The Merchandise, Licensing & Partnerships (MLP) Manager is responsible for defining and executing McLaren Automotive's global Merchandise, Licensing & Partnerships strategy to strengthen brand equity, enhance client engagement, expand brand desirability, and generate sustainable revenue growth.
The role leads the development of merchandise programmes, licensing opportunities, and strategic partnerships that align with McLaren's luxury brand positioning and long-term business objectives. The position is accountable for identifying new commercial opportunities, managing partner and licensee relationships, governing brand applications, and ensuring successful execution across all markets.
The successful candidate is a commercially driven, highly organised, and collaborative leader who is passionate about building brands through innovative merchandise, licensing opportunities, and strategic partnerships. They combine strategic thinking with strong execution discipline and can identify opportunities that drive sustainable revenue growth while protecting and enhancing the McLaren brand.
Responsibilities
- Lead the development of merchandise programmes, licensing opportunities, and strategic partnerships
- Identify new commercial opportunities and manage partner and licensee relationships
- Govern brand applications and ensure successful execution across all markets
- Act as the primary Automotive point of contact for McLaren Racing across all Merchandise, Licensing & Partnerships activities
- Collaborate with Racing's Partnerships and Licensing functions to support partner acquisition, commercial development, and activation opportunities
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Brand Management, Retail Management, Fashion, Sports Management, or related discipline
- Significant experience in merchandising, licensing, partnerships, business development, or luxury brand management
- Strong commercial negotiation and contract management experience
- Experience managing strategic partnerships, licensees, manufacturers, and external stakeholders
- Strong understanding of intellectual property, licensing principles, royalty models, and brand governance
Benefits
- Structured career development framework
- 25 days' holiday, plus bank holiday
- 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 adaptable to lifestyle, such as discounted shopping
- Generous parental leave policies
- Range of wellbeing initiatives, such as employee assistance programme and free financial & mortgage advice
