Head of Risk

Step

Head of Risk leading fraud prevention and risk decisioning for Step’s mobile-first consumer banking platform. Scaling risk operations, teams, and controls while protecting customer experience during hyper-growth.

Posted 8/7/2026full-timeRemote • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive expertise in risk leadership, analytics, and fraud mitigation within Fintech or Banking environments. Capable of developing and implementing strategies that balance user experience with security, while fostering a customer-centric risk culture.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Risk LeadershipRisk AnalyticsFraud Mitigation StrategiesCross-Functional CollaborationTeam Building and Mentoring

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Risk AnalyticsFraud Loss ManagementData ScienceRisk Prediction ModelsTransactional Fraud NeutralizationDefense Strategies Against FraudCustomer Experience OptimizationOperational Cost ManagementAutomated Risk SolutionsPayment Platforms

Soft Skills

Analytical LeadershipOutcome-Oriented MindsetCustomer AdvocacyConsensus-BuildingStakeholder Alignment

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree

Industry Keywords

FintechBankingRisk OperationsAnalyticsDisputesInvestigations

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead Step’s Risk strategy balancing aggressive fraud mitigation with a frictionless user experience
Partner cross-functionally with Data Science, Product, Engineering, and Compliance to embed risk-aware decisioning into the product lifecycle
Own fraud loss outcomes with Finance, balancing revenue growth against risk overhead and operational costs
Scale the Risk organization for hyper-growth by prioritizing automated, technical-first solutions
Continuously improve risk prediction models to minimize false positives and enhance precision
Execute a customer-centric risk culture focused on user trust and retention
Report to the Chief Operating Officer

Requirements

What you’ll need

10+ years of high-impact risk leadership
Strong expertise in risk analytics and/or data science preferred
Proven analytical leadership using data to navigate complex challenges and drive strategic business results
Extensive Fintech or Banking experience managing high-risk consumer technology environments and payment platforms
Demonstrated success neutralising transactional fraud with accountability for fraud losses
Expertise developing defense strategies against first-party and friendly fraud
Experience collaborating with Product teams to deliver seamless customer experiences without compromising security
Outcome-oriented mindset and commitment to customer advocacy
Mastery of cross-functional influence, consensus-building, and stakeholder alignment
Extensive experience building and mentoring multidisciplinary teams across Risk Operations, Analytics, Disputes, and Investigations
Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive compensation
Stock options
Generous medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Company-paid life insurance
401k plan with Safe Harbor company matching
Flexible vacation policy
Paid company holidays
12 weeks paid parental leave with flexible return to work
Company-provided technology package
Reasonable accommodations throughout the application and interview process