Head of Risk & Security

Meet the future

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. If you are inspired and fascinated by innovative technology that solves complex, real-world problems, then join us as we transform how financial data is accessed and shared. Akoya offers a highly collaborative, fast-paced, and fun working environment and our team is comprised of diverse, creative, and driven professionals with expertise in the banking, securities, fintech, and data aggregation industries. We are an equal opportunity employer. Come join us and be part of this exciting journey – check out www.akoya.com for more information!

The Role

Akoya is seeking a seasoned, hands-on Head of Risk & Security to lead and mature our cybersecurity, risk management, and IT governance functions as we scale our 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. You will lead and develop a team across security engineering, cyber operations, risk, compliance, and IT, while partnering closely with Engineering, Product, Legal, Customer Success, and Business Development.

This role is ideal for a builder — someone 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
• Fintechs and Data Recipients operating in agile, API-first ecosystems

You will play a critical role in protecting Akoya’s Data Access Network and Open Finance Solution while strengthening trust across our ecosystem of financial institutions and fintech partners.

Key Responsibilities

Risk Management

• 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.

Security & Cyber Operations Leadership

• 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 threa