Senior Launch Manager in Woking

The Senior Launch Manager at McLaren Automotive plays a critical leadership role in delivering new vehicle models into the Production environment. Reporting to the Head of Launch, this role is responsible for driving the successful preparation & execution of launch activities across a varied programme landscape, ensuring delivery to cost, quality and timing targets and in line with McLaren’s governance processes.

Alongside a proven understanding and experience of complex vehicle launches; this position requires strong cross-functional leadership and the ability to steer teams through complex and high-pressure challenges. The Senior Launch Manager will ensure all phases of the launch process are robustly planned and executed, including ensuring the relevant pre-requisites, such as Virtual Builds, Dimensional Management, PFMEA & Hours per Car validation, have been completed to enable a stable transition from Product Development to Series Production.

In addition to vehicle programme launch delivery, this role will work closely alongside the Heads of department for both Launch and Manufacturing Engineering to actively lead and contribute to various transformation and continuous improvement workstreams across the Manufacturing environment and wider business, with the goal of enhancing the overall business launch capability, performance and efficiency.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Programme Leadership: Leading end to end launch execution for assigned vehicle programmes or content introductions.
• Cross Functional Alignment: Act as a key interface & leader between manufacturing and the wider business to ensure smooth programme delivery.
• Quality & Readiness: Ensure manufacturing readiness targets are achieved, with issues identified early and addressed robustly.
• People Leadership: Lead, coach, and develop launch team members, building strong engagement and technical capability.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive lessons learned, standardisation, and improvement actions to strengthen future launches.
• Health & Safety (H&S): Promote and maintain high H&S standards across launch activities, protecting employees, visitors, and assets.

What You'll Do:

• Lead the planning and execution of new vehicle launch programmes, ensuring key milestones and deliverables are met and in turn ensuring that Gateway readiness is achieved inline with the existing McLaren Development Process.
• Coordinate and steer the cross functional programme team (including Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality and Supply Chain) to ensure full visibility of launch readiness, early issue resolution and management of gating item resolution.
• Drive a process and data driven mentality to identify and mitigate technical, quality and timing risks across multiple model programmes.
• Steer the McLaren Development Process governance to ensure key programme timing & manufacturing requirements are met, including DFM, Dimensional Management, APQP & Quality standards.
• Operate as a Senior Leader within the Manufacturing Launch organisation, supporting decision making within the wider Manufacturing environment and into the wider business.
• Ensure quality standards are met at every phase of launch, applying structured tools such as SIPOC, PFMEA, and recognised problem-solving methodologies.
• Act as a problem-solving leader, facilitating root cause analysis and guiding teams toward robust, data driven solutions.
• Manage and develop direct reports and wider matrix teams, fostering growth, accountability, and a high-performance team culture.
• Support the development and deployment of launch best practice, contributing to the evolution of policies, processes, and standards under the direction of the Head of Launch.
• Provide input into Launch budgets, forecasts, and capital expenditure proposals, supporting financial governance and ensuring effective cost control across assigned programmes.
• Maintain a strong focus on Health & Safety, ensuring compliance with all regulations and promotion of a safe working environment.

What You'll Bring:

• Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality Management, or equivalent industry experience.
• 8+ years’ experience within a manufacturing and/or production launch environment.
• Proven background in low volume, high complexity, premium automotive manufacturing.
• Experience leading complex vehicle or product launches across multiple build phases.
• Demonstrable experience managing cross functional and matrix teams in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong technical judgement with the ability to make timely, evidence-based decisions aligned to business priorities.
• Solid understanding of programme governance, manufacturing readiness, and industrialisation processes.
• Advanced problem-solving capability with expertise in DMAIC, 8D, TQM or similar.
• Comfortable operating in fast paced and high-pressure environments.

Personal Attributes:

• Highly motivated, resilient, and delivery focused.
• Structured, process driven, and data led in decision making.
• Strong communicator, able to influence across all organisational levels.
• Collaborative team player who builds trust and credibility quickly.
• Logical thinker with the ability to balance strategic intent and day to day operational demands.
• Passionate about people development, coaching, and building high performing teams.

What We'll Do for You:

• 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

Who Are We?

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.