Global Head of KOL - Kraken Pro

About the role

Lead Kraken's global Key Opinion Leader (KOL) strategy and execution for Kraken Pro. You will be responsible for managing and scaling a business development team focused on regional markets around the world. Your primary goal will be to develop and implement comprehensive KOL programs that attract top influencers in the trading space, including futures, margin trading, spot trading, and proprietary trading. This role involves ensuring that all influencer activities comply with international financial regulations and Kraken's internal standards. You will work closely with marketing, legal, compliance, and business development teams to create scalable processes for sourcing, contracting, and managing KOL relationships. The successful candidate will have a deep understanding of the crypto industry, experience working with influential figures in the trading community, and a proven ability to drive user acquisition through strategic partnerships with KOLs.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Develop and execute Kraken's global KOL strategy, aligning regional and international objectives to maximize outreach and engagement.
• Lead and manage regional business development teams, providing guidance and support to scale KOL sourcing, onboarding, and management processes.
• Create and refine scalable workflows for identifying potential KOLs, negotiating contracts, and managing ongoing relationships.
• Collaborate with technology partners, agencies, and internal teams to implement tools that facilitate efficient KOL lifecycle management.
• Ensure all KOL activities adhere to relevant financial influencer regulations across different jurisdictions, including proper disclosures, content oversight, and payment procedures.
• Work with legal and compliance teams to establish clear guidelines and review processes for influencer content, ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Support the negotiation of deals with KOLs, aiming to secure partnerships that deliver high ROI and meet Kraken's strategic goals.
• Identify and recruit top KOLs specializing in futures, margin trading, spot trading, and proprietary trading, building a diverse and influential network.
• Develop messaging frameworks and content strategies that highlight Kraken Pro's unique advantages, tailored to different regional markets.
• Discover and implement localized initiatives with KOL partners to generate buzz, differentiate Kraken Pro from competitors, and drive specific calls to action.
• Define and continuously improve global program benefits for KOLs, fostering deeper engagement and encouraging feedback to optimize affiliate marketing efforts.
• Monitor the performance of KOL partnerships through analytics, adjusting strategies, deal structures, and messaging to maximize effectiveness.
• Evaluate the success of influencer campaigns and partnerships, providing insights and recommendations for future initiatives.
• Foster strong relationships with influencers, industry leaders, and agency partners to maintain a robust network of crypto trading KOLs.
• Stay updated on industry trends, regulatory changes, and competitive landscape to adapt Kraken's KOL approach accordingly.
• Collaborate with marketing and product teams to ensure KOL messaging aligns with overall brand positioning and product launches.
• Manage budgets allocated for KOL activities, ensuring efficient use of resources and tracking ROI.
• Promote a culture of compliance, transparency, and innovation within the KOL program.
• Lead efforts to expand Kraken's influence in new regions by identifying local KOLs and tailoring strategies to regional markets.
• Support internal teams with insights derived from KOL activities to inform broader marketing and growth strategies.
• Participate in industry events, conferences, and forums to build relationships and stay connected with the trading community and influencers.
• Contribute to the development of Kraken's overall growth and partnership strategies by leveraging KOL relationships.
• Maintain detailed records of KOL contracts, performance metrics, and compliance documentation.
• Work closely with internal teams to ensure KOL campaigns are aligned with product updates, launches, and promotional activities.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the crypto industry, including building and managing a KOL program.
• Extensive experience working with crypto KOLs, especially those focused on trading.
• Proven track record of acquiring new users in a competitive and regulated market.
• Experience collaborating with partners across various global regions.
• Strong understanding of crypto products, revenue models, and regional key players.
• Established network of influencers within the crypto and related sectors.
• Proficiency with software tools to manage KOL lifecycles and scale processes for hundreds of KOLs.
• Experience promoting a wide range of products and utilizing different KOLs for multiple topics.
• Solid background in marketing analytics, including measuring partnership performance.
• Creative thinker with data-driven growth ideas and the ability to advocate for and implement them.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to work across multiple regions and cultural contexts.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail in contract management and compliance.
• Ability to analyze data and derive actionable insights to optimize influencer campaigns.
• Experience working with legal and compliance teams to ensure regulatory adherence.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to manage and motivate teams.
• Knowledge of influencer marketing platforms and tools.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing industry landscapes and regulatory environments.

Nice to have

• Experience working in regulated financial markets beyond crypto.
• Knowledge of compliance standards related to financial influencers.
• Ability to develop localized marketing initiatives tailored to specific regional markets.
• Familiarity with influencer management software and platforms.
• Previous leadership experience within a global organization.
• Fluency in multiple languages to facilitate regional outreach.
• Experience working with legal teams on contract negotiations and compliance issues.
• Understanding of the broader financial services industry and how crypto fits within it.

Skills & tools

• Leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent communication and negotiation abilities.
• Analytical skills for measuring partnership success.
• Knowledge of crypto trading and financial products.
• Familiarity with influencer management software and platforms.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to develop and execute strategic plans.
• Data-driven mindset with the ability to interpret analytics.
• Creative thinking for campaign development.
• Ability to work effectively across diverse cultural and regional contexts.

Practical notes

Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis unless a specific deadline is posted. Candidates may remove age, date of birth, or education dates from their resumes. Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered in line with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. This role is based in the United Kingdom and involves on-site work at the office location. The position is full-time, and compensation details are not specified. The company emphasizes compliance, marketing, finance, legal, business development, partnerships, content, revenue, growth, strategy, and infrastructure as relevant tags.