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.
Account Manager
Location: Southampton
Job Type: Engineering
Application Deadline: 09-03-2026
ACCOUNT MANAGER Wates have excellent opportunity for a technically strong Account Manager to provide operational leadership, technical management, added value and development of our unique client based in Southampton. ABOUT THE ROLE We are looking for an Account Manager with experience of working in transferable environment, with strong demonstrable experience of in leading people with experience of managing a multi-diverse team. With a recognised technical qualification and membership to the Institute of Safety and Health (IOSH) or equivalent, coupled with solid financial / commercial acumen with experience of running a P&L and ensuring budget is achieved. To be successful in the role you will have strong interpersonal, problem solving and change management skills, and be someone who can demonstrate the ability to balance the integration of the requirements and terms of policies and procedures with those of the client and make effective and persuasive presentations on complex topics to employees, clients, Senior management. This is a terrific opportunity to progress your career as part of a talented, diverse, and supportive team. Some of the other Key Accountabilities as Account Manager include: Lead and motivate the WPS team by example and deliver excellence and first class sustainable hard M&E and Fabric service provisions. Provide visible leadership and liase effectively and nurture the relationships with the key client stakeholders. To ensure compliance with all statutory, safety, quality, environmental, security and relevant Wates Professional Standards, creating a Zero Harm culture. Ensuring targets are maintained by the timely upload of compliance certification onto ACT. (Assurance Compliance Tool) Responsible for implementing and safeguarding best practice for commercial activity relating to contract management and managing specialists and suppliers to ensure dynamic MI reporting and that KPI/SLA targets are delivered. WHAT WE OFFER Competitive salary Travel covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates) Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 5% employers’ contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 22 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, 8 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 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
Lead Engineer
Location: South East
Job Type: Engineering
Application Deadline: 09-03-2026
Lead Engineer Electrical Bias – Prestigious Static Site Contract: Permanent We are seeking an experienced Lead Engineer to take ownership of a prestigious static site set within a stunning estate on the banks of the River Thames near Marlow.This is an excellent opportunity for an electrically biased, technically confident engineer who enjoys leading by example and ensuring a safe, efficient, high‑quality site operation.🔧 The RoleAs the Lead Engineer, you will: Oversee and deliver engineering operations across a high‑profile static site Bring strong electrical expertise with a practical multi‑skilled approach Maintain compliance, safety, and high engineering standards Work proactively to ensure the site runs reliably and efficiently Act as the key technical point of contact, fostering a positive client relationship (client remains confidential)🤝 What We’re Looking ForWe’d love to hear from professionals who are: Electrically biased with solid technical confidence Multi‑skilled and comfortable turning their hand to a variety of tasks Customer‑focused, proactive, and solution‑driven Reliable and professional, committed to delivering first‑class service Strong communicators who build trust with colleagues and stakeholders🌳 Why Join WPS? Work in an exceptional riverside setting within a beautiful, well‑maintained estate Enjoy a static site role—no travel between locations Supportive team culture and a brilliant working environment A chance to make a real impact, take ownership, and shape site operations Standard weekly hours with no shift workGiven 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
Pre-Construction Manager
Location: Oldham
Job Type: Pre Construction
Application Deadline: 09-03-2026
WPS are looking for an experienced and driven Pre-Construction Manager to lead the mobilisation and planning of key social housing projects, including planned maintenance and refurbishment programmes within high-rise buildings, as well as retrofit projects across the North West. This is a strategic role that ensures compliance, quality, and successful delivery from the earliest stages of project development.🏘️ Project Scope Delivery of high-rise residential schemes, ensuring compliance with the Building Safety Act and Fire Safety Regulations Mobilisation of planned works and retrofit programmes under frameworks such as PAS 2035 Coordination with design teams, consultants, and supply chain to meet client expectations and regulatory standards🎓 Qualifications: Degree or HNC/HND in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or related discipline Knowledge of the Building Safety Act, Fire Safety Regulations, and PAS 2035 Professional membership (e.g. CIOB, RICS) desirable🛠️ Key Skills: Strong understanding of pre-construction planning for Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs), including gateway submissions Expertise in procurement strategies, cost planning, and risk management Familiarity with retrofit standards and sustainability requirements Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills Proficient in programme and planning management📈 Experience: Proven track record in mobilising projects under the Building Safety Act Experience with planned maintenance frameworks and retrofit programmes Skilled in coordinating with design teams, consultants, and supply chain partners for compliance and quality Why Join Us?Be part of a team that’s shaping the future of housing. You’ll play a key role in delivering safe, sustainable, and high-quality homes across the region.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: London NW1
Job Type: Planning
Application Deadline: 16-02-2026
Wates Construction are looking for a Senior Planner to join our Construction Team in London 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/