Senior Counsel, Legal & Compliance

OpenSea•New York CIty, NY

12h•$195,000 - $280,000•Hybrid

About The Position

OpenSea is the gateway to web3’s next chapter—where NFTs, fungible tokens, and emerging digital assets converge to create open, user-owned economies. As a foundational player in the crypto space, we’re building infrastructure that supports millions of users and sets new standards for how people discover and exchange digital value. Our team is small but mighty: hands-on, fast-moving, and deeply committed to shipping meaningful work. We're remote-first by design, AI-empowered by default, and guided by values that prioritize ownership, trust, and progress. At OpenSea, you’ll be challenged to grow fast while being supported by a talent-dense team shaping the future of crypto. We’re looking for a Senior Counsel, Legal & Compliance to join our lean, highly embedded legal team. This hybrid role leads our illicit finance and sanctions compliance program while owning our privacy and data regulatory function. You’ll run critical pillars on a four-person team that supports product, regulatory strategy, and commercial work. This is a high-ownership role in a non-siloed environment where you’ll partner closely with Engineering and Product, make real disposition calls, and help shape a modern, AI-native legal and compliance function in web3.

Requirements

JD and 5–7+ years of experience in sanctions/OFAC compliance, AML, or financial crimes, with demonstrated depth of ownership
Working knowledge of privacy laws and regulatory frameworks, including GDPR and CCPA/CPRA
Strong understanding of blockchain technology, crypto, and digital asset markets
Proven judgment and decision-making experience—you’ve made disposition calls, not just escalated issues
Experience working cross-functionally with Engineering, Product, and business stakeholders
Ability to operate autonomously in a lean, fast-paced environment where you own outcomes
Enthusiasm for AI tools and process innovation, with a willingness to experiment and improve how legal work gets done

Responsibilities

Lead Illicit Finance & Sanctions Compliance
Own and evolve OpenSea’s OFAC sanctions and counter-illicit finance compliance program, including wallet screening, alert management, and enforcement of controls
Interpret and advise on changes to sanctions regimes.
Work with our compliance investigator to investigate and adjudicate edge cases, making disposition decisions on whether to block, escalate, or clear activity
Execute annual risk assessments and country risk assessments
Prepare and deliver quarterly compliance reporting to senior leadership
Own Privacy & Data Regulatory Compliance
Lead GDPR and other privacy and data regulatory frameworks (including CCPA/CPRA)
Support product teams with privacy risk analysis for new features and integrations
Contribute Across the Legal Function
Support contract negotiation as capacity allows in a collaborative, team-oriented environment
Track legislative and regulatory developments and flag implications for the business
Provide input on important submissions and regulatory filings
Think about legal and regulatory risk holistically as part of a nimble team

Benefits

🏥 Health Benefits: We cover 100% Dental/Vision/Medical for employees and 90% for dependents
🌴 Flexible Time Off Policy: Our flexible time off policy is aimed at letting our employees take as much time off as they'd like to refresh so long as it doesn't interfere with their ability to meet their goals and contribute effectively to company velocity
👶 Parental Leave: 16 Weeks of Paid Parental Bonding & up to 8 additional weeks for the birthing parent
💛 Mental Health: We offer access to Spring Health, covering 8 therapy & 8 coaching sessions per year
📅 11 Company Holidays
🏦 Fidelity 401K Plan
📱 Internet/Mobile Reimbursement Plan
🧘 Reimbursement or Monthly Snack Delivery
✈ Company & Team retreats to get together for fun and collaboration
☕ Team Member Co-Working and Gathering Expense
🖥 MacBook Pro & WFH Stipend to make sure you are set up for success
🌯 Weekly $50 Uber Eats credit