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.

People thrive at Wates

It’s all about you…

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

Join the best in the business…

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.

Careers in design

Want to be a part of our team?

Senior Planner

Location: Cambridge

Job Type: Planning

Application Deadline: 04-02-2026

Wates Construction are looking for a Senior Planner to join our Construction Team in the South 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

Senior Quantity Surveyor

Location: London NW1

Job Type: Commercial

Application Deadline: 08-02-2026

Wates are looking for a Senior Quantity Surveyor 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 Senior Quantity Surveyors are a valuable part of our business, where they lead the team on a project or cluster of packages having full accountability for the development and implementation of all pre and post contract strategies, commercial functions and contract reporting. Senior Quantity Surveyors take the lead; working collaboratively with our customers and industry specialists with a firm focus on added value, compliance, commercial viability, and best practice.As our Senior Quantity Surveyor you will:· Manage the project commercial team ensuring all Wates Main Contract obligations are met and process obligations are complete with particular reference to Procurement, Sub-contract orders, Managing Supply Chain, Measurements and Valuations, Contractual Notices and Valuing Change· Complete and submit Monthly Cost Reports, Procurement Strategy Updates and Internal/External Progress Reports alongside developing and implementing internal and external tender stage and delivery strategies· Agree external valuations upstream/downstream to maintain a positive project cashflow and produce and agree main and subcontract final accountsWHAT 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

Assistant Framework Manager

Location: London NW1

Job Type: Bid

Application Deadline: 10-02-2026

Wates are offering an exceptional opportunity for an ambitious Assistant Framework Manager to play a key role in driving the success of our strategic frameworks. This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a fast‑paced environment, enjoys building strong relationships, and is energised by the challenge of delivering consistently high performance across multiple workstreams.As an integral part of our framework team, you’ll support the smooth day‑to‑day running of key frameworks — from governance and performance reporting through to client engagement and re‑bid activity. This is a role where curiosity, collaboration, and a proactive mindset will be genuinely valued.What You’ll Be Doing:In this role, you will contribute to shaping the success of our frameworks by: Developing smart, insightful performance tools Creating dashboards and reporting systems that track project and framework performance, spotlight opportunities for improvement, and support data‑driven decision‑making. Supporting strategic framework wins Getting involved in win plans, prequalification activity, and bid execution to help secure the frameworks that underpin our future growth. Driving sector and strategy insights Supporting research that strengthens our framework and sector strategies and ensures we’re always one step ahead. Building trusted relationships Working closely with framework teams and clients to maintain strong, dependable partnerships. Championing framework governance Helping ensure commitments, objectives, and delivery standards are met consistently and effectively. Contributing to marketing and PR efforts Supporting activities that enhance client retention and promote the strength of our offer. Sharing best practice across teams Bringing innovation, sector knowledge, and fresh thinking into our bid teams to elevate our collective performance. 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

Head of Sustainability – Construction

Location: Nationwide

Job Type: SHEQ

Application Deadline: 30-01-2026

Head of Sustainability – Construction DivisionLocation: UK – flexible national role • Contract: Permanent • Reports to: UK Operations DirectorCreate measurable environmental and social impact at scale.We’re looking for a strategic, commercially minded Head of Sustainability to shape and deliver an industry‑leading sustainability strategy for Wates Construction. You’ll put excellent environmental performance and social value at the heart of how we win and deliver work – helping us achieve our 2030 and 2045 ambitions while creating real value for customers, communities and our business.What you’ll do Set the direction & deliver outcomes. Lead the FY26 Certainty of Outcome plan across five themes -Climate, Nature, Responsible Construction, Circularity and Social Value -turning strategy into visible results on live projects. Lead and grow a high‑performing team. Inspire and develop a multi‑disciplinary sustainability & social value team (c. 26 colleagues) and champion inclusive, purpose‑driven leadership across the division. Win work with sustainability. Re‑set market perceptions with a compelling offer; equip business development and BU leadership with data, tools and stories that differentiate Wates and drive profitable growth. Raise the bar on compliance & data. Anticipate risk using leading indicators, strengthen lag‑indicator learning, and ensure sustainability data is robust, timely and decision‑ready. Advise at Board level. Provide sharp analysis, clear recommendations and thought leadership that steer investment, innovation and delivery across the Construction division. Engage and influence. Build momentum internally and externally -bringing customers, partners and the supply chain with us through evidence‑led storytelling and collaborative delivery.What you’ll bring Deep domain expertise in construction‑sector sustainability (environmental and social), ESG or environmental management -combining technical credibility with commercial acumen. Proven strategic leadership -setting vision, building capability, and delivering measurable outcomes across complex programmes. Hands‑on technical fluency (e.g., carbon management, resource efficiency/circularity, nature/biodiversity, responsible construction, social value). Excellent communication -from board‑level insight and tender presentations to mentoring and capability building across teams. Qualifications (ideal): Bachelor’s in a related field; a Master’s (e.g., Environmental Management/MBA/CISL) is an advantage. Professional credentials (e.g., ISO 14001, ISSP‑CSP) and familiarity with frameworks such as GRI, UK SRS, UK TOMS and carbon accounting tools are beneficial.Why Wates ConstructionYou’ll join a business committed to delivering places that are better for people and the planet -where sustainability is integral to strategy, not a side‑project. Expect the autonomy to innovate, the platform to influence, and the support of leaders who want to make a difference.What we offerCompetitive salary + car allowance/benefits + bonusFlexible/hybrid working and family‑friendly policiesOngoing professional development and chartership supportAn inclusive culture that values diversity, wellbeing and growthReady to lead real change?Apply now via our careers page.