Internal Audit Lead

Summary

Join Kraken as the Internal Audit Lead and spearhead the global Internal Audit function. You will be responsible for developing and executing the annual audit plan, overseeing the team and external partners, and ensuring alignment with regulatory expectations. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape a high-impact, technology-forward audit function within a leading cryptocurrency company. The position reports to the Senior Director of Risk and Audit and maintains direct reporting lines to the Global and Local Audit Committee Chairs, ensuring independence and objectivity. Kraken is a fully remote company with a global presence, offering a unique work environment. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in internal audit, risk management, or compliance within a regulated financial services environment or fintech. This is an ongoing application process with no deadline.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in internal audit, risk, consulting, or compliance
• Experience in a regulated financial services environment or fintech
• Demonstrated ability to lead audit projects, manage co-sourced engagements, and interface with senior stakeholders
• Strong knowledge of IIA standards, COSO framework, and control evaluation
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, or a related field

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of Kraken’s global Internal Audit strategy, methodology, and multi-year audit plan, ensuring alignment with business objectives and emerging risks
• Oversee day-to-day internal audit operations, including planning, scoping, fieldwork, and reporting across financial, operational, compliance, and IT domains
• Manage co-sourced internal audit partners to ensure consistent audit quality, knowledge transfer, and alignment with internal standards
• Deliver risk-based audits and issue validations that provide independent, objective assurance and actionable recommendations
• Report audit findings, thematic risks, and control effectiveness updates to the Senior Director of Risk and Audit, Global and Local Audit Committee Chairs, and other senior stakeholders
• Evolve audit methodologies by embedding automation, continuous auditing, and real-time monitoring tools across the audit lifecycle
• Champion the adoption of Generative AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics to enhance audit efficiency, coverage, and insight generation
• Lead the Internal Audit Quality Assurance and Improvement Program, ensuring ongoing compliance with IIA standards and continuous process enhancement
• Maintain Internal Audit Charter, procedures, templates, and guidance documentation in line with leading practices
• Serve as the primary Internal Audit liaison for regulators, external auditors, and examiners during inspections, walkthroughs, and formal reviews
• Ensure Internal Audit practices meet Irish regulatory requirements (e.g., CBI PCF functions), and global regulatory expectations across jurisdictions
• Partner with Enterprise Risk Management, Legal, Compliance, and Finance to ensure coordinated assurance coverage, reduce redundancy, and align on key risk themes
• Participate in risk forums and cross-functional governance bodies to bring risk insights and audit perspectives into strategic decision-making
• Manage and mentor internal audit staff, providing guidance, performance feedback, and career development support
• Develop and execute audit team training programs to ensure technical competency, regulatory awareness, and familiarity with emerging technologies
• Track and report on key audit metrics, including team utilization, audit plan progress, budget adherence, and remediation follow-up
• Foster strong, collaborative relationships with key business partners in Finance, Product, Technology, and Operations to support control awareness and issue resolution

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with digital assets, blockchain, or crypto ecosystem
• Prior experience building or scaling internal audit programs in a growth-stage company
• CPA, CIA, or similar credentials preferred. Advanced certifications (e.g. CISA, CFA) are a plus
• Exposure to global regulatory environments (e.g., CBI, CySEC, SEC)
• Experience integrating data analytics into audit planning and execution
• Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, remote, and cross-functional teams