Lead, Operational Excellence & Transformation Manager (12 Month FTC) in Woking

Lead, Operational Excellence & Transformation Manager (12 Month FTC) in Woking

Woking Temporary 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
McLaren Racing

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead process engineering to enhance marketing and commercial operations at McLaren Racing.
  • Company: Join the iconic McLaren Racing team, known for high performance and innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy private healthcare, gym access, and a vibrant work environment at the McLaren Technology Centre.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values continuous improvement and high performance.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of racing through operational excellence and transformative processes.
  • Qualifications: Experience in process design and optimisation in fast-paced environments is essential.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

At Mc Laren Racing, we believe only by chasing performance in everything we do can we give ourselves the best chance of success.

Performance on track and in the factory.

Performance for our people, our business and our partners.

It’s about more than winning.

It’s about hitting the highest standards, and then raising the bar again.

  • Purpose of the role
  • At Mc Laren Racing, performance is everything. As our
  • Lead, Operational Excellence & Transformation (12 Month FTC)

, you’ll help shape how our Marketing & Commercial function operates at its best.

  • What You’ll Do
  • Lead process engineering across the Marketing & Commercial function, defining the standards, methodologies and governance that drive consistency and continuous improvement.
  • Diagnose end-to-end workflows, identifying friction points, inefficiencies and opportunities to simplify how work gets done.
  • Design and implement future‑state processes that support a high‑performance operating model and enable teams to move faster with greater clarity and accountability.
  • Establish performance baselines, define KPIs, and measure the impact of process improvements across productivity, capacity, efficiency and delivery outcomes.
  • Partner closely with Marketing & Commercial leaders, Technology teams and wider transformation programmes to ensure process, systems and data evolve together.
  • Design processes with automation, AI and data‑driven decision‑making embedded from the outset.
  • Define governance models, ownership structures and decision‑making frameworks that support effective cross‑functional collaboration.
  • Influence and challenge senior stakeholders to drive adoption of new ways of working and raise organisational performance.
  • Contribute to broader transformation initiatives across Mc Laren Racing, ensuring alignment and consistency where appropriate.

Essential Qualifications

  • Proven experience leading process design, optimisation and continuous improvement in complex, fast‑paced environments.
  • Experience operating within large‑scale transformation, organisational change or operating model programmes.
  • Strong capability in end‑to‑end process mapping, redesign and implementation.
  • The ability to establish frameworks, standards and methodologies rather than simply applying existing ones.
  • Strong stakeholder management skills, with the credibility to influence senior leaders and drive alignment across diverse teams.
  • Experience integrating process design with technology, automation and/or data‑led initiatives.
  • The ability to demonstrate measurable business impact from process improvements.

Desirable Qualifications

  • Experience within marketing, media, sport, consumer brands or similarly fast‑moving commercial environments.
  • Experience partnering with technology teams to translate business processes into system‑enabled solutions.
  • Exposure to AI, automation and data‑driven process optimisation.
  • Personal Attributes
  • Structured and analytical, but always pragmatic and focused on outcomes.
  • Comfortable operating in ambiguity and able to bring clarity to complex challenges.
  • Naturally collaborative, working across teams to achieve collective success.
  • Confident challenging the status quo and influencing through expertise and credibility.
  • High‑energy, resilient and relentlessly delivery‑focused.
  • Driven by continuous improvement and motivated by raising the standard every day.
  • Thrives in a high‑performance environment where pace, accountability and ownership matter.
  • Embraces challenge, pushes boundaries and never stands still.
  • What Mc Laren offers

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.

Mc Laren Racing is based at the iconic Mc Laren Technology Centre (MTC) near Woking.

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.

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Lead, Operational Excellence & Transformation Manager (12 Month FTC) in Woking employer: McLaren Racing

At McLaren, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and high performance are at the forefront. Our state-of-the-art McLaren Technology Centre near Woking not only provides top-notch facilities but also fosters a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring every team member feels valued. With comprehensive benefits and opportunities for personal and professional growth, joining us as a Vinyl Wrap Technician means becoming part of a legacy that pushes the boundaries of motorsport excellence.

McLaren Racing

Contact Details:

McLaren Racing Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead, Operational Excellence & Transformation Manager (12 Month FTC) in Woking

Tap into Consulting Networks

Get active in local management consulting networks and organisations. Attend meetups, workshops, or webinars specific to consulting where you can connect with professionals who may know of temporary roles opening up at places like McLaren Racing. Don’t underestimate word-of-mouth – it’s massive in our field!

Show Off Your Skills in Real-Time

As a temporary hire, you need to demonstrate your value quickly. Consider creating a mini-case study or analysis relevant to the industry and share it on platforms like LinkedIn or even during networking events. This can be an impressive way to showcase your analytical skills and problem-solving prowess – just what consulting firms are looking for!

Check for Temporary Roles on Niche Job Boards

Look for temporary roles on specialised job boards for consulting gigs rather than just generic platforms. Websites like Consultancy.uk or even the Careers pages of major firms could have short-term projects or roles that are perfect for you to jump in at McLaren Racing.

Leverage University and Alumni Resources

If you’re fresh out of uni or connected with a local institution, take advantage of their career services and alumni networks. Many universities have exclusive connections to consulting firms seeking temporary help. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other aspiring consultants who might share leads about opportunities at McLaren Racing.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead, Operational Excellence & Transformation Manager (12 Month FTC) in Woking

Process Engineering
Continuous Improvement
End-to-End Process Mapping
Stakeholder Management
Data-Driven Decision-Making
Governance Models
Automation Integration

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In management consulting, employers love to see your problem-solving abilities right from the get-go. Be sure to highlight any relevant analytical projects you've worked on, particularly those that show how you tackled complex problems. If you’ve done any case studies or analysis during your studies, throw those in your CV!

Tailor Your Experience for the Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should reflect your adaptability and relevant experience quite clearly. Focus on showcasing experiences that demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running, like previous projects, internships, or freelance gigs in consulting or project management.

Craft a Targeted Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to sparkle! Use it to explain why you're interested in this temporary role at McLaren Racing and how your skills suit the specific project needs. Remember to mention how you can provide immediate value based on your past experiences.

Include Certifications or Relevant Training:If you've got any certifications like PMP, Six Sigma, or even coursework that’s super relevant, make sure to list those in your application. Management consulting can be competitive, and these extra qualifications can help you stand out in the recruitment process.

How to prepare for a job interview at McLaren Racing

Prepare for Case Studies

In management consulting, case study interviews are a big deal. Expect to tackle real-world business problems on the spot. We should practise structuring our thoughts, developing hypotheses, and presenting our solutions clearly, as this is what firms like McLaren Racing will want to see.

Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills

You’ll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and logical reasoning. Brush up on frameworks like SWOT or Porter's Five Forces, as these can come in handy. Think of instances from your experience where you tackled a complex issue—this could set you apart when speaking to McLaren Racing.

Highlight Your Adaptability

Since this is a temporary role, it's crucial we showcase our ability to hit the ground running. Have examples ready that illustrate how we've adapted quickly in past positions or projects. This shows that we can contribute effectively from day one at McLaren Racing.

Be Ready to Discuss Cultural Fit

Temporary roles often come with a focus on team dynamics. Prepare to discuss how we align with the values and culture at McLaren Racing. We want to highlight our teamwork experiences and how we can mesh with their consulting teams, making it clear that we're not just looking to fill a spot but to add value.