McLaren Racing's approach to sustainability is driven by the continuous pursuit of better. It is based on the parallel priorities of minimising the negative impact of their operations, alongside the promotion of the circular economy through consumption and waste reduction, while maximising their positive impact in the areas of STEM education, diversity and inclusion, gender equality and giving.
For decades, Formula 1 has been an innovation lab for technology that has transformed not just motorsport, but the automotive industry and beyond. McLaren has been at the forefront of many of these innovations and as part of their strategic commitment to creating a sustainable team, they believe they can play a key role in helping to tackle global sustainability challenges.
The company is looking for a Manager, Sustainability & ESG to join them and help drive their agenda forward with momentum and to honour their mission to win by becoming a leader in their field.
What will that entail?
McLaren needs a clear strategic thinker with strong organisational skills who has the expertise and drive to bring their people on a journey and to embed sustainability into the heart of their culture.
Allied with your demonstrated ability to bring an organisation's sustainability strategy to life will be your understanding of trends and best practice, your thought leadership and your working knowledge of industry-recognised compliance, bodies, frameworks, regulators and certifications.
Reporting into the Director, Sustainability & ESG and advising on strategy and delivery, you'll use your subject matter expertise to lead the team to a place where sustainability is engrained in the company's processes, operations and culture. You'll also work closely with the People and Talent team to build a robust diversity, equality and inclusion strategy that doesn't just foster a more inclusive workplace at McLaren Racing, but promotes this action across the wider industry.
Your principal accountabilities will include:
Setting McLaren's Sustainability Strategy:
You'll develop McLaren's framework sustainability strategy, commitments and metrics to evaluate impact
You'll identify, map and integrate short and long-term ambitions into McLaren Racing's sustainability programme
You'll engage and identify industry-recognised compliance, including bodies, frameworks, regulators and certifications to define and deliver McLaren's ESG reporting framework
Delivering impact across the company and beyond:
You'll set best practices for embedding sustainability into McLaren's processes, operations and culture
You'll work closely with corporate communications to demonstrate, educate and influence internal and external stakeholders
You'll work closely with sponsor-partners and the marketing team to increase visibility and understanding of the team's sustainability journey and commitments
You'll support the People and Culture team in delivering the company's diversity, equity and inclusion strategy to attract and retain diverse talent
Leading with purpose:
You'll support McLaren's purpose-led agenda through the company's sustainability programme
You'll engage a world-class network of external and internal stakeholders across multiple channels and platforms
You'll build campaigns and activations to educate, excite and inspire our fans on our journey
Driving a meaningful reporting process:
You'll introduce and develop the dimension of purpose alongside financial metrics (triple line reporting) and industry-recognised frameworks
You'll establish and deliver regular reporting procedures using best-in-class data and analytics to track and evolve the strategy and communicate progress effectively
You'll define and finesse a reporting and governance structure internally to encourage accountability across the entire team
You'll create and drive reporting processes to educate and communicate with key stakeholders, including: board, executive team, partners and fans
Managing high performing teams:
You'll be able to work cross-departmentally and promote cross-group collaboration
You'll lead by example by behaving with confidence and humility
You'll build an internal reputation and knowledge of the wider business
You'll embody and champion McLaren Racing's core values
Success in this role will require you to be:
Results-driven: you're a proven winner and you're known for getting things done. You have an outstanding work ethic and expect the best from yourself and your teammates
Credible: you're seen as a trusted thinking partner and you have gravitas. You'll act as a role model for the McLaren Racing values
Strategic: you can provide clear strategy, vision and direction for the business
Inspirational: you challenge others to strive for more, both in innovation and in meeting stakeholder needs
A strong leader: you curate and lead an innovative culture by empowering and developing teams to find new and improved ways of working at every opportunity
Accountable: you take ownership and understand the impact of leadership behaviour on the business. You therefore demonstrate behaviours that support a high-performance culture within and across teams
Change-oriented: you're a champion for change by leading change. You clearly communicate your vision and purpose, supporting the business to adapt accordingly
Collaborative: you engage in partnerships, networks and alliances to support long term success, invite diversity of thought and experience and to support the best interests of the business at all times
An engaging presenter: you are an effective and persuasive presenter and you'll represent McLaren racing as a key face for the business, clients and the wider marketplace
What knowledge, skills and experience will you need?
Significant experience in leading impactful environmental and sustainability strategies for major brands and organisations is essential, including the areas of carbon net zero, water, waste, circular economy, and innovation
Ability to credibly communicate and champion McLaren's sustainability strategy to external and internal audiences, delivering impactful projects and communicating brand purpose
Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams and matrix management organisations on major projects and programmes
Ability to communicate with clients and other key stakeholders on global, national and regional issues, including the Climate and Net Zero Emissions
Confident leading and working as part of a team, with ability to adapt as required
What knowledge, skills and experience are not essential, but preferred?
Experience of working in Sports, Automotive or Technology industries
Business development experience, in the context of identifying and winning partnership proposals
This is a phenomenal opportunity if you have significant experience in building and leading a major sustainability strategy for a global brand or organisation, with a proven track record in driving an ambitious ESG programme, as well as delivering on publicly-stated ambitions.
