Head of Finance

Fotokite develops autonomous, high-endurance tethered unmanned aerial systems to help firefighters and public safety teams save lives. Fotokite systems allow first responders to quickly and easily gain situational awareness after arriving at emergency scenes: our autonomous one-touch launch/land system makes operation simple and safe; the dual color and thermal camera payload provides situational awareness from the system's aerial perspective; and actively tethered flight means the system can be flown without a certified pilot, and can be left flying for as long as the situation requires. As the Head of Finance and Controlling, you will be responsible for transforming and leading the financial backbone of the company, building a future-proof Finance & Controlling function. This role centers on driving digitalization and automation to ensure scalable processes, establishing robust financial planning, and developing data-driven decision support. Professionalizes controlling, manages financial health and risk, and fosters a culture of continuous improvement, ultimately enabling the company's next phase of growth. Financial Planning Establish and lead all financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes. Develop and execute a future-oriented financial strategy centered on scalability, digitalization, automation, and maximizing forecast accuracy. Act as a strategic partner to executive management, providing timely, sound financial analyses and reports to inform strategic planning and major business decisions. Develop robust financial forecasts, scenarios, and business cases for new products, investments, and market entries, analyzing impact across the entire value chain. Operations & Process Excellence Professionalize the accounting function and develop a robust controlling framework, including the implementation of standards and best practices. Drive the successful implementation of modern ERP and BI systems to enable data-driven decision-making across the organization. Oversee and ensure the timely and accurate preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements. Design and implement a comprehensive, KPI-based reporting structure, preparing and presenting regular financial reports and insightful analyses to management and stakeholders. Foster an agile and process-oriented culture across the entire Finance & Controlling domain. Treasury & Risk Management Ensure optimal liquidity planning and cash flow management to maintain the financial stability and operational runway of the company. Identify, assess, and mitigate significant financial risks through proactive risk management strategies. Manage banking relationships and oversee all financing and treasury activities. Coordinate external audits and manage all professional relationships with auditors. Team Leadership Build, lead, mentor, and develop the Finance & Controlling team, instilling a culture of continuous improvement, high performance, and collaboration. Qualifications and Skills Education & Experience University degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a related field. Several years of progressive professional experience in Finance & Controlling, with several years in a senior/leadership role. Proven experience in establishing, structuring, and scaling a Finance & Controlling organization is highly desirable. Core Competencies Deep expertise in process analysis and optimization, specifically the development and implementation of best-practice standards in controlling and financial reporting. Exceptional ability in financial risk management and comprehensive budget planning. Excellent analytical and conceptual skills, capable of translating complex data into actionable insights. Demonstrated leadership experience with a proven track record of successfully building, motivating, and developing high-performing teams. Very strong IT acumen, including proficiency in IT controlling concepts and advanced knowledge of common ERP, BI, and controlling tools. Previous experience with Odoo is a plus. Personal Attributes & Language Superior communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex financial issues clearly to both financial and non-financial stakeholders. Highly proactive, assertive, and possessing a structured, results-oriented working methodology. Fluency in both written and spoken German and English required (C1/C2 level preferred).