Design
Help us to shape a better future by influencing, guiding, and managing the design process from start to finish. As part of our Design team, we’ll make sure your career thrives.
Help us to shape a better future by influencing, guiding, and managing the design process from start to finish. As part of our Design team, we’ll make sure your career thrives.

People thrive at Wates
You could have design experience, be looking for a career change, or be returning to work after a break. Above all, you need the right attributes to succeed in our Design team.
We’re looking for inquisitive people, who are great problem solvers, and able to think laterally. Someone who is good at interacting with and managing people, both internally and externally. Perhaps the key thing to remember is that we don’t author design, we shape it. That means our ability to influence what someone else does with a pen is vital.
In terms of transferrable skills, the most important are to be analytical and creative. If you have a creative background, you’ll fit in very well.

No better place to develop your career
We’re innovative, agile, and entrepreneurial. We also know what we’re good at. As part of our Design team, you’ll play a key role in helping to create the thriving places of tomorrow. You’ll get to work on a huge range of projects too, in terms of building typology, complexity, geography, and scale. The variety we can offer you is unrivalled.
There are a range of roles in terms of a career path and a job family within Design. If you come in as a trainee, or assistant, you’ll join a team contributing and learning with others on a smaller project. As you progress, the opportunities and challenges increase. You’ll be expected to focus more on leadership strategy and contribute to the direction of the business you work in too.
At Wates, you’ll get every opportunity to develop your career in a timely fashion. We like to make the most of our in-house talent and promote from within. If we believe that someone is 80% ready for the next step, we’ll progress them.
Senior Design Manager
Location: Manchester
Job Type: Design
Application Deadline: 13-01-2026
We’re not just building projects – we’re shaping skylines, redefining spaces, and creating environments that inspire. Now, we’re looking for a Senior Design Manager to join our Construction Team and lead the charge on high-profile, technically complex projects across multiple sectors.If you’re someone who loves turning bold ideas into reality and has has the technical expertise to challenge convention and raise the bar then this is your moment. Bring your creativity, your vision, and your ambition – and let’s create tomorrow togetherAt Wates, you’ll find a supportive, diverse team and the freedom to push boundaries, innovate, and grow your career to new heights.ABOUT THE ROLE Our Senior Design Managers are a valuable part of our business, driving quality outcomes, enhancing buildability and fostering innovation. Senior Design Managers work collaboratively with our customers and industry specialists to ensure that the design develops in accordance with the brief with a firm focus on added value, compliance, commercial viability, and best practice. As our Senior Design Manager, you will: Review the current design of all projects and undertake detailed risk and opportunities appraisal to mitigating risk, enhance buildability and add value prior to construction phase In collaboration with the project team, Lead Designer and Consultant Team, produce and manage a realistic design programme and information required schedule, to satisfy design, procurement, and construction requirements. Work closely with the Commercial and Operations Teams to ensure all design deliverables are fully coordinated, buildable and within budget. Contribute to technical workshops, value management exercises as required to align expectations in this respect WHAT WE OFFER Competitive salary & profit share scheme Flexible working Car Allowance / Company Car (subject to Role/Grade) Travel covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates) Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 8% employers’ contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 26 days holidays + bank holidays and much more… Excellent range of learning and development activity to support your career progression. Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 12 weeks fully paid paternity. To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/ We are always looking for a variety of new talent to join our teams, to help us grow and innovate as a business. Although you may not have all of the skills listed, many of them may be transferable to other roles within the WATES Group. If you would like clarity on any of our vacancies, discuss career opportunities in strict confidence or need anything to make our recruitment process easier, please contact our In-House Recruitment Team directly or via recruitment@wates.co.uk and one of us will get in touch as soon as possible. As a responsible and inclusive employer, we are committed to equality and are proud to have been recognised for this through a range of accolades including gold accreditation with Investors in People, we are also a Disability Confident employer. Being a family owned, business means we understand and value long term relationships. Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks. To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting
Senior Planner
Location: Birmingham
Job Type: Planning
Application Deadline: 13-01-2026
Wates Construction are looking for a Senior Planner to join our Construction Team where we are focussing on high profile, technically complex projects across multiple sectors.If you are passionate about working within a team environment, have proven analytical and planning skills and are looking for an opportunity to challenge the norm, bring fresh new ideas and elevate yourself within the industry then join us and help to create tomorrow together.This is a great opportunity to progress your career as part of a talented, diverse, and supportive team.ABOUT THE ROLEOur Senior Planners are a valuable part of our business, the focus of this role is to provide an effective and professional planning and programming services for pre-contract and project teams.As our Senior Planner you will:· Instigate and monitor a balanced suite of performance measurement criteria throughout a project’s lifecycle· Ensure proper integration of design and procurement elements of programmes with construction· Produce integrated tender programme and method statement and present proposals to settlement meeting· Change management: review programme effect of changes and advise on EOT issues· Produce schedules as well as obtain and analyse quotes for all time-related preliminariesWHAT WE OFFER· Competitive salary & profit share scheme· Flexible working· Car Allowance / Company Car (subject to Role/Grade)· Travel covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates)· Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 8% employers’ contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 26 days holidays + bank holidays and much more…· Excellent range of learning and development activity to support your career progression.· Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 12 weeks fully paid paternity.To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/ We are always looking for a variety of new talent to join our teams, to help us grow and innovate as a business. Although you may not have all of the skills listed, many of them may be transferable to other roles within the WATES Group. If you would like clarity on any of our vacancies, discuss career opportunities in strict confidence or need anything to make our recruitment process easier, please contact our In-House Recruitment Team directly or via recruitment@wates.co.uk and one of us will get in touch as soon as possible. As a responsible and inclusive employer, we are committed to equality and are proud to have been recognised for this through a range of accolades including gold accreditation with Investors in People, we are also a Disability Confident employer. Being a family owned, business means we understand and value long term relationships.Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks. To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting
Commercial Manager
Location: London NW1
Job Type: Commercial
Application Deadline: 13-01-2026
Wates are looking for a Commercial Manager to join our Construction Team in London focussing on high profile, technically complex projects across multiple sectors.If you are passionate about the commercial aspects of Construction and are looking for an opportunity to challenge the norm, bring fresh new ideas and elevate yourself within the industry then join us and help to create tomorrow together.This is a great opportunity to progress your career as part of a talented, diverse, and supportive team.ABOUT THE ROLEOur Commercial Managers are a valuable part of our business, and their role will encompass both work winning and the delivery of live projects whilst providing strong functional leadership, management, governance and excellence for all commercial activities pre and post contract, across either a single large project or portfolio of projects.As our Commercial Manager you will:· Drive clear strategy on commercial delivery, customer engagement and repeat business whilst managing, training and developing the wider Commercial Teams.· Use sound planning and project management skills to deliver multiple and complex commitments and objectives whilst consistently using financial levers to grow profitability for the portfolio and business unit· Actively engage with all internal and external stakeholders and ensure that the commercial function within the business unit effectively supports the other functions such as, Design, Operations and Pre-Construction as requiredWHAT WE OFFER· Competitive salary & profit share scheme· Flexible working· Car Allowance / Company Car (subject to Role/Grade)· Travel covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates)· Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 8% employers’ contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 26 days holidays + bank holidays and much more…· Excellent range of learning and development activity to support your career progression.· Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 12 weeks fully paid paternity. To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/We are always looking for a variety of new talent to join our teams, to help us grow and innovate as a business. Although you may not have all of the skills listed, many of them may be transferable to other roles within the WATES Group.If you would like clarity on any of our vacancies or to discuss career opportunities in strict confidence, please contact our In-House Recruitment Team directly via recruitment@wates.co.uk and one of us will get in touch as soon as possible.As a responsible and inclusive employer, we are committed to equality and are proud to have been recognised for this through a range of accolades including gold accreditation with Investors in People, we are also a Disability Confident employer. Being a family owned, business means we understand and value long term relationships.Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks. To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting
Framework Coordinator
Location: London NW1
Job Type: Bid
Application Deadline: 13-01-2026
We are looking for a proactive and highly organised Framework Coordinator to join our Smartspace Team. This role will play a key part in supporting the successful management and delivery of national frameworks and associated bid activities.The Framework Coordinator will be responsible for the day-to-day administration of frameworks, monitoring client communications, cascading relevant information across teams, maintaining database records, and producing reports and statistical insights.Key Responsibilities: Support the Bid Lead in the coordination and project management of Selection Questionnaires (SQs), as well as first- and second-stage bid submissions. Schedule and organise internal governance meetings in line with company protocols and the Wates Operating Framework. Maintain accurate and up-to-date bid pipeline data within Salesforce to support reporting and business insights. Conduct thorough research on potential clients, projects, and consultant teams to inform bid strategies and project assessments. Manage the download and upload of tender-related documentation using client-specific portals. Set up and manage project-specific SharePoint sites, including applying the agreed folder structure and managing access permissions. Ensure timely distribution of all tender documentation to the relevant teams via SharePoint. Prepare and deliver Bid Launch presentations that clearly communicate project details, deliverables, timelines, and strategy.WHAT WE OFFER Competitive salary & profit share scheme Flexible working Car Allowance / Company Car * Travel covered to any of our sites* Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 8% employers contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 26 days holidays + bank holidays and much more… One of the best learning and development programmes which is customizable to support your career progression goals. (c.7000 training sessions delivered year to date across the WATES Group) Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 12 weeks fully paid paternity.(*Subject to role…….)To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/We are always looking for a variety of new talent to join our teams, to help us grow and innovate as a business. Although you may not have all of the skills listed, many of them may be transferable to other roles within the WATES Group.If you would like clarity on any of our vacancies or to discuss career opportunities in strict confidence, please contact our In-House Recruitment Team directly via recruitment@wates.co.uk and one of us will get in touch as soon as possible.As a responsible and inclusive employer, we are committed to equality and are proud to have been recognised for this through a range of accolades including gold accreditation with Investors in People, we are also a Disability Confident employer. Being a family owned, business means we understand and value long term relationships.Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks. To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting