At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and improve People processes for a high-performance environment.
- Company: Join McLaren Racing, a leader in high-performance sport.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, private healthcare, and a vibrant campus with great facilities.
- Other info: Opportunity to work in a dynamic, collaborative culture focused on continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Be part of a pioneering team that sets standards in racing history.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR operations and process improvement methodologies.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
At McLaren, our mission is to set the standard for high performance in sport. And everyone, in every part of the team, has a role to play. So if you want to test your ideas with the world watching and measure your progress in milliseconds, you belong here. High performance starts with you.
Purpose of the Role
At McLaren Racing, performance is engineered into every detail. We’re looking for a People Process Lead to design, standardise, and improve our major People processes across the employee lifecycle; ensuring they are Workday‑optimised, automation‑ready, and capable of scaling with AI. This role will help shape leaner, more agile People journeys and deliver a step‑change improvement in employee, manager, and People experience through self‑service, faster resolution, and fewer manual interventions. This is a 12-month Fixed Term Contract role, ideal for someone who thrives in a high pace environment and can quickly diagnose what’s slowing things down, redesign processes for performance, and embed sustainable ways of working.
Principal Accountabilities
- Process Ownership: streamline approvals while maintaining appropriate governance.
- Translate process design into clear requirements and support adoption through change impact and stakeholder engagement.
- Governance, Compliance: embed right first time ways of working.
- Create simple performance dashboards / KPIs for process health and service outcomes.
- People Technology Enablement: Build AI readiness into People processes (standardised taxonomy, knowledge quality, safe augmentations like routing/assistants), supporting responsible adoption and governance.
- Partner with our Workday Product Owner to translate process designs into implementable requirements (workflows, forms, integrations, case management, knowledge).
- Partner with IT and Finance to ensure systems and workflows reflect the intended processes.
- Identify opportunities for automation (workflows/self‑service), reducing manual processing and improving employee/manager experience.
- Stakeholder Partnership: Work closely with People Partners, CoEs and functional leaders to convert business needs into workable, consistent processes.
- Build credibility quickly and influence stakeholders to adopt standardised ways of working.
- Drive change adoption through stakeholder engagement, training, documentation and communications.
Job Requirements
- Strong HR operations/process expertise with proven process improvement delivery e.g., experience in Lean / Lean Six Sigma/Agile methodologies.
- Demonstrated ability to design automation‑ready workflows and work effectively with Workday HCM and service delivery tools (case management, portals, knowledge bases).
- Data‑driven problem solver with strong stakeholder management and change capability.
- AI literacy in HR service contexts.
Personal Attributes
- Highly analytical and naturally curious – not afraid to challenge the status quo.
- Collaboration is a core tenant.
- Change‑orientated and adaptable.
- Structured and detail‑oriented.
- Continuous improvement mindset.
- Delivery focused.
What success looks like (during the FTC)
- Reduced cycle times and eliminated avoidable process variation in priority areas.
- Improved accuracy and reduced rework (e.g., contracts, changes, reward admin).
- Implemented/embedded clear SOPs, governance and process ownership.
- Increased self‑service/automation adoption where appropriate.
- Left behind a sustainable framework for ongoing improvement (documentation + KPIs + handover).
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.
Process Engineering Lead, People - 12 Month FTC in Surrey employer: Motorsport Network
At McLaren Racing, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions high performance and innovation. Our vibrant work culture fosters collaboration and continuous improvement, while our state-of-the-art McLaren Technology Centre provides a dynamic environment for personal and professional growth. With a comprehensive benefits package and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, we empower our employees to thrive in their roles and contribute to our legacy in racing history.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Process Engineering Lead, People - 12 Month FTC in Surrey
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research McLaren's values, mission, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their high-performance team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing a role at McLaren. Personal connections can make a huge difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to process improvement and HR operations. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your achievements.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the McLaren team and ready to contribute to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Process Engineering Lead, People - 12 Month FTC in Surrey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Performance:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for high performance shine through. We want to see how your skills and experiences align with our mission at McLaren. Make it clear why you’re excited about the role and how you can contribute to our racing history.
Be Specific About Your Experience:Don’t just list your previous roles; dive into the details! We’re looking for evidence of your process improvement expertise and how you've applied methodologies like Lean or Agile. Use examples that demonstrate your ability to streamline processes and enhance employee experiences.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure your application speaks directly to the job description. Highlight your experience with Workday and automation-ready workflows, and show us how you can help shape leaner People journeys. Customising your application will help us see you as a perfect fit for the team.
Keep It Clear and Concise:While we love detail, clarity is key! Ensure your application is well-structured and easy to read. Use bullet points where necessary and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant. A clean, concise application will make it easier for us to see your potential.
How to prepare for a job interview at Motorsport Network
✨Know Your Processes Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the People processes you’ll be working on. Understand how they currently function and think about how you can streamline them. Be ready to discuss specific examples of process improvements you've implemented in the past.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
McLaren values data-driven problem solvers. Prepare to share instances where your analytical mindset led to significant improvements. Bring along any performance dashboards or KPIs you've created to demonstrate your ability to measure success.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
This role requires strong partnerships with various teams. Think of examples where you successfully influenced stakeholders or collaborated across departments. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve driven change through effective engagement.
✨Be Ready for Change Management Questions
Expect questions about your experience with change management and how you handle resistance. Prepare to discuss your approach to training and documentation, ensuring that everyone is on board with new processes and technologies.