CMF & MSO Design Project Manager

McLaren Automotive Ltd; Bicester; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

McLaren Automotive is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead CMF development and MSO content across core vehicle programmes and special projects. You will connect design, engineering, purchasing, quality, manufacturing and commercial teams to deliver luxury materials, colour, trim and finishes from concept to production.

You will manage CMF and MSO projects end-to-end, coordinating stakeholders, defining scope and timing, and presenting risks and decisions to senior leadership while

Qualifications

• Experience in automotive design or CMF projects.
• Proven ability to manage complex design programmes and cross-functional teams.
• Strong presentation skills and ability to translate creative intent into delivery plans.

Responsibilities

• Manage CMF and MSO design projects from concept to production release and launch.
• Define scope, timings, risks, resources and approval routes for CMF, trim, paint, finish and bespoke content.
• Coordinate design, engineering, quality, manufacturing, product and commercial stakeholders.
• Present status, risks, decisions and recommendations clearly to senior stakeholders.
• Manage MSO work request process by triaging requests, scheduling and planning, coordinating project startups, creative reviews, sourcing, timing and approvals.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

CMF development

Adobe Creative Suite

KeyShot

VRED

Education

Design/Engineering degree

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

KeyShot

VRED

CAD viewers

PLM tools

Job description

What to Expect

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager to manage the Colour, Materials and Finish (CMF) development and delivery process and MSO content across core vehicle programmes, and MSO special projects.

The role connects design, engineering, purchasing, quality, manufacturing and commercial teams to deliver distinctive performance luxury material, colour, trim and finish solutions from concept to production.

What You'll Do

• Manage CMF and MSO design projects from concept selection to production release and launch.
• Define scope, timings, risks, resources and approval routes for CMF, trim, paint, finish and bespoke content, including physical sampling.
• Coordinate design, engineering, quality, manufacturing, product and commercial stakeholders.
• Support design to deliver intent that aligns with brand direction, feasibility, craftsmanship, cost, quality and production requirements.
• Manage CMF documentation, samples, master references, and digital imagery.
• Present status, risks, decisions and recommendations clearly to senior stakeholders.
• Manage MSO work request process by triaging requests, scheduling and planning, coordinating project startups, creative reviews, sourcing, timing and approvals.

What You'll Bring

Business Knowledge

• Experience in automotive OEM, luxury, low-volume, specialist vehicle, bespoke or premium product environments.
• Strong understanding of design gateways, studio processes, prototype phases, release timing and launch requirements.
• Awareness of CMF development, material selection, trim execution, paint, finishes, sustainability and personalisation.

Essential Functional / Technical Skills

• Degree in Design, Material Design, Product Design, Automotive Design, Engineering, Programme Management or equivalent experience.
• Project or programme management experience in automotive design, CMF, bespoke, luxury products, trim, materials or vehicle development.
• Able to manage complex design projects, stakeholders, suppliers, timing plans, risks and governance reporting.
• Working knowledge of CMF deliverables including colour and trim strategies, development and sampling process, material boards, specification packs and production sign-off.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management and presentation skills, with the ability to translate creative intent into clear delivery plans.
• Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, KeyShot, VRED, CAD viewers, PLM or equivalent studio tools is desirable.

Personal Attributes / Competencies

• Calm, structured and proactive in a fast-paced studio environment.
• Balances creative sensitivity with programme, cost and production realities.
• Strong appreciation of luxury materiality, colour, tactility, craftsmanship and customer personalisation.
• Confident managing ambiguity, risk, change and cross-functional dependencies.
• Discreet, flexible and customer-focused when supporting bespoke requests.

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.