At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative exterior design projects and shape the future of McLaren vehicles.
- Company: Join McLaren, a leader in luxury automotive design and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, creative environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with top talent in a fast-paced, high-expectation environment.
- Why this job: Make a mark in the automotive world with your design vision and creativity.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in automotive design and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
The Head of Advanced Exterior Design leads the creation and development of advanced exterior design projects across McLaren. The role is responsible for driving innovative design solutions within defined packaging constraints, shaping future vehicle architecture, and ensuring the output remains contemporary, technically credible, and aligned with McLaren’s brand direction and design ambition.
What You'll Do
- Lead advanced exterior design projects from concept through to design development.
- Create innovative and visually compelling exterior design solutions around fixed or evolving vehicle packages.
- Influence and support the development of future vehicle architectures through strong design vision and design-led thinking.
- Ensure all design outputs are progressive, on-trend, and consistent with McLaren’s design language and brand values.
- Collaborate closely with engineering, aerodynamics, product strategy, and studio leadership to balance creativity with technical feasibility.
- Present design proposals clearly and confidently to senior stakeholders and decision-makers.
- Guide and mentor designers within the advanced exterior design team, fostering a high-performance and collaborative environment.
- Contribute to the broader McLaren Design strategy through thought leadership, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration.
- Support the identification of emerging trends, technologies, and design opportunities relevant to future McLaren products.
- Maintain a strong awareness of competitor activity, market direction, and customer expectations to ensure design relevance and differentiation.
What You'll Bring
- Exceptional exterior design vision with a proven ability to deliver innovative automotive concepts.
- Strong understanding of vehicle packaging, proportion, surfacing, and design feasibility.
- Ability to influence architecture and technical development through design insight.
- High level of creativity, strategic thinking, and aesthetic judgment.
- Strong presentation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to lead projects and teams in a fast-paced, high-expectation environment.
- Excellent collaboration skills across design, engineering, and program functions.
- Deep awareness of automotive design trends, premium/luxury market expectations, and future mobility direction.
Experience and Background
- Extensive experience in automotive exterior design, ideally within premium, luxury, or performance brands.
- Demonstrated success leading advanced or concept-led exterior design projects.
- Experience working closely with cross-functional technical teams on complex vehicle programs.
- Proven ability to translate strategic intent into highly resolved design proposals.
- Leadership experience within a design studio or advanced design environment.
Personal Attributes
- Highly creative and visually sophisticated.
- Proactive, confident, and solution-oriented.
- Able to balance originality with practicality.
- Strong sense of design leadership and accountability.
- Passionate about innovation, brand building, and design excellence.
Head of Advanced Exterior Design employer: McLaren Automotive Ltd
McLaren is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and excellence, making it an ideal place for creative minds in the automotive design industry. With a commitment to employee growth, McLaren offers unique opportunities for collaboration across disciplines, ensuring that every team member can contribute to groundbreaking projects while developing their skills in a high-performance environment. Located in a vibrant area, employees benefit from a dynamic work atmosphere that encourages forward-thinking and design leadership.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Advanced Exterior Design
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend design events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We can’t stress enough how important it is to make connections that could lead to opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s up-to-date and showcases your best work. When you get the chance to present your designs, do it with confidence and passion. We want to see your unique vision shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching McLaren’s design philosophy and recent projects. We love candidates who are genuinely interested in our brand and can discuss how their skills align with our goals. Be ready to share your thoughts on current trends too!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t hesitate to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for innovative thinkers who can contribute to our design strategy.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Advanced Exterior Design
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Creative Side:When you're putting together your application, make sure to showcase your exceptional exterior design vision. We want to see how you can deliver innovative automotive concepts that align with McLaren’s brand direction and design ambition.
Tailor Your Experience:Highlight your extensive experience in automotive exterior design, especially if you've worked with premium or luxury brands. We’re looking for someone who can influence architecture and technical development through design insight, so make that clear!
Communicate Clearly:Your presentation and communication skills are key! When you write your application, ensure you convey your ideas clearly and confidently. We want to know how you can present design proposals to senior stakeholders and decision-makers.
Collaborate and Lead:Don’t forget to mention your leadership experience and collaboration skills. We value a high-performance and collaborative environment, so share examples of how you've guided and mentored teams in the past. Apply through our website to join us on this exciting journey!
How to prepare for a job interview at McLaren Automotive Ltd
✨Showcase Your Design Vision
Make sure to prepare a portfolio that highlights your best exterior design projects. Focus on showcasing innovative concepts and how they align with brand values, especially in the context of luxury and performance. Be ready to discuss your thought process and the impact of your designs.
✨Understand the Brand and Market Trends
Research McLaren’s design language and recent projects. Familiarise yourself with current automotive trends, especially in the premium and luxury sectors. This will help you demonstrate your awareness of market direction and how your vision can contribute to McLaren's future.
✨Prepare for Collaborative Discussions
Since collaboration is key in this role, think about examples where you've successfully worked with engineering or cross-functional teams. Be prepared to discuss how you balance creativity with technical feasibility and how you’ve influenced design decisions in past projects.
✨Practice Your Presentation Skills
You’ll need to present your ideas clearly to senior stakeholders, so practice articulating your design proposals confidently. Use visual aids from your portfolio to support your points and engage your audience. Remember, clarity and confidence are crucial!
