Compliance and Legal Operations Associate

Location: United States (Remote)

Time Zone: Eastern Time Preferred

Role Overview

We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Compliance and Legal Operations Associate to join our growing compliance and legal team. In this role, you will support the day-to-day operations of our compliance program, ensuring adherence to applicable legal and regulatory requirements across KYC/KYB, AML, sanctions, and licensing functions. The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience in financial services or fintech compliance, a strong sense of ownership, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving regulatory environment.

This isn't a sit-in-a-corner-and-redline-NDAs kind of role. You'll be embedded in the business, working across teams, and helping us figure out how to do things right as we scale. You'll report directly to the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) with a dotted line to the Co-Founder / President.

Key Responsibilities

Licensing & Regulatory Operations

Support the money transmitter licensing (MTL) process, including preparation and submission of applications and renewals across U.S. jurisdictions
Maintain and update the NMLS platform and associated records
Track regulatory obligations and deadlines company-wide and flag emerging compliance requirements
Assist with the development, drafting, and updating of compliance policies and procedures

KYC / AML / Sanctions

Conduct KYC and KYB reviews for new and existing customers, including Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) for higher-risk accounts
Review source of funds documentation to verify the legitimacy of customer funds
Monitor and review transactions and sanctions alerts, determining appropriate escalation paths
Draft and file Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) using the BSA E-Filing system

Legal & Operational Support

Support client onboarding from a legal perspective — reviewing due diligence docs, flagging risk issues, and helping close deals faster
Review marketing materials, website copy, and product communications for legal and regulatory accuracy
Handle general corporate housekeeping — entity maintenance, board minutes, corporate filings, and similar tasks as they come up
Maintain and organize compliance and legal documents, records, and filing systems
Support due diligence processes to assess potential legal risks and liabilities
Assist with legal holds, subpoena responses, and document collection requests
Provide general operational support to the legal and compliance team

Quality Assurance & Audits

Conduct internal quality assurance audits on compliance staff reviews
Develop and implement risk assessments in response to regulatory changes
Support client audits related to AML/KYC requirements
Assist with remediation efforts identified through audits or regulatory examinations

Who This Role Is For

Someone who is:

Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
Self-starter who can work independently and take ownership of projects from initiation through completion
Comfortable navigating ambiguous regulatory environments and adapting to changing priorities
Collaborative team player who can work effectively across compliance, legal, and operations functions
Demonstrated integrity and discretion when handling sensitive or confidential information

Qualifications

Required

2+ years of experience in compliance, paralegal, or legal operations roles within financial services, fintech, or cryptocurrency
Working knowledge of BSA/AML regulations, KYC/KYB requirements, and sanctions screening
Familiarity with SAR filing and the BSA E-Filing system
Experience conducting internal audits or quality assurance reviews
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft clear compliance documentation
Proficiency with compliance or legal platforms (e.g., Chainalysis, TRM, Chaindots, or similar)

Preferred

Experience with and/or interest in fintech, payments, or crypto
Exposure to money transmitter licensing processes and NMLS
Paralegal or similar experience working within a legal department/law firm
CAMS certification (completed or in progress) or other relevant compliance certifications (e.g., TRM Crypto Compliance, Chainalysis Reactor)

Reporting Structure

Reports to Chief Compliance Officer (CCO)
Works closely with the Co-Founder / President and cross-functionally with Team Leads

Compensation and Benefits

Competitive salary ($70K–$90K) plus meaningful equity in a pre-launch company.
Fully remote work — work from wherever you do your best thinking.
The chance to build a legal and compliance function from the ground up, not just maintain one.
Direct mentorship from an experienced Co-Founder (defacto GC) and CCO — you'll learn more here in a year than in three years at a big firm.
A team that values ownership, speed, and doing things the right way.
Health coverage (medical, dental, vision), paid time off, and additional perks to help you thrive in and out of work.

Cyclops

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Compliance and Legal Operations Associate (Remote)