Finance & Operations Manager

About Us

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 are 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 and Operations Manager in Greece, your mission is to serve as the strategic and operational right hand to the local Managing Director, laying the foundation for one of Europes fastest growing defence startups. This position is designed for a high achiever who thrives on removing obstacles to enable the company's growth trajectoryYou will be our first Business/Finance hire on the ground — with a rare opportunity to own not just the P&L, but the entire operational engine. You will turn vision into reality by implementing the financial processes, administrative workflows, and compliance standards that will allow our R&D and Sales teams to focus entirely on innovation and customersYou will operate at the intersection of finance, general operations, HR, and strategy. You will act asa force multiplier for the local leadership, driving sustainable growth in a fast-moving, complex environment. This is not a maintenance role — it's a build, challenge, and improve role where no task is too small, and no ambition is too big

Responsibilities

Finance Leadership:
Be the financial backbone of the market: oversee financial strategy, accounting, tax, and treasury. Own the local P&L and cash flow management

Strategic Partner:
Act as a "Chief of Staff" / Business Partner to the local MD, providing data-driveninsights to support strategic decisions and pitch decks

Operational Excellence:
Manage day-to-day administrative operations, including office management, IT equipment procurement, and vendor relationships, ensuring the R&D team can focus on development

Planning & Analysis:
Lead the budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis cycles. Identify risksand opportunities early

Systems Implementation:
Build and scale financial processes, including the local roll-out of OracleNetSuite

People Operations:
Oversee local HR administration (payroll coordination, employment contracts, onboarding) and ensure compliance with Greek labor laws

Stakeholder Management:
Manage relationships with external advisors, tax authorities, auditors and banks

Project Management:
Lead cross-departmental projects (e.g., office moves, grant applications)and resolve operational bottlenecks

Qualifications

• High operational agency: You do what is needed to keep the operations running
• Fluent Greek and English communication skills (you would be dealing with local authorities and the international HQ)
• 4+ years of relevant experience in high-growth environments
• Collaborative, service-oriented approach to teamwork — high standards, low ego
• Experience with hardware, manufacturing or R&D environment is a plus
• Structured, detail-oriented mindset with the ability to work independently and manage complexity with confidence
• A completed bachelor's degree in business administration or a related field
• Willingness to relocate to Thessaloniki, in case Thessaloniki is not homebase
• A strong and consistent track record, demonstrated through academic or professional achievements and increasing responsibility
• Solid understanding of financial statements and financial modeling