Head of Accounting

In September 2022, the Nordstream explosions delivered a wake-up call that reverberated across every European capital: the vast network of subsea infrastructure that underpins our energy supply, data connectivity, and economic security is dangerously exposed. In recent years, the seabed security landscape is evolving rapidly and Optics11 has become a leading player in the rapidly evolving field of underwater infrastructure protection.

Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Amsterdam, Optics11 has grown from a university spin-off into one of Europe's most innovative and fast growing deep-tech companies.

At the heart of Optics11's innovation lies a simple but powerful concept: “listening with light”. By leveraging highly sensitive fiber optic sensors, the company can detect acoustic signals and vibrations with exceptional accuracy. The company's focus on R&D and innovation has attracted significant international recognition. Optics11 has secured substantial growth investments from leading investors and received major financial backing from the European Investment Bank to accelerate the development and commercialization of its subsea monitoring technologies.

The international team represents more than 30 nationalities, with an average age of 35, and includes many highly educated R&D specialists and an experienced commercial team. Innovation, curiosity and the willingness to challenge established technologies are deeply embedded in the company's culture. Working at Optics11 means being part of an organization where advanced science meets entrepreneurship. It is a place where entrepreneurial thinking is valued, where complex challenges inspire innovation, and where every contribution helps shape the future of critical infrastructure protection.

The job profile

As Optics11 enters its next phase of accelerated growth, the company is actively investing in building a scalable and future-proof Finance organization. With increasingly complex projects, international ambitions and a rapidly growing business, a strong financial foundation is essential to support sustainable growth. The Finance team is therefore on a journey to further professionalize processes, enhance efficiency and strengthen financial- and operational controls. To help shape this next stage, Optics11 is looking for a hands-on and experienced Head of Accounting to take ownership of the accounting and financial control function.

As Head of Accounting, you are the go-to person for complex accounting topics and financial control matters. You provide structure and guidance, ensure the quality of financial data and proactively identify opportunities to improve processes and ways of working. Beyond operational ownership, you challenge financial outcomes, perform thorough analyses and contribute to strengthening financial discipline across the organization.

• End to end responsible for managing all day-to-day accounting, including P2P, O2C, payroll, cash management, the general ledger, journal entries and account reconciliations.
• Take full ownership of the month-end and year-end closing processes.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of monthly financial reports and management accounts.
• Maintain and improve internal control processes to ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor working capital development and support process improvements to optimize cash conversion.
• Identify and implement improvements in finance processes and tools (e.g. full ERP in the future) to enhance efficiency, accuracy and scalability.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with teams in operations, commercial and product development to ensure alignment between financial processes and business needs.

"Our mission is to provide flawless fiber optic sensing systems that empower system integrators with high quality key information to break new ground and transform their industries. We at Optics11 explore new opportunities of fiber optics and are committed to continue bringing more innovative solutions to disrupt the industry. From underwater sensing to energy infrastructure monitoring, our teams work together to solve complex challenges and deliver reliable insights where they matter most."

The ideal candidate

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related field.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience, including several years in audit and experience in an in-house finance role.
• Experience in a fast-changing environment such as a start-up/scale-up is a strong plus.
• Hands-on, structured and proactive approach with strong attention to detail.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken. A working proficiency in Dutch is considered an advantage.

Please note: Eligibility requires EU-citizenship and residency in the Netherlands.