Legal Director

At McLaren Racing, we believe only by chasing performance in everything we do can we give ourselves the best chance of success. Performance on track and in the factory. Performance for our people, our business and our partners. It’s about more than winning. It’s about hitting the highest standards, and then raising the bar again.

Purpose of the Role:

Responsibility for the strategic leadership of the Legal function within McLaren Racing, providing expert legal counsel and support across the McLaren Racing portfolio. Management of complex commercial legal activity across five separate business entities both inside and outside of the UK.

Role Dimensions:

• Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer with a dotted line to Group Legal Director and Company Secretary. Direct advisory role to the CEO and McLaren Racing Executive team, Directors and stakeholders across the business and racing portfolio: Formula 1, IndyCar, Formula E, Extreme E and Esports.
• Key stakeholders include McLaren Racing Exec, Race Team Principals and Directors, Commercial, Partnerships, Communications, Finance, Procurement and People Directors.
• Leadership of Senior Legal Advisors, supported by a Senior Legal Assistant.
• Budget management responsibility, liaison with key regulatory bodies and management of external counsel.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Accountable for high quality, responsive legal provision to McLaren Racing in the UK and other jurisdictions, including McLaren’s Indy Car operations in the USA, to support all race series, across the broad range of commercial and sports law, including regulatory and compliance both for the sport and otherwise related to particular product sectors, contract, commercial sponsorship and partnerships, intellectual property, licensing, acquisitions, property, and employment law.
• Leading and developing a high performing legal team, setting the culture, providing clear direction and quality feedback enabling the team to work autonomously and deliver high quality legal support to stakeholders.
• Supporting Chief People & Sustainability Officer and People Directors on complex employment related matters, providing direction to the Senior Employment Law Advisor.
• Providing timely advice and support to internal stakeholders, drafting and negotiating complex contracts, partnership, sponsorship and licensing agreements.
• Interpreting governance and regulations in relation to Formula 1 advising and supporting internal stakeholders including being contactable over race weekends for any questions and controversies arising.
• Acting on behalf of the business with governing bodies as applicable to role.
• Facilitating transactions between governing bodies, broadcasters and media.
• Management of any material disputes or litigation.
• Supporting the business in acquisition transactions and changes in the construct of the business.
• Supporting legal aspects pertaining to our sustainability, DE&I agenda which form core elements of our strategy and culture.