At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial performance and partner with key stakeholders across McLaren Automotive.
- Company: Join the iconic McLaren Automotive team in a dynamic finance role.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, enhanced pension, and flexible lifestyle benefits.
- Other info: Opportunities for career development and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-profile finance role at a leading automotive brand.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with 3+ years experience and strong Excel skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
We are seeking a high-calibre Finance Manager to join McLaren Automotive Limited (MAL) as a Finance Business Partner within the Commercial & Corporate Functions team, reporting directly to the Head of Finance. This is a broad and high-impact role, combining technical accounting expertise with strong business partnering. The successful candidate will function as the primary finance lead across key functions including Facilities, Legal, Finance and IT, as well as Capital Investment programmes. In addition, the role will provide flexible support across the wider Commercial & Corporate Finance team, requiring a strong understanding of the broader business landscape and the ability to step in and add value where needed.
The position offers significant exposure to senior stakeholders across the organisation and requires a proactive, agile individual who can operate with confidence, influence decision-making, and manage multiple priorities effectively. A core accountability of the role is end-to-end ownership of financial performance across the supported functions, including actuals, forecasts, and budgets. The Finance Manager will play a key role in delivering financial OKRs, partnering closely with stakeholders to provide robust insights, high-quality analysis, and strong financial control. This will ensure that performance is well understood, risks and opportunities are proactively managed, and spending remains aligned to corporate objectives.
The role will also support and challenge investment decisions, ensuring capital allocation is financially robust and aligned to strategic priorities. More broadly, the position contributes to optimising return on investment, supporting product and investment lifecycle decisions, and enabling data-driven decision-making across commercial and corporate initiatives.
Role Responsibilities
- Act as a trusted finance business partner to key stakeholders across MAL
- Team Leadership: Line management responsibility to 2+ Finance Analysts
- Serve as the primary point of contact for all financial queries relating to the areas within your remit
- Develop a strong understanding of business unit OKRs and collaborate with teams to support and deliver against these objectives
- Be responsible for the delivery of all financial reporting to the business units, including monthly performance reports and analysis
- Manage the month end process and journal postings
- Manage the financial performance, hold budget owners in your business units to account and analyse actual results against the approved business plan
- Regular meetings with business partners and key stakeholders
- Proactively identify risks to the business units and support opportunities
- Be a champion of robust business processes and financial controls
- Manage the development of forward-looking business plans and budgets, ensuring alignment to company imperatives
- Support the development of tools to help improve the forecasting and budgeting process
What You'll Bring
- Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)
- 3+ years post qualified experience
- A desire to build a career with MAL and work in a dynamic environment
- Flexibility to work across multiple teams and get involved where needed
- Proactive, pragmatic, and problem-solving skills are key to this role
Role Experience
- Finance business partner experience is desirable but not required
- Prior experience in the Automotive, Manufacturing or Engineering sector is beneficial
Personal attributes
- A strong passion for McLaren and knowledge of our products
- A keen interest to work in a dynamic environment
- Confidence to communicate with stakeholders of all levels, up to the senior executive team
- A proactive self-starter who can independently manage their workload daily
- Prepared to be flexible and on hand to support team members when required
- The ability to translate complex financial data to non-finance colleagues
- Strong Microsoft Excel skills are essential
What We'll Do for You
- We offer a wide-ranging benefits package, which includes:
- 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
Finance Manager – Commercial & Corporate Functions in Woking employer: McLaren
McLaren Automotive Limited is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Woking where innovation meets excellence. With a strong focus on employee growth, the company provides structured career development frameworks, generous benefits including enhanced pension schemes and flexible working options, and a culture that champions collaboration and proactive problem-solving. Joining McLaren means being part of a passionate team dedicated to pushing boundaries in the automotive industry while enjoying a supportive atmosphere that values work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Manager – Commercial & Corporate Functions in Woking
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like McLaren. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Manager – Commercial & Corporate Functions in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to McLaren.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on McLaren's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at McLaren
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with McLaren.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at McLaren will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former McLaren employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
