Description
Founded in 2020, Kaiko Systems is a tech company driving digital innovation in the global maritime industry. Our mission is to make shipping safer, smarter, and more collaborative by transforming manual processes into actionable intelligence.
With our products, ship crews can collect reliable vessel data on the job, while our AI-powered analysis generates actionable insights for technical teams onshore. These insights help predict incidents, reduce downtime, and enhance safety and efficiency, empowering shipping companies to operate at their best.
At Kaiko Systems, we’re not just building technology — we’re delivering solutions that make a real difference in people’s work lives and their professional environment. Join us as we navigate the future of maritime together.
Your mission
As our Head of Finance, you’ll own Kaiko Systems’ financial strategy and operations, supporting our growth from a Series A stage SaaS company into a scalable, global business. You will partner closely with the CEO and other department heads (including Marketing, Sales, and Product) to ensure financial health, enable sound decision-making, and drive efficiency across the company. This is a highly strategic yet hands-on role, suited for someone eager to shape the financial future of a high-growth tech company.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Financial Strategy & Planning
- Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and scenario modeling across the business.
- Own long-term financial models supporting growth, margin improvement, and investor readiness.
- Act as a strategic sparring partner to the CEO and leadership team.
2. Controlling & Reporting
- Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual closing processes in collaboration with accounting partners.
- Manage financial reporting to internal and external stakeholders (e.g. management, board, investors).
- Track and analyze KPIs and unit economics relevant to SaaS (e.g. CAC, LTV, NRR).
3. Cash & Capital Management
- Monitor cash flow, runway, and liquidity risks.
- Support fundraising and debt financing processes, including due diligence and investor relations.
- Maintain cap table, VSOP programs, and share-based compensation tracking.
4. Compliance & Risk
- Ensure compliance with tax, audit, and regulatory obligations (Germany + international as we grow).
- Coordinate with legal, accounting, and audit partners.
- Establish internal controls and risk management frameworks.
5. Systems & Processes
- Build scalable financial systems, processes, and dashboards.
- Own procurement policies, spend management, and approval flows.
- Introduce finance operations tooling as needed (ERP, FP&A systems, integrations, etc.).
Your experience & skillset to navigate success:
- 6+ years of experience in Finance, ideally with exposure to SaaS, scale-ups, or VC-funded environments.
- Strong FP&A and strategic finance skills; background in investment banking, consulting, or audit a plus.
- Hands-on experience with accounting principles, budgeting tools, and business modeling.
- Confident communicator with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders.
- Comfortable operating both strategically and operationally in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.
- Fluent German and English language skills.
Worried you don’t check every box? If this role excites you, but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway.
You could be exactly what we’re looking for — either for this role or another one!
Why us?
- Join a highly ambitious and diverse team with a collaborative working environment at a very exciting time in the company’s development, as we scale on the back of significant product market fit
- Be at the forefront of digitalization in a critical global industry
- Great office in the heart of Berlin as well as flexible / remote options
- Flexible and hybrid work environment that values work-life balance
- Generous vacation policy on top of bank holidays
At Kaiko Systems, we believe that innovation thrives when diverse perspectives come together. As a forward-thinking maritime tech startup, we are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels empowered to contribute their unique talents and experiences. We value every individual’s cultural background, gender identity, age, ability, or any other characteristic that makes you who you are. By embracing these differences, we create an environment where collaboration flourishes and ideas grow. If you share our passion for revolutionizing the maritime sector through technology, we’d love to hear from you. Let’s chart new waters together.
About us
We’re a growing company, expanding both our business and our team. To ensure everyone feels safe, can perform at their best, and to keep the company successful in uncharted waters, we’ve aligned on a set of values that guide us:
- Be the G.O.A.T — We take initiative and own the outcome, hold ourselves and others accountable, execute with excellence, and we are curious to learn
- Promote Joy, Respect & Sincerity — We enjoy our time together, leave our ego at the door, treat others with respect and seek truth together
- Have the Customer at Heart — We stay focused, strive for simplicity, use data to lead discussions and make decisions collaboratively
These values shape how we work together and will be a part of our conversations during the recruiting process. By living these principles, we create an environment where both our people and our business can thrive, navigating challenges with confidence and purpose.
