Head of Risk & Security

Akoya•Boston, MA

9h•Remote

About The Position

Akoya is an API-based network backed by major financial institutions that creates a safer and more transparent way for people to safely send their personal financial data to third-party financial apps. Akoya offers a highly collaborative, fast-paced, and fun working environment, and its team is comprised of diverse, creative, and driven professionals with expertise in the banking, securities, fintech, and data aggregation industries. Akoya is seeking a seasoned, hands-on Head of Risk & Security to lead and mature its cybersecurity, risk management, and IT governance functions as the company scales its secure, API-driven open finance network. This leader will serve as the operational backbone of Akoya’s security and risk programs, translating strategy into execution. The role involves leading and developing a team across security engineering, cyber operations, risk, compliance, and IT, while partnering closely with Engineering, Product, Legal, Customer Success, and Business Development. This position is ideal for a builder who has scaled capabilities in security and risk functions in startup or fintech environments and understands the unique demands of serving both Financial Institutions (Data Providers) with rigorous regulatory and third-party risk requirements and Fintechs and Data Recipients operating in agile, API-first ecosystems. The Head of Risk & Security will play a critical role in protecting Akoya’s Data Access Network and Open Finance Solution while strengthening trust across its ecosystem of financial institutions and fintech partners.

Requirements

12+ years in enterprise risk, cybersecurity, or information security.
5+ years leading risk/security teams in fintech, SaaS, or regulated environments.
Experience building or scaling security programs in startup or high-growth organizations.
Deep cloud security expertise (AWS required; multi-cloud a plus).
Strong hands-on knowledge of Zero-trust architecture.
Strong hands-on knowledge of Secure SDLC.
Strong hands-on knowledge of Threat modeling.
Strong hands-on knowledge of Vulnerability management.
Strong hands-on knowledge of Incident response.
Demonstrated ownership of SOC 2 and regulatory audits.
Experience working with regulated financial institutions (bank-side risk expectations).
Experience working with Fintechs or API-based SaaS platforms (data recipient expectations).

Nice To Haves

Experience in open banking / open finance ecosystems.
Familiarity with FDX standards and OAuth/OIDC-based authentication models.
Certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CRISC, or equivalent.
Experience briefing executives or board-level stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Mature and execute Akoya’s enterprise risk management (ERM) framework.
Develop and track key risk indicators (KRIs) aligned with business OKRs.
Lead third-party risk management across fintech partners, vendors, and service providers.
Conduct product risk assessments across new open finance capabilities.
Support regulatory readiness related to CFPB Section 1033 and evolving open banking requirements.
Lead day-to-day execution of Akoya’s cybersecurity program across product, infrastructure, and corporate environments.
Operationalize secure-by-design principles across SDLC in partnership with Engineering.
Oversee vulnerability management, penetration testing, red teaming, and incident response.
Drive continuous improvement of zero-trust cloud architectures (AWS-centric).
Enhance monitoring, automation, and threat intelligence capabilities.
Own operational execution of SOC 2 Type II and other certifications.
Ensure alignment with NIST, ISO 27001/27002, GLBA, SOX, PCI (as applicable).
Partner closely with Legal and Product on regulatory interpretation and implementation.
Respond to due diligence inquiries from financial institutions, fintechs, investors, and regulators.
Oversee corporate IT governance in partnership with the IT Systems Administrator (end-user security, device management, identity, remote access).
Ensure strong IAM, endpoint protection, DLP, encryption, and secure collaboration tooling.
Align IT and Security controls with remote-first operating model.
Lead and mentor security engineers, risk analysts, and IT personnel.
Build scalable team structure aligned with growth in API volume and institutional adoption.
Foster a strong security culture where accountability and transparency are embedded across functions.
Act as a senior advisor to ELT.
Interface directly with security and risk leaders at major financial institutions and fintech clients.
Support sales and customer conversations requiring deep technical credibility.
Represent Akoya in industry forums and working groups (e.g., FDX-aligned initiatives).