Manager, Know Your Customer (KYC)

Circle; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 145,000 - 192,500; Full time

Job summary

A leading digital financial platform is seeking a KYC Operations Manager in Washington, DC. The role involves managing KYC processes, leading a team of analysts, and implementing AI-driven improvements. Candidates should have over 10 years of relevant experience, including with AML/KYC for corporate clients and a passion for digital currencies. Strong leadership skills and experience in regulatory compliance are required. This role offers competitive compensation ranging from $145,000 to $192,500 per year.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in AML and KYC reviews for corporate customers.
• 3+ years of team management experience.
• 2+ years of crypto industry experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee KYC, onboarding, and periodic reviews.
• Manage case volumes across workflows ensuring adherence to SLAs.
• Lead a team of KYC analysts.

Skills

AML and KYC reviews

Team management

AI-enabled tools

Digital currency knowledge

Project management

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree

Quantitative or technical degree

Tools

Google Workspace

Slack

Job description

Overview

Circle (NYSE: CRCL) is one of the world’s leading internet financial platform companies, building the foundation of a more open, global economy through digital assets, payment applications, and programmable blockchain infrastructure. Circle’s platform includes the world’s largest regulated stablecoin network anchored by USDC, Circle Payments Network for global money movement, and Arc, an enterprise-grade blockchain designed to become the Economic OS for the internet. Enterprises, financial institutions, and developers use Circle to power trusted, internet-scale financial innovation. Learn more at circle.com.

Circle is committed to visibility and stability in everything we do. As we grow as an organization, we’re expanding into some of the world’s strongest jurisdictions. Speed and efficiency are motivators for our success and our employees live by our company values: High Integrity, Future Forward, Multistakeholder, Mindful, and Driven by Excellence. We have built a flexible work environment where new ideas are encouraged and everyone is a stakeholder.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing customer KYC, onboarding and periodic review processes specialized due diligence, including the documentation of policies, procedures.
• Manage case volumes across workflows to ensure timely execution and consistent adherence to service-level agreements (SLAs).
• Oversee the drafting quality of Customer Risk Acceptance memos by delivering constructive feedback that drives comprehensive risk identification, sound mitigations, and crisp, decision-ready writeups.
• Lead and develop a team of KYC analysts, driving quality, consistency, and risk-based decision-making across onboarding and review activities.
• Lead customer compliance walkthroughs and reviews of clients’ programs and controls, identify gaps/deficiencies, while partnering constructively with stakeholders to deliver a strong customer experience.
• Identify, design, and implement AI-driven enhancements to KYC workflows to improve efficiency, scalability, and analytical rigor.
• Collaborate with Commercial teams and act as a point of escalation for complex issues.
• Ensure the highest standards of documentation, audit readiness, and quality assurance across all onboarding and periodic review processes.
• Partner with Circle’s engineering and product teams to ensure Compliance Operations is supported with the most effective tools and technological support.
• Monitor regulatory, enforcement, and industry developments in the digital asset ecosystem, proactively adapting KYC and AML processes.
• Build strong cross-functional partnerships with QA, Monitoring & Testing, Audit, and exam teams.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant experience in AML and KYC reviews for corporate customers, including designing, managing, and implementing scalable KYC processes and governance frameworks.
• 3+ years of experience managing teams of analysts, driving performance, quality, and operational excellence.
• 2+ years of relevant crypto experience.
• Demonstrated experience leveraging AI-enabled tools within compliance or KYC workflows, with the ability to implement responsible AI-driven enhancements while maintaining regulatory defensibility and strong internal controls.
• A passion for digital currency, blockchain technology, and emerging technologies — including AI — to modernize financial crime compliance operations.
• An innovative and solution-oriented mindset, with a track record of identifying inefficiencies and implementing practical, technology-driven improvements.
• Proven ability to collaborate cross-functionally with Product, Engineering, and Business stakeholders to operationalize compliance requirements into scalable systems.
• Experience in a rapidly evolving regulatory and technological environment, with the agility to adapt to change and continuously upskill.
• Strong leadership, relationship management, and project management skills, with the ability to drive initiatives from concept through implementation.
• Strong executive presence and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience in RegTech, FinTech, consulting, or digital asset environments preferred.
• CAMS, CFCS, CFE, or similar certification preferred.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace, Slack, and Mac environment; familiarity with AI-assisted research or workflow tools strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree required; quantitative, technical, or data-oriented degree preferred.

Notes: Circle is on a mission to create an inclusive financial future, with transparency at our core. We consider a wide variety of elements when crafting our compensation ranges and total compensation packages. Starting pay is determined by various factors, including but not limited to: relevant experience, skill set, qualifications, and other business and organizational needs. Please note that compensation ranges may differ for candidates in other locations. Base Pay Range: $145,000 - $192,500. We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, or any other protected status required by the laws in the locations where we hire. Additionally, Circle participates in the E-Verify Program in certain locations, as required by law. If you require accommodations or assistance in our interview process because of a disability, please reach out to [e-mail] for support. We will connect with you separately from our interview process to accommodate your needs.