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 <p style="line-height:1.2217333316802979;margin-left:-0.0269927978515625pt;margin-right:0.27581787109375pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:8.032012939453125pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 0pt 0.08099365234375pt;">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. <p style="line-height:1.2217333316802979;margin-left:-0.0269927978515625pt;margin-right:0.27581787109375pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:8.032012939453125pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 0pt 0.08099365234375pt;">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. <p style="line-height:1.2217333316802979;margin-left:-0.0269927978515625pt;margin-right:0.27581787109375pt;text-align:justify;margin-top:8.032012939453125pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 0pt 0.08099365234375pt;">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 <ul><li>Growth: Opportunity identification, qualification and capture; including shaping longer-term opportunities, developing win strategies, and supporting the proposal processes to secure contracts. </li><li>Strategy: Develop and implement the market entry strategies for Poland and the Baltics conducted via a multi-channel strategy. </li><li>Internal Engagement: Collaborate with internal teams to align solutions and proposals with customer needs and requirements. </li><li>Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders from Government, Ministries of Defence, Procurement bodies, Innovation agencies and Industry. </li><li>Bids & Proposals: Develop compelling bids and proposals, ensuring alignment with customer priorities and compliance with defence procurement processes. </li><li>Forecasting: Challenge assumptions and requirements to ensure strategies and sales pipelines focus on high-value opportunities and deliver competitive advantages. </li><li>External Engagement & Events: Represent STARK at international industry events, trade shows, and client meetings to promote our solutions and build brand recognition. </li></ul> Qualifications <ul style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;"><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">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.</li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">5+ years of experience in military, government, sales, business development or strategy roles or a similar role within the defence industry or adjacent sectors. </li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Proven track record of securing contracts or building long-lasting partnerships and relationships in defence across Central and Eastern Europe. </li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Experience working with and an understanding of government procurement processes, ideally across Central and Eastern Europe. </li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Understanding of the political and geopolitical environment, ideally across Central and Eastern Europe. </li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#212529;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">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. </li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#212529;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Adaptability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment with a strong drive for innovation and continuous improvement. </li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#212529;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Ideally eligible to obtain and maintain Security Clearance. </li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#212529;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Comfortable with international travel. </li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">English language fluency. </li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Candidates must be willing to live and work in the UK or Poland, with a willingness to travel as required across the region. </li></ul> Nice to have <ul><li>Language fluency in any language used within Eastern Europe.</li><li>Familiarity with Shipley Method or Sales best practice within Defence. </li><li>Familiarity with unmanned systems, mission management software, or related technologies. </li></ul> <span style="border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);margin:0px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;text-transform:none;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;">STARK <span style="border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);margin:0px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-size:small;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;text-transform:none;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);display:inline;">Defence UK has achieved the ERS - The Defence Employer Recognition Bronze award 2026<br style="border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;text-transform:none;font-family:Roboto, sans-serif, Inter, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(66,66,66);font-size:14px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);"><br style="border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;text-transform:none;font-family:Roboto, sans-serif, Inter, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(66,66,66);font-size:14px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);"><span style="border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);margin:0px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;text-transform:none;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;">Talent contact:<br style="border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);margin:0px;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;text-transform:none;font-family:Roboto, sans-serif, Inter, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(66,66,66);font-size:14px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);"><span style="border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);margin:0px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-style:normal;font-weight:400;text-transform:none;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;">Sally Grütte-Pad, Interim Lead TA Partner, via [email protected]

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

About this role

Ready to apply?