Senior Finance Manager

STARK is a new kind of defence technology company revolutionizing the way autonomous systems are deployed across multiple domains. We design, develop and manufacture high performance unmanned systems that are software-defined, mass-scalable, and cost effective. This provides our operators with a decisive edge in highly contested environments.We're focused on delivering deployable, high-performance systems-not future promises. In a time of rising threats, STARK is bolstering the technological edge of NATO Allies and their Partners to deter aggression and defend Europe-today.

Your Mission

As our Finance Manager in the UK, your mission is to lay the financial foundation for one of Europe's hottest and fastest-growing defense startups as we expand into a critical strategic market. You'll be our first finance hire on the ground - with a rare opportunity to own finance end-to-end in a high-growth environment. From day one, you'll turn vision into financial reality by implementing the processes, controls, and reporting standards that will scale with us.

You will operate at the intersection of finance, operations, compliance, and strategy, acting as a key business partner to the local Managing Director and driving sustainable growth in a fast-moving, complex environment. This is not a maintenance role - it's a build, challenge, and improve role. You'll be surrounded by high-calibre colleagues and expected to raise the bar further every day.

Responsibilities

• Be the financial backbone of the market: oversee financial strategy, operations, accounting, tax, and treasury.

• Establish and enforce budgetary control, with a focus on cost discipline and financial transparency.

• Act as a Finance Business Partner to local and HQ leadership - delivering insight, not just numbers.

• Lead the budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis cycles. Identify risks and opportunities early and clearly.

• Build and scale financial processes and systems, including the local roll-out of Oracle NetSuite.

• Manage relationships with external advisors, tax authorities, service providers, and banks.

• Oversee day-to-day transactions and prepare detailed financial and administrative reports in collaboration with our local tax advisor.

• Support high-impact projects in collaboration with our HQ Finance team.

Qualifications required

• A completed bachelor's degree in Business Administration or a related field.

• 4-8 years of relevant experience in finance, accounting, or consulting - ideally in a high-performance, fast-paced environment.

• A strong and consistent track record, demonstrated through academic or professional achievements and increasing responsibility.

• Solid understanding of financial statements and financial modelling

• Proficiency with financial systems and tools; experience with Oracle NetSuite is a strong advantage.

• Excellent communication skills in English; professional fluency in German is a plus but not required.

• A structured, detail-oriented mindset with the ability to work independently and manage complexity with confidence.

• A collaborative, service-oriented approach to teamwork - high standards, low ego.

• MUST be eligible for UK Security Clearance

LEGAL DISCLAIMERWe are an equal-opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. Due to the nature of our work in the defence sector, candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance required for the position.