McLaren Automotive Ltd
Manufacturing PMO - Project Graduate
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What to Expect
Purpose of the role
McLaren Automotive is progressing a significant manufacturing investment programme – a multi-year transformation of our manufacturing capability that will help shape the future of the business and unlock the next phase of the McLaren Automotive business plan. The PMO is the programme office that governs and drives its delivery, and the Project Graduate role offers an exceptional early-career opportunity to learn the discipline of major-programme delivery from the inside.
Reporting to the Head of Manufacturing Strategy & Business Office, with day-to-day direction from the Project Lead, the Project Graduate supports the running of the PMO – helping maintain the integrated plan, keeping delivery-tracking data accurate, preparing reporting and governance materials, and coordinating actions across the programme’s workstreams. The role has no direct reports and is developed over time to take ownership of discrete initiatives.
This is a hands-on, high-visibility role for a motivated graduate who is organised, curious and eager to learn. The Project Graduate will develop strong project-delivery, stakeholder and project and portfolio management tool (Jira) skills, and gain a front-row seat on a career-defining programme. The role is a fixed term appointment aligned to the McLaren Automotive graduate programme but is not rotational – the graduate remains dedicated to the PMO throughout.
The role is based in Woking and is expected to be onsite a minimum of three days per week, increasing where programme demands require. Travel to other McLaren sites, including MCTC in Sheffield, may occasionally be required but is expected to be minimal.
What You'll Do
Principal Accountabilities
- Support the Project Lead and Head of Manufacturing Strategy & Business Office in the preparation and operation of the project governance cadence, helping to identify process improvements and maintain effective programme controls.
- Support the Project Lead in maintaining the integrated programme plan, keeping milestones, actions and dependencies current and visible.
- Maintain the programme’s project and portfolio management tooling (Jira) – keeping data accurate and up to date and helping workstreams follow good practice.
- Prepare programme reporting and governance materials, ensuring consistent and accurate reporting to the Head of Manufacturing Strategy & Business Office and programme forums.
- Track and chase actions, risks, issues and decisions across the workstreams, maintaining accurate records, clear ownership and timely escalation where required.
- Coordinate PMO meetings – scheduling, agendas, minutes and follow-ups.
- Coordinate data preparation, management and analysis in support of delivery tracking and reporting.
- Take ownership of discrete initiatives and ‘special projects’ as capability develops.
- Build strong cross-functional relationships, representing the PMO positively.
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Impact
Types of roles managed by jobholder
- Directly – none (early-career role).
- Indirectly – builds influence across workstream teams and functional partners through relationships rather than authority.
Key Financial Measures
- No budget accountability.
- Supports the accuracy and timeliness of the delivery-tracking data that underpins programme reporting and governance.
Key Stakeholders
- PMO Project Lead (day-to-day direction).
- Head of Manufacturing Strategy & Business Office.
- Project PMO workstream teams.
- Manufacturing Business Office (including the Strategy Graduate).
- Cross-functional partners across manufacturing and support functions.
What You'll Bring
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
A recent graduate (or equivalent early-career experience), ideally with a 2:1 or above in any discipline; a business, engineering or numerate / analytical subject is advantageous.
Exposure to working with external delivery partners, specialist advisors or consultancy teams through academic, placement or professional experience would be advantageous.
Strong analytical and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
A genuine interest in project management, change delivery and manufacturing.
Any exposure to project delivery, PPM tools or a structured team environment (e.g. placement or internship) is advantageous.
Preferred Qualifications
Degree educated (2:1 or above typical).
An interest in – or a foundational certification towards – project management (e.g. APM PFQ) or Agile is advantageous.
Familiarity with Jira / Atlassian tooling is advantageous but not essential; training will be provided.
Business Knowledge
A basic understanding of project and change delivery, with an eagerness to learn PMO methods and governance.
An interest in manufacturing and major programme delivery.
Essential Functional / Technical Skills
- Advanced operating level across the Microsoft M365 suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Willingness and aptitude to learn project and portfolio management tooling (Jira).
- Attention to accuracy and detail in data and reporting.
Personal Attributes / Competencies
- Commit to Win: motivated, delivery-focused and eager to take ownership; a self-starter who organises their own workload under guidance.
- Communicate with Clarity: a confident communicator who presents information clearly and adapts to different audiences.
- Create with Courage: curious and proactive, keen to find better tools and ways of working, and confident to ask questions.
- Collaborate for Impact: builds relationships easily and works collaboratively across functions, influencing without direct authority.
- Keen attention to accuracy and detail, with strong integrity and the discretion to handle sensitive programme information confidentially.
- Resilient and adaptable, comfortable with changing priorities in a dynamic environment.
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Complexity & Problem Solving
The Project Graduate operates within a complex, high-profile programme and must quickly learn to work with structure, accuracy and discretion. Much of the early challenge lies in absorbing the disciplines of programme delivery – planning, tracking, reporting and governance – while building the relationships needed to gather information and chase progress across workstreams, all without formal authority.
With coaching from the Project Lead, the role grows from delivery support towards owning discrete initiatives, developing the judgement to prioritise, escalate appropriately and handle sensitive programme information with care.
Career Path
Talent Pool for Role: Recent graduates and early-career professionals with strong analytical and organisational skills and an interest in project management, change delivery and manufacturing. This is a two-year fixed-term, non-rotational appointment offering exceptional exposure to a significant programme and a strong foundation for a career in project or programme management, PMO or manufacturing delivery.
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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