The Assistant to the Commercial Directors is the linchpin that keeps the Commercial team running smoothly. This role provides high‑level administrative and organizational support to the Directors, enabling them to focus on strategic priorities by expertly handling scheduling, communications, and coordination. In a fast‑paced, high‑performance environment, the Assistant ensures that nothing falls through the cracks – from meeting preparations to follow‑ups – and often serves as an initial representative of the Commercial team to both internal colleagues and external partners. By being a reliable right hand to the Directors, this role indirectly contributes to McLaren’s commercial success through enhanced efficiency, communication, and professionalism in the department's operations.
What You’ll Do
- Calendar & Schedule Management: Manage the Directors schedule with precision, prioritising and orchestrating a packed calendar of meetings, travel, and events. Proactively resolve conflicts, ensure preparatory time for critical meetings, and include buffer times as needed. Coordinate across global time zones, given the international scope of Commercial, so that key participants can be available. Keep the Directors informed of upcoming commitments and deadlines, providing context where necessary.
- Meeting Coordination & Support: Arrange and facilitate key meetings for the Commercial team – from one‑on‑one catch‑ups to large leadership team meetings. This includes scheduling attendees, booking meeting rooms or conference lines/Teams calls, preparing or requesting agendas, and compiling necessary briefing materials beforehand. For important recurring meetings (e.g., monthly sales reviews, quarterly business updates), ensure there is a standard process to gather slides/reports from contributors, and assist in putting together the final deck or briefing book. May also attend meetings to take minutes or note action items, and subsequently distribute summaries and track follow‑ups.
- Travel & Event Logistics: Plan and organise complex travel itineraries for the Directors (and occasionally other team members) for meetings, dealer visits, or global events. This includes flights, accommodations, ground transport, and building in any special requirements (e.g., time for site visits or personal preferences). Prepare comprehensive trip agendas with all relevant details (confirmation numbers, contact persons, maps). If the Directors are attending events (like motor shows or client events), coordinate registration, passes, and any required materials or briefing notes about attendees/UHNW clients expected.
- Office & Team Coordination: Serve as the operational hub for the Commercial leadership team. Set up regular staff meetings or huddles, and manage the cadence of reports or updates the Directors expect from direct reports. Help new team members in the leadership circle get oriented (ordering equipment, system access, introductions). Keep track of the team’s important dates and deadlines (budget submissions, board report due dates, performance review cycles, etc.) and gently remind or assist the Directors in ensuring the team meets them. May also handle some budget or expense tracking for the department, processing invoices or expense reports for the Directors accurately and on time.
- Special Projects & Support: Take on ad‑hoc projects that require strong organisational skills. For example, planning an offsite strategy workshop – handling venue, catering, materials, attendee communications, and agenda in conjunction with the Directors. Or gathering data across departments for a one‑time analysis the Directors are doing – acting as a point person to collect and compile information. Sometimes, conduct preliminary research (e.g., background on a potential partner ahead of a meeting) or prepare a brief summary to equip the Directors.
- Liaison & Representation: Build and maintain positive working relationships with other EAs and executives across McLaren, as well as external partners' offices. Often, the EA‑to‑EA line is key to scheduling top‑level meetings or resolving issues swiftly. Represent the Directors with professionalism and discretion when dealing with high‑profile contacts, whether it’s coordinating a call with a major dealer investor’s office or sending information to a board member upon request. In the Directors’ absence, ensure urgent issues are routed to the right interim decision‑maker and that communications continue smoothly.
Experience & Poise
Extensive experience (5+ years) as an assistant or similar support role at the C‑suite or senior leadership level, ideally in a fast‑paced, international environment. Polished and poised – able to interact confidently with senior executives, VIP clients, and international colleagues. Understands the nuances of working with UHNW individuals or senior stakeholders (e.g., appropriate formality, anticipation of needs).
Exceptional Organisation
Master of organisation and time management. Capable of juggling multiple priorities efficiently and adapting as plans change. Remains calm and structured under pressure, such as when a meeting overruns and several subsequent items must be rearranged on the fly. Develops systems (whether digital tools or personal methods) to keep track of tasks, requests, and follow‑ups diligently.
Attention to Detail
Almost zero error tolerance when it comes to important communications, scheduling details, or travel logistics. Double‑checks everything – from the spelling of a client’s name on a letter to the time zone of a conference call. This vigilance prevents misunderstandings and smooths operations.
Communication Skills
Excellent written and verbal communication. Can draft professional emails and documents that capture the Directors’ voice and intent. Strong listener to capture the essence of instructions or meeting discussions. Able to convey information clearly and succinctly, whether explaining a scheduling change to a group or giving a recap to the Directors. Maintains discretion and confidentiality at all times.
Tech Savvy
Proficient with productivity tools such as Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, Excel) and willing to adopt new tools (project management apps, collaboration platforms, perhaps AI scheduling assistants) that can enhance efficiency. Able to troubleshoot basic tech issues during virtual meetings (e.g., connectivity or file sharing problems) to assist the Directors and the team.
Proactive & Anticipatory
Anticipates needs before they are voiced. For example, knowing that last year’s Directors forum happened in May, will prompt early discussions about this year's event. Prepares materials the Directors might require ahead of time (if there is a meeting with a VIP client, ensures a brief and latest sales figures for that client’s region are at hand). Takes initiative to solve minor issues independently and only escalates when necessary.
Professionalism & Diplomacy
Represents the Directors with utmost professionalism. Deals with people at all levels with courtesy and efficiency. Handles sensitive information (e.g., reorganisation plans or personnel changes) with secrecy and care. Diplomatic when reminding someone of a missed deadline or in chasing responses from busy executives, maintaining good relations while being effectively persistent.
Adaptability
Able to handle the fluid nature of the business – if priorities shift suddenly (e.g., a crisis meeting is called), can rearrange plans and keep everything on track. Embraces variety in the role, from mundane tasks one moment to high‑level meeting coordination the next, giving each equal attention. Willing to support outside of normal hours occasionally because the nature of the auto business (like end‑of‑month sales or overseas calls) may require flexibility.
No restraints. No limitations. We don’t simply push boundaries. We completely rethink them. McLaren Automotive exists to create breath‑taking performance road cars. It takes a community to do what we do. A diverse group of people with many areas of expertise, united by their passion to deliver visionary products and set new benchmarks. McLaren Automotive commits to equal opportunity for all. Diversity, Equality and Inclusion is at the heart of our impact, it drives our innovation and enables us to truly create something special. Join us on our journey.
Benefits
- Structured career development framework
- 25 days holiday, plus bank holiday. Annual buy & sell up to five days
- Enhanced company pension scheme
- Discretionary annual bonus award
- Private medical insurance and health cash plan
- Life assurance benefit
- Ability to apply for a sabbatical of up to one year after only two years' service
- Benefits you can adapt to your lifestyle, such as discounted shopping
- Generous parental leave policies
- A range of wellbeing initiatives, such as employee assistance programme and free financial & mortgage advice
