Internal Audit Lead, Kraken

• 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

Desirable

• As Internal Audit Lead you are responsible for leading the global Internal Audit function
• You’ll build and execute the annual audit plan, oversee the team and co-sourced partners, and ensure strong alignment with regulatory expectations
• This is a unique opportunity to shape a high-impact, technology-forward audit function at the forefront of crypto and financial innovation
• This role reports to the Senior Director of Risk and Audit as part of Kraken’s Integrated Assurance function, which brings together Internal Audit and Enterprise Risk Management to drive a unified risk oversight strategy
• The position also maintains direct reporting lines to both the Global and Local Audit Committee Chairs, preserving independence and objectivity in accordance with IIA standards and regulatory requirements
• 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