Who you are

• 10+ years of progressive experience in security leadership roles, with demonstrated expertise in cybersecurity, physical security, and risk management, preferably in fintech, crypto, or high-tech environments
• Proven track record in developing and implementing comprehensive security strategies, including blockchain/DeFi security (e.g., smart contract auditing, cryptographic protocols) and physical protections (e.g., executive security, facility assessments)
• Strong leadership skills with experience building and mentoring high-performing teams, including oversight of engineers and coordination with cross-functional stakeholders
• Expertise in incident response, crisis management, threat intelligence, and compliance frameworks (e.g., SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, AML/KYC); experience achieving certifications is highly desirable
• Proficiency in secure software development, infrastructure security (e.g., cloud, Kubernetes, AWS), and tools for monitoring, automation, and vulnerability mitigation
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities to convey complex security concepts to technical teams, executives, regulators, and non-technical stakeholders
• Strategic thinker with adaptability in dynamic environments, strong problem-solving, and a proactive approach to risk management
• Experience in budget and vendor management for security operations
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Security, or a related field; advanced certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CRISC, or similar are a plus
• Familiarity with DeFi-specific risks and technologies is highly desirable
• If you subscribe to the mission of separating the dollar from the state, then we want to hear from you!

What the job involves

• As the Head of Security, you will lead and own the comprehensive security strategy for our Ethena
• You will be functionally accountable for all aspects of security, ensuring the protection of our assets, infrastructure, data, personnel, and facilities
• This includes cybersecurity, blockchain security, physical security, and operational security
• This is a pivotal opportunity to build a security-first culture in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment where DeFi innovations meet real-world risks
• You will collaborate closely with Product Engineering, DeFi Engineering, Security Engineering, DevOps and non-engineering teams to embed security into every facet of our operations, from smart contract development to physical site protections
• By driving compliance, incident response, and proactive threat mitigation, you'll safeguard our users' funds, maintain regulatory alignment, and position the company for scalable growth in the evolving crypto landscape
• Develop and execute a holistic security strategy encompassing cybersecurity, blockchain security, physical security, and operational security, aligning with industry standards (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001) and DeFi-specific risks
• Oversee blockchain and smart contract security, including audits, formal verification, secure key management, and protections against exploits like reentrancy or flash loan attacks
• Build and enforce a robust cybersecurity framework, including threat detection systems (e.g., SIEM, IDS/IPS), secure DevOps practices, penetration testing, and vulnerability assessments
• Manage physical security operations, including access controls, surveillance, executive protection programs, travel risk assessments, and site audits for offices, data centers, events, and key personnel residences
• Drive compliance and regulatory alignment, achieving milestones such as SOC 2 and ISO 270001; prepare for audits and liaise with regulators
• Establish incident response and crisis management plans, conducting simulations, drills, and rapid recovery for cyber, physical, or hybrid threats to minimize downtime and losses
• Foster a security-first culture through training, workshops, and integration of security-by-design principles across all teams
• Lead and scale the security team, hiring and mentoring Senior/Staff Security Engineers (and potentially physical security specialists), while overseeing the Security Engineering team
• Implement real-time monitoring, threat intelligence, and performance metrics for digital and physical assets
• Manage security budgets, vendor relationships, and resources to optimize effectiveness
• Future-proof security for growth, anticipating emerging threats in DeFi and adapting systems for new products, integrations, and expanded operations

The application process

• We look forward to receiving your application and will be in touch after having a chance to review