatives.

• Oversee the end-to-end execution of EU MiCAR and other regulatory projects and product launches, coordinating efforts across Product, Legal, Risk, Compliance, and Finance teams.

• Identify, implement, and utilize generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude) to enhance workflows, automate operational processes, and boost efficiency, decision-making, and scalability in regulatory and commercial initiatives.

• Conduct analysis and research on emerging regulatory frameworks to provide strategic insights with input from cross-functional teams.

• Assist in regulatory deliverables, submissions, and communication with supervisory bodies.

• Aid in the preparation of materials for the Board and Committees, including regulatory updates, operational MI, outsourcing oversight reports, and strategic initiatives for regulated entities.

• Manage governance cycles across significant CBI-regulated entities, ensuring prompt escalation, approvals, action tracking, and alignment with Board, Risk, Compliance, and Audit Committee requisites.

• Foster effective governance and stakeholder engagement by maintaining governance calendars, supporting Board reporting procedures, and ensuring efficient operation of regulatory obligations and decision-making forums across various jurisdictions.

• Prepare executive and Board-level reports that translate regulatory, operational, and commercial developments into clear insights on risk, performance, and strategy for senior leadership and non-executive directors.

• Supervise, advise, and assist all relevant parties in conducting ongoing monitoring and periodic reviews of outsourcing agreements, including Third Party engagements.

• Evaluate the performance of outsourced service providers against established SLAs and key performance indicators, regularly tracking and documenting these outsourcing oversight activities.

• Ensure that accurate and timely assessment reports, trend analyses, and feedback are provided to the Compliance and Risk Committee.

• Support the adherence of third-party risk management and outsourcing policies and procedures to regulatory standards, while staying updated on evolving regulations in relevant jurisdictions and applying this knowledge to the role. Collaborate with Compliance, Operational Risk, and internal/external audit teams to meet group and regulatory requirements.

• Serve as the point of contact for outsourcing-related inquiries, providing guidance and training aligned with third-party management and outsourcing policies, procedures, and regulations to internal clients and stakeholders.

• Evaluate proposed new engagements and maintain records of outsourcing oversight activities, participating in client due diligence, RFPs, or assessments of external third-party providers as necessary.

• Act as the central liaison between regulatory strategy and operational execution.

• Lead cross-functional working groups, manage dependencies, and enhance visibility across leadership regarding progress, risks, and opportunities.

• Assist commercial and product teams in navigating MiCAR constraints and opportunities while designing new offerings.

• Provide strategic updates and performance insights to executives and the board, connecting regulatory advancements to market positioning.

⛳️ Requirements

• 5–8 years of experience in top-tier consulting, strategy, or operations leadership, preferably within financial services, fintech, or crypto sectors.

• Demonstrated ability to lead complex initiatives with multiple stakeholders, focusing on commercial or regulatory aspects.

• Familiarity with EU regulatory frameworks (EMRs, MiCAR, MiFID II, PSD2, AMLD5/6, DORA, etc.).

• Strong understanding of business and financial models, with the ability to quantify the impact of regulatory design on revenue, costs, and scalability.

• Extensive experience in outsourcing oversight, vendor performance assessment, and regulatory submissions.

• Exceptional problem-solving, analytical capabilities, and executive-level communication skills.

• Commercially savvy, bridging regulatory compliance with business growth and customer trust.

• Operates with a consulting mindset: structured, analytical, and action-oriented.

• Thrives in uncertain environments and transitions swiftly from concept to execution.

• Collaborative, low-ego, and skilled at influencing senior stakeholders.

• Enthusiastic about crypto, innovation, and responsible scaling within regulated contexts.

🏝️ Benefits

• Kraken is a mission-driven organization grounded in crypto values. By joining us as a Krakenite, you will be part of our mission to accelerate the global adoption of crypto, enabling everyone to achieve financial freedom and inclusion. For over a decade, Kraken’s commitment to our mission and crypto ethos has attracted many of the industry’s leading experts.

• Fully remote work environment with Krakenites located in over 70 countries, speaking more than 50 languages.

• Industry-leading security measures, crypto education resources, and world-class client support.

• Opportunities for personal and professional development through various projects and training programs.