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- Tasks: Lead security initiatives and build a high-performing team in a fast-paced fintech environment.
- Company: Join a high-growth fintech unicorn making waves in the finance tech space.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and the chance to shape security strategy.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on security in a cutting-edge fintech company.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in security engineering with leadership experience in fintech.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for innovation and collaboration across teams.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Head of Security – FinTech Unicorn | LondonHead of Security – FinTech Unicorn | London
Direct message the job poster from Selby Jennings
Finance Tech Team Builder | Bridging Aspirations with Opportunities in Tech
Head of Security/Security Lead – Fintech Unicorn | London (FTE)
A high-growth fintech unicorn is seeking a Head of Security/Security Lead to join its London office. This pivotal role reports directly to the CTO and is responsible for shaping the company\’s security vision, building a robust technical roadmap, and leading a team of engineers in implementing and automating cutting-edge security controls across cloud infrastructure, application security, and threat detection.
This is a hands-on leadership role. While strategic oversight is key, the successful candidate will also be expected to contribute technically-writing code and solving complex problems alongside the team when needed.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Define a multi-year security engineering strategy aligned with business risk appetite and regulatory requirements.
- Drive high-impact initiatives including infrastructure hardening, application security, threat detection and response, and digital asset protection.
- Build, lead, and nurture a high-performing security engineering team.
- Set clear objectives, performance metrics, and career development plans.
Architecture & Engineering Oversight
- Design secure-by-default patterns for AWS, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines, and digital asset custody.
- Conduct threat modeling for distributed systems and approve mitigation strategies.
Automation & Scalability
- Lead efforts to automate vulnerability discovery, measurement, and contextualization.
- Minimize manual processes using Python tooling and Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) scanning.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Act as the primary bridge between Security, Engineering, Operations, and IT.
- Embed security requirements early in product development and support teams throughout delivery.
- Stay ahead of emerging threats such as DeFi exploits and cloud privilege escalation.
- Translate research into actionable controls and incident response playbooks.
Governance & Incident Preparedness
- Develop and test incident response procedures; ensure 24/7 detection coverage.
- Present security posture, metrics, and strategic plans to executive leadership.
Required Qualifications
- 10+ years in security engineering, including 3+ years leading high-performing teams in fintech, exchanges, or large-scale web environments.
- Deep expertise in one or more domains: cloud/infrastructure hardening, application security, detection engineering, or crypto security.
- Proficiency in modern programming languages (Python, Go, Rust) and familiarity with microservices and distributed systems.
- Experience conducting threat modeling for high-value, low-latency trading or custody platforms.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to translate technical risks into business impact.
Preferred Qualifications
- Leadership experience in financial institutions, broker-dealers, or regulated digital asset platforms.
- Knowledge of custody models, MPC wallets, or DeFi smart contract risks.
- Advanced degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field.
Seniority level
- Seniority levelMid-Senior level
Employment type
- Employment typeFull-time
Job function
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Head of Security - FinTech Unicorn | London employer: Selby Jennings
Contact Detail:
Selby Jennings Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Security - FinTech Unicorn | London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the fintech space, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly message on LinkedIn can go a long way in getting your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you have a portfolio or GitHub with relevant projects, make sure to share it during interviews. It’s a great way to demonstrate your technical prowess and problem-solving abilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the unexpected! Be ready to tackle technical questions or case studies during interviews. Practising common security scenarios can help you shine and show that you’re hands-on and ready to lead.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After an interview, send a quick thank-you note to express your appreciation. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Security - FinTech Unicorn | London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Security role. Highlight your experience in security engineering, especially in fintech, and showcase any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about security in the fintech space and how you can contribute to our vision. Keep it engaging and relevant to the job description.
Showcase Technical Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your technical prowess! Mention your proficiency in programming languages like Python or Go, and any experience with cloud infrastructure or threat detection. We love seeing candidates who can get hands-on!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Selby Jennings
✨Know Your Security Landscape
Before the interview, brush up on the latest trends in security engineering, especially in fintech. Be ready to discuss emerging threats like DeFi exploits and cloud privilege escalation, as well as how you would address them.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Since this role requires hands-on leadership, be prepared to demonstrate your coding skills in languages like Python or Go. You might be asked to solve a technical problem on the spot, so practice coding challenges relevant to security engineering.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Think about how you would define a multi-year security strategy aligned with business goals. Be ready to share examples of high-impact initiatives you've led, focusing on infrastructure hardening and application security.
✨Communicate Effectively
Strong communication is key in this role. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms, as you'll need to translate technical risks into business impacts for executive leadership. Use clear examples from your past experiences.
