McLaren Automotive Ltd
Head of Programme Planning

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What to Expect
Coordination of programme management team of vehicle programmes, technology and component projects to meet top level business financial targets. Business Planning – Definition & creation of consistent data set for all future programmes to facilitate technical function business planning, aligned to the product cycle plan Cross functional programme leadership of development of new technologies including delivery risk assessment and pre-programme technology maturation Cross functional leadership of cross-vehicle component and system development, including definition and implementation of new processes Development of programme delivery (in-source / out-source) strategy prior to kick off, aligned with VLD and other key stakeholders (e.g. Engineering, Design, Finance, Product) Lead the engineering team input into the supplier category and people (skills) long term strategies
What You'll Do
- Lead the development of early target setting for future programmes including PMXU, internal resource, external spend and timing alongside PMO and VLDs
- Drive greater carryover content across programmes to ensure capital expenditure is fully optimised
- Ensure the delivery of the approved product plan and associated project data for use in cross functional budget, resource and spend planning with focus on CAPEX and BoM
- Delivery of product development projects, that align technical change content, product market position and budget according to the McLaren Development Process
- Cross-program component and system sharing through early alignment of function requirements across products
- Working in collaboration with the other PMO functions to establish size and scale of future vehicle programmes, recommending timing, financial parameters and proposed delivery mechanisms (in-source / out-source, mixture)
- Lead the standardization of methods and ways of working between programmes
- Utilise the outputs of the Horizon process to develop and deliver a people and skills strategy for Engineering functions (aligned with People & Culture team)
- Participate in the financial target setting of the future programmes and the side product plan studies
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
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What You'll Bring
- Minimum of a Bachelors degree (Business, Engineering or equivalent), essential
- A lateral thinker with extensive experience in programme management, a strong understanding of the industry and associated macro-economic challenges
- Demonstrable experience in commercial management, programme / project management, stakeholder management, change management, and team building across the automotive sector or similarly complex business
- In-depth understanding of McLaren processes, systems, and procedures would be beneficial
- Experience of high volume and niche vehicle (low volume) manufacturers across operational, commercial and strategic roles
- Experience in future programme planning from concept to programme kick off, desirable
- Experience in strategic business planning, budget development and target setting, desirable
- Leadership / people management experience, desirable
- Formal Project Management qualifications are desirable but not essential (e.g. PMP, Agile, Six Sigma)


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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
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.
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