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Own the Legal Operations function, including technology stack, AI strategy, workflow design, budgeting, vendor management, and demand‑management frameworks.
10+ years in legal operations or related tech/finance leadership, with proven experience scaling legal tech, driving automation/AI initiatives, and building data‑driven metrics.
The role transforms Kraken’s legal team from a reactive cost center into a strategic, efficient partner that supports the company’s expanding regulatory footprint and growth.
A senior leader comfortable navigating ambiguity, influencing cross‑functional stakeholders, and implementing large‑scale process and technology transformations in high‑growth fintech environments.
Building the Future of Open Finance
Payward - the parent company behind Kraken, NinjaTrader, Breakout, xStocks, Payward Services and CF Benchmarks - has spent the last 15 years building one of the most modern and globally accessible financial infrastructure platforms in the industry, built to advance an open, global financial system.
The team
Founded in 2011, Kraken is one of the world's longest-standing crypto platforms, trusted by over 10 million individuals and institutions across the globe. It offers spot trading, margin, futures, staking, and OTC services, with products built for both individual investors and institutional clients.
The Director, Legal Operations will serve as the centralized owner for Legal’s operations, technology, data, and execution. This role is responsible for Legal AI strategy and implementation, partnering closely with Engineering, Product, Security, Finance, and other stakeholders to modernize and scale Kraken’s legal function. As Kraken’s regulatory footprint and business complexity grow, this leader will own operational strategy, tooling, process design, and metrics—driving automation, AI adoption, workflow standardization, and vendor optimization. This role ensures Legal operates as a strategic, data-driven partner to the business rather than a reactive cost center.
This leader will also be responsible for Legal’s financial, resourcing, and demand management foundations—ensuring the right work is done by the right resource at the right cost, with predictable outcomes as the organization scales.
The opportunity
What you bring
Nice to haves
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.
Our commitment
Payward is powered by people from around the world and we celebrate the diverse talents, backgrounds, contributions, and unique perspectives that everyone brings to the table. We hire based on merit, seeking out people with the right abilities, knowledge, and skills 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.
We may ask candidates to complete job-related skills or work-style assessments as part of our hiring process. These assessments evaluate competencies relevant to the role and are applied consistently across candidates for similar positions. Results are considered alongside 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 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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