Director, Legal Compliance - Crypto Mastercard Transaction Services

Our Purpose

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

Title and Summary

Director, Legal Compliance – Crypto Mastercard Transaction Services

Overview
At Mastercard, we are committed to protecting our network and solutions from being used to facilitate money laundering and terrorist financing. The Director, Legal Compliance-Crypto, MTS will report to the MTS US AML/CFT Officer, MTS. MTS is a strategic enterprise asset within Mastercard’s Commercial and New Payment Flows organization. It provides compliance services across regulated and non-regulated payment flows, including crypto-related services.
This role will closely collaborate with the Director, Digital Currency Enablement, MTS. The role is designed to develop and oversee MTS’ Operations Team, with occasional involvement in MTS’ FIU cryptocurrency alert investigations and regulatory reporting.


The Role

• Build and oversee MTS’ Operations Team, which manages AML/Sanctions onboarding, due diligence, transaction monitoring, and investigations for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) and crypto-related programs, including:

o Crypto card programs
o Stablecoins (e.g., USDC, PYUSD)
o Send Crypto programs
o Crypto Credential

• Design, implement, and maintain MTS’ crypto compliance framework, including updates to policies and procedures and management information systems
• Lead cross-functional efforts to onboard crypto partners, conduct risk assessments, and develop robust compliance controls.
• Partner closely with Legal, Regulatory, Risk, Product, and Engineering teams to ensure seamless integration of crypto services.
• Lead compliance discussions on initiatives such as stablecoin settlements and crypto card programs.
• Assist with responding to regulatory exams, audits, and inquiries.
• Oversee the tuning and optimization of blockchain analytics tools used across crypto services.
• Oversee escalations from the Operations Team utilizing blockchain analytics and traditional compliance tools as needed
• Manage and oversee training and guidance to internal teams on crypto compliance tools, risks and investigative techniques including on and off-chain due diligence, advanced on chain analytics.
• Occasionally support the FIU Team in investigating and reporting crypto-related payments.
• Maintain strong industry knowledge of regulatory developments, industry trends, and best practices in crypto compliance, and update internal policies and procedures accordingly.

All About You

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Manager-level crypto compliance or risk management within financial services or payments.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in cryptocurrency, stablecoins, and money transfer systems.
• Strong understanding of crypto compliance (AML, KYC, Sanctions, transaction monitoring, investigations), ideally within a regulated fintech or crypto-native environment.
• Strong understanding of card payments, digital commerce, blockchain analytics, and cross-border payment flows.
• Minimum 3 years of experience delivering crypto compliance training and presenting case studies to global audiences.
• Experience in process mapping and compliance framework development.
• Proven ability to manage onboarding and risk assessments for crypto assets and VASPs.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and drive results across teams.
• Excellent attention to detail, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Deep knowledge of AML, BSA, USA PATRIOT Act, and OFAC requirements.
• Preferred certifications: ACAMS, CFE, blockchain analytics (e.g., Elliptic, Crystal).
• Advanced skills in cryptocurrency investigations, OSINT, and tracing techniques.
• Digitally fluent with experience in process automation and scalable compliance solutions.
• Proficient in MS Office tools (PowerPoint, Excel, Visio).

Mastercard is a merit-based, inclusive, equal opportunity employer that considers applicants without regard to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disabled or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We hire the most qualified candidate for the role. In the US or Canada, if you require accommodations or assistance to complete the online application process or during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected] and identify the type of accommodation or assistance you are requesting. Do not include any medical or health information in this email. The Reasonable Accommodations team will respond to your email promptly.

Corporate Security Responsibility

All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must:

• Abide by Mastercard’s security policies and practices;

• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;

• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and

• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard’s guidelines.

In line with Mastercard’s total compensation philosophy and assuming that the job will be performed in the US, the successful candidate will be offered a competitive base salary and may be eligible for an annual bonus or commissions depending on the role. The base salary offered may vary depending on multiple factors, including but not limited to location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Mastercard benefits for full time (and certain part time) employees generally include: insurance (including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, disability, life insurance); flexible spending account and health savings account; paid leaves (including 16 weeks of new parent leave and up to 20 days of bereavement leave); 80 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time, 25 days of vacation time and 5 personal days, pro-rated based on date of hire; 10 annual paid U.S. observed holidays; 401k with a best-in-class company match; deferred compensation for eligible roles; fitness reimbursement or on-site fitness facilities; eligibility for tuition reimbursement; and many more. Mastercard benefits for interns generally include: 56 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time; jury duty leave; and on-site fitness facilities in some locations.

Pay Ranges

Purchase, New York: $177,000 - $283,000 USD