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- Tasks: Support high-performance teams as a trusted HR advisor, driving people-led solutions.
- Company: Join McLaren Racing, a pioneering and exhilarating team in the world of motorsport.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, private healthcare, gym access, and generous pension contributions.
- Why this job: Be part of a culture that champions innovation, diversity, and high performance in racing.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 5 or 7 qualification and proven HR experience in high-performance environments.
- Other info: Work at the iconic McLaren Technology Centre with state-of-the-art facilities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Job description
Join our high-performance journey in either Aero or Performance, Software & Race
Are you passionate about people, performance, and purpose? We’re looking for two outstanding HR professionals to join our People Team as Senior Specialist, People Partners—each supporting a different high-impact function within our world-class racing organisation:
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Aero Team – Partner with our aerodynamicists and engineers to drive performance through people in one of the most technically advanced areas of the business.
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Performance, Software & Race Teams – Support the teams that bring innovation and performance to life on and off the track, from software development to race-day execution.
In both roles, you’ll be more than an HR partner—you’ll be a trusted advisor, coach, and culture champion. You’ll work closely with leaders and teams to deliver people-led solutions that unlock potential, drive performance, and shape the future of racing.
What You’ll Do (in both roles):
As a Senior Specialist, People Partner, you’ll be embedded within your assigned function—either Aero, or Performance, Software & Race—acting as a trusted advisor and strategic partner. You’ll:
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Build strong, embedded relationships with your teams to understand their world, challenges, and performance motivators.
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Champion a people-first mindset by tailoring support, coaching, and initiatives to fit the unique needs of your function.
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Lead complex employee relations cases with confidence, ensuring resolution and minimising risk.
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Partner with Talent Acquisition to support hiring, internal mobility, and early careers campaigns, including STEM and graduate pipelines.
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Drive organisational design and model changes with a strong people lens to enhance team effectiveness.
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Co-own talent and succession planning with leaders, turning strategy into action.
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Support the development and delivery of L&D initiatives in collaboration with the People Experience team.
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Lead reward initiatives including benchmarking and salary reviews, ensuring fairness and budget alignment.
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Shape and deliver DE&I activities tailored to your team’s context.
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Own and interpret HRIS data to guide decisions, spot trends, and ensure compliance.
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Contribute to people operations and projects, ensuring seamless user experience from insight to implementation.
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Deliver immersive onboarding and culture induction experiences.
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Foster inclusion, well-being, and psychological safety across your function.
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Partner on people strategy—spotting trends, shaping initiatives, and aligning with McLaren’s High Performance Principles and team goals.
Job requirements
What You’ll Bring:
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Proven HR advisory and partnering experience in high-performance or engineering environments.
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Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.
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A proactive, agile approach with a passion for innovation and culture.
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Championing a People Partnering mindset—building strong internal relationships through curiosity, inquisitive questioning, and genuine engagement.
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CIPD Level 5 or 7 qualification (or equivalent experience).
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A track record of getting things done—decisively and collaboratively.
What can McLaren offer?
We constantly strive to be better tomorrow than we are today. Our ambition is to be the most pioneering and exhilarating racing team in the world, and our collective task is to set the standards for high performance in sport. We show up every day with energy and enthusiasm, ready to play our part.
We encourage and support diversity, equity and inclusion. We will actively promote a culture that values difference and eliminates discrimination in our workplace.
McLaren Racing is based at the iconic McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) near Woking. Here at McLaren, we offer hybrid working with 3 days a week based in the MTC.
Our state of the art, sustainable campus offers many facilities including a gym, restaurant and indoor and outdoor break-out areas, as well as direct access to park and common land. The MTC is connected to Woking mainline station via regular shuttle buses, from which London Waterloo is a 30 minute train ride.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including private healthcare, car schemes, life insurance and generous pension contributions.
Senior Specialist, People Partner employer: McLaren Racing
Contact Detail:
McLaren Racing Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Specialist, People Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with McLaren's culture and values. Understanding their commitment to high performance, innovation, and diversity will help you align your approach and demonstrate how you can contribute to their mission during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees in similar roles. Engaging with them can provide valuable insights into the specific challenges and expectations of the Senior Specialist, People Partner position, which can help you tailor your discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in high-performance environments. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully partnered with teams to drive performance and implement people-led solutions, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your understanding of HR metrics and data analysis. Since the role involves interpreting HRIS data to guide decisions, being able to discuss how you've used data to spot trends and inform strategies will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Specialist, People Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, take time to thoroughly understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Senior Specialist, People Partner position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the specific needs of either the Aero Team or the Performance, Software & Race Teams.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your proven HR advisory and partnering experience, particularly in high-performance or engineering environments. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to build relationships and drive performance through people.
Showcase Communication Skills: Given the importance of communication and stakeholder management in this role, ensure your application reflects your exceptional communication skills. Consider including examples of how you've successfully managed relationships and facilitated collaboration in previous roles.
Demonstrate a People-First Mindset: In your application, convey your passion for fostering a people-first culture. Discuss any initiatives you've led that prioritised employee well-being, inclusion, and psychological safety, as these are key aspects of the role at McLaren.
How to prepare for a job interview at McLaren Racing
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a clear understanding of the Senior Specialist, People Partner role. Familiarise yourself with the specific functions you'll be supporting, whether it's the Aero Team or Performance, Software & Race Teams. This will help you tailor your responses to demonstrate how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your HR Expertise
Prepare to discuss your previous HR advisory and partnering experiences, especially in high-performance or engineering environments. Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully navigated complex employee relations cases and contributed to talent and succession planning.
✨Demonstrate Communication Skills
Exceptional communication is key for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Think about how you can showcase your stakeholder management skills through examples of past collaborations and how you’ve built strong internal relationships.
✨Emphasise a People-First Mindset
Highlight your passion for fostering a people-first culture. Prepare to discuss initiatives you've led that champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as how you've tailored support to meet the unique needs of teams. This will resonate well with their focus on culture and performance.
