Business Development & Sales Manager - Central & Eastern Europe (all genders)

About Us STARK is a new kind of defence technology company revolutionising 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 Reporting directly to the Head of Business Development & Capture, you will be a pivotal hire for our International Growth team. We are seeking a Business Development & Sales Manager to drive international growth for STARK’s Unmanned Systems across land, air and sea. This role is critical in STARK’s growth across Europe and will take ownership of identifying, pursuing, and securing new business opportunities in the defence sector within Central & Eastern Europe with a primary focus on Poland and the Baltics. You will work at the intersection between growth, strategic partnerships and market expansion, working with the bid, engineering, legal, finance and export control functions to ensure contract award. Responsibilities • Growth: Opportunity identification, qualification and capture; including shaping longer-term opportunities, developing win strategies, and supporting the proposal processes to secure contracts. • Strategy: Develop and implement the market entry strategies for Poland and the Baltics conducted via a multi-channel strategy. • Internal Engagement: Collaborate with internal teams to align solutions and proposals with customer needs and requirements. • Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders from Government, Ministries of Defence, Procurement bodies, Innovation agencies and Industry. • Bids & Proposals: Develop compelling bids and proposals, ensuring alignment with customer priorities and compliance with defence procurement processes. • Forecasting: Challenge assumptions and requirements to ensure strategies and sales pipelines focus on high-value opportunities and deliver competitive advantages. • External Engagement & Events: Represent STARK at international industry events, trade shows, and client meetings to promote our solutions and build brand recognition. Qualifications • We are looking for an experienced high-energy professional, who combines a “boots on the ground” mindset and a willingness to take real ownership over the strategy and approach for growth. • 5+ years of experience in military, government, sales, business development or strategy roles or a similar role within the defence industry or adjacent sectors. • Proven track record of securing contracts or building long-lasting partnerships and relationships in defence across Central and Eastern Europe. • Experience working with and an understanding of government procurement processes, ideally across Central and Eastern Europe. • Understanding of the political and geopolitical environment, ideally across Central and Eastern Europe. • Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment. You must be able to interface effectively with both internal teams and external stakeholders and have the ability to build trusted relationships throughout. • Adaptability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment with a strong drive for innovation and continuous improvement. • Ideally eligible to obtain and maintain Security Clearance. • Comfortable with international travel. • English language fluency. • Candidates must be willing to live and work in the UK or Poland, with a willingness to travel as required across the region. Nice to have • Language fluency in any language used within Eastern Europe. • Familiarity with Shipley Method or Sales best practice within Defence. • Familiarity with unmanned systems, mission management software, or related technologies. STARK Defence UK has achieved the ERS - The Defence Employer Recognition Bronze award 2026Talent contact:Sally Grütte-Pad, Interim Lead TA Partner, via talent@stark-defence.com