Senior Compliance Specialist (FCRM & Ethics)

KAYAK; United States; Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work policy

Time off

Volunteer Time Off (VTO)

Wellness programs

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

KAYAK is seeking a Senior Compliance Specialist to join our in-house legal and compliance team. You will support Compliance & Ethics, FCRM, and Regulatory programs across the US and international partners, helping translate complex requirements into actionable guidance.

The role emphasizes policy guidance, training coordination, monitoring activities, and risk assessment. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance controls, due diligence, and AI-enabled workflow improvements.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in compliance and ethics, FCRM, sanctions, AML/KYC, or third-party risk.
• Experience supporting regulatory monitoring across multiple jurisdictions.
• Ability to translate complex requirements into actionable guidance.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day operation of Compliance & Ethics, FCRM and regulatory programs.
• Coordinate KYP and third-party due diligence, including information collection and escalation.
• Assist with sanctions screening and risk-based reviews; escalate issues when needed.
• Document risk findings and track mitigations; contribute to risk assessments.
• Develop and deliver compliance training and awareness initiatives.

Skills

Policy guidance

Training coordination

Monitoring activities

KYP & third-party due diligence

Sanctions screening

FCRM / AML-KYC

Regulatory monitoring

AI / workflow automation

Cross-functional collaboration

Data protection & audibility

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

• KAYAK is seeking a motivated, detail-oriented, and proactive Senior Compliance Specialist to join our dynamic in-house legal and compliance team! This versatile role is essential for the smooth operation of our Compliance & Ethics, Financial Crime Risk Management, and Regulatory programs
• We are looking for an upbeat self-starter who is highly organized, thrives in a fast-paced technology environment, and is eager to make a lasting impact on our organization
• Support the day-to-day operation of KAYAK’s Compliance & Ethics, Financial Crime Risk Management (FCRM) programs, including policy guidance, training coordination, and monitoring activities
• Help manage conflicts of interest disclosures, gifts and entertainment reviews, and anti-bribery and corruption processes
• Coordinate Know Your Partner (KYP) and risk-based third-party due diligence for prospective and existing partners, including information collection, review, follow-up, documentation, and escalation
• Assist with sanctions and restricted-country screening, supporting the Booking Holdings Financial Crime Risk Management Centre of Excellence and escalating issues to the appropriate team members as needed
• Identify, document, and elevate potential FCRM, sanctions, ethics, and other compliance risks and issues
• Support risk assessments by gathering information, documenting findings, and tracking approved mitigation actions
• Contribute to compliance training and awareness initiatives, including the Ethics Ambassador Program and compliance communications to employees
• Support regulatory monitoring efforts — tracking new and evolving requirements across US, EU, and UK jurisdictions and helping translate them into actionable guidance for the business
• Help maintain and improve self-service compliance resources, including policies, procedures, process flows, trackers, evidence repositories, and the internal compliance knowledge hub
• Support periodic monitoring, control testing, compliance audits, and preparation of concise reports and management updates
• Identify and support opportunities to use approved AI-enabled tools and workflow automation to streamline compliance processes, while maintaining appropriate human review, data protection, and audibility
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners in People & Culture, Finance, Product, and Engineering on compliance-related matters

Benefits

• Work flexibly: Our global flexible work policy lets our teams decide if they head into one of our offices or work from anywhere else
• Team-wide time off: Most of our team disconnects at the same time each year to recharge and reconnect
• Global volunteer week: Take VTO (Volunteer Time Off) to support the organizations and charitable efforts you believe in
• Wellness: We take care of each other - providing opportunities and spaces to live that work-life balance
• Resource groups: Our five ERGs are employee-led groups for underrepresented communities and their allies
• Career growth: We provide opportunities for our team to develop their skills – or learn new ones – on their own terms

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple workstreams independently and meet deadlines in a fast-moving environment
• Sound judgment and the ability to recognize when a situation calls for escalation, even when the right answer is not obvious
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace tools, including spreadsheets and presentation software
• Experience building productive working relationships across teams and functions
• 5 or more years of experience in compliance and ethics, FCRM, sanctions, AML/KYC, third-party risk, legal operations, or a closely related control function - equivalent experience, training, or transferable skills are considered
• A positive, “can-do” mentality and a genuine eagerness to learn and contribute to a wide range of projects
• Strong written and verbal communication skills — you can explain a complex requirement clearly to someone who is not a lawyer or compliance professional
• Familiarity with one or more of the following areas: sanctions screening and OFAC concepts, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), anti-bribery and corruption, financial crime risks and controls, consumer protection regulation, or platform regulation (such as the EU Digital Services Act or Digital Markets Act)
• Experience working in a technology company, travel industry, or similarly fast-paced, multi-jurisdictional environment
• Interest in using AI and automation tools to improve compliance workflows, documentation, or reporting
• Experience using compliance, workflow, or case-management systems (e.g., learning management systems, helpline platforms, or document management tools)
• Compliance, FCRM, AML, sanctions, or ethics certification such as CCEP, CAMS, or ICA