Manager, Know Your Customer (KYC)

Circle; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 192,500; Full time

Job summary

Circle is seeking a senior leader for its AML/KYC program in the United States. You will oversee onboarding, ongoing due diligence, and risk-acceptance decisions, while building a high-performing team.

This role partners with Product, Eng, and Commercial teams to scale compliant processes across digital assets and payments. Ideal candidates bring 10+ years of AML/KYC experience for corporate clients, 3+ years of team leadership, 2+ years in crypto, and a track record of implementing AI-enabled

Qualifications

• 10+ years of AML/KYC experience for corporate customers and governance
• 3+ years of managing teams of analysts
• 2+ years of crypto experience
• Experience using AI-enabled tools in compliance/workflows
• Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration
• Ability to operate in evolving regulatory environments
• Proven ability to drive scalable systems

Responsibilities

• Oversee KYC onboarding and periodic review processes and due diligence
• Manage case volumes and SLAs across workflows
• Approve Customer Risk Acceptance memos with risk-based decisions
• Lead a team of KYC analysts for quality and consistency
• Review clients' programs and controls with stakeholders to close gaps
• Design AI-driven enhancements to KYC workflows
• Collaborate with Commercial, Eng, and Product teams
• Ensure documentation and audit readiness across onboarding
• Advise on tooling to support Compliance Operations

Skills

AML/KYC experience

Team leadership

Crypto/FinTech familiarity

AI-driven workflow improvements

Stakeholder collaboration

RegTech/FinTech domain knowledge

Executive engagement

Google Workspace

Slack

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Google Workspace

Slack

MacOS

Job description

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.

What You’ll Be Part Of

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.

What You’ll Work On

• 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
• Collaborating with Commercial teams and acting 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
• Partnering 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.

What You’ll Bring To Circle

• 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 harnessing the power of 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 and comfort operating 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.

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.

Should you require accommodations or assistance in our interview process because of a disability, please reach out to [e-mail] for support. We respect your privacy and will connect with you separately from our interview process to accommodate your needs.