Health, safety & wellbeing
Health, safety, and wellbeing is at the core of what we do, and our zero-harm approach, means our sites are some of the safest in the sector. In our SHE team, you and your career will thrive.
Health, safety, and wellbeing is at the core of what we do, and our zero-harm approach, means our sites are some of the safest in the sector. In our SHE team, you and your career will thrive.
THE BEST PLACE TO DEVELOP YOUR CAREER
We’re successful, profitable, and have one of the most impressive safety records in the industry. When it comes to health, safety, and wellbeing, we’re proud to ‘walk the talk’.
There are a huge range of opportunities within our SHE team, from SHE advisors, to SHE Manager, Head of Health and Wellbeing and Director of Health, Safety and Wellbeing. Whatever level you come in at, there are no limits to how far you can go. Provided you think of your development and grab the opportunities, you’ll get all the support you need to succeed. If you have a particular interest, we’ll help you make it happen.
As part of the SHE team, you’ll have access to every other function across the business. It will give you real exposure to most other roles and excellent networking opportunities. It’s one of the areas that has the most transferrable skills and because the business is so diverse, there are opportunities to expand into other areas. Whatever your ambitions, you’ll find many paths to achieve them.
PEOPLE THRIVE AT WATES
Whether you have sector experience, fancy a career change, or are returning to work after a break, we’d love to hear from you.
Ideally, from a technical perspective, you’ll be a Chartered Safety and Health Practitioner or working towards that goal. We have also taken on safety trainees in some parts of the business. Above all, it’s about having the right qualities – determination to learn, an understanding of risk, enthusiasm, and an inquisitive mind. Someone who asks, ‘can we do this a better way?’
People skills are a must, alongside the ability to simplify complex problems, an open mindset, and someone who can work independently. You should also have excellent influencing skills at all levels and be comfortable modelling the right behaviours. These roles are not about enforcing legislation. Instead, we want people who understand the issue and can work collaboratively to address it.
We’re keen to broaden our talent pool and are open to people from outside construction.
TESTIMONIALS
Head of Health and Wellbeing
"I joined Wates in 2003, with no experience in the industry. During this time, I have been fortunate enough to work with some great supportive colleagues and managers, all of whom have helped me reach my potential, supported me during my studies and presented me with challenges and opportunities to grow and develop. I have been able to work in several of the businesses and at a group level during my career and have taken on various roles and projects that have allowed me to be myself, use my skills and led to invaluable connections both internally and externally. When I look back, I realise how varied and dynamic my career has been with opportunities for growth, change and promotion. If I was to go back and start all over again, I would choose Wates, without a doubt.”
CAREERS IN HEALTH, SAFETY & WELLBEING
SHE Advisor
Location: East Anglia
Job Type: SHEQ
Application Deadline: 22-07-2025
Shape the future. Drive change. Build safer.Are you ready to challenge convention and make a genuine impact on some of the most high-profile, technically complex projects?At Wates Construction, we’re on the lookout for a forward-thinking SHE Advisor to join our dynamic team in Suffolk. We work across multiple sectors, pushing boundaries in design, delivery, and sustainability — and we’re looking for someone just as passionate about excellence and innovation in health, safety, and environmental leadership.ABOUT THE ROLEThis is more than just a compliance role. It’s a chance to influence how SHE is embedded at every stage of construction, from pre-con through to delivery. You’ll be supported by a diverse, collaborative team and empowered to bring new ideas to the table — all while progressing your career in a business that truly values your voice.As our SHE Advisor you will: Champion SHE best practice across multiple projects — supporting, coaching and advising teams on site. Conduct visits and reviews, identifying risk and influencing safe behaviours. Lead investigations, support RAMS reviews, and ensure incident reporting is timely and meaningful. Influence early-stage design and bid activity, driving risk awareness from the ground up. Collaborate with supply chain partners to embed Wates’ SHE standards. Share insight, innovation and learning across the business to help us continually raise the bar.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 Standard 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
Location: Finsbury Park
Job Type: SHEQ
Application Deadline: 21-07-2025
🌍 Head of Sustainability – WPS 📍 Location: National ¦ 🕒 Full-timeAre you ready to lead the charge toward a greener, more sustainable future? WPS is looking for a visionary Head of Sustainability to drive our environmental strategy and embed sustainability at the heart of everything we do. 🌱🔎 About the RoleAs Head of Sustainability, you’ll shape and deliver an industry-leading strategy that positions WPS as the most environmentally sustainable business in our sector. Reporting directly to the WPS Board Member accountable for sustainability, you’ll influence decisions at the highest level, collaborate across the business and supply chain, and lead a passionate team to deliver real, measurable impact.🌟 Key Responsibilities Refine and lead the delivery of WPS’s environmental strategy in line with our Environmental Sustainability Plan. Embed environmental performance into customer offerings and financial decision-making. Collaborate with Group leaders, clients, and suppliers to drive systemic change and deliver net zero, nature-positive outcomes. Analyse and forecast environmental impact to prioritise high-impact initiatives. Build and lead a high-performing sustainability team and foster a culture of innovation and accountability. Represent WPS on the Wates Group sustainability leadership team and contribute to group-wide progress.📈 What You’ll Be Doing Win work by aligning sustainability with client ambitions and strategic goals. Ensure compliance with environmental legislation and drive continuous improvement. Engage and influence senior leaders to embed sustainability into culture, performance, and decision-making. Set and track ambitious environmental targets, reporting progress to the board and wider business.🎓 What We’re Looking For Graduate calibre with 5+ years’ experience in sustainability, ideally in the built environment. Proven technical expertise in environmental management and low-carbon strategy. Strong commercial acumen and analytical skills. Excellent communicator and relationship builder, able to influence at all levels. Passionate, self-motivated, and committed to making a difference.💼 Why Join WPS?This is your opportunity to lead transformational change in a business that’s serious about sustainability. You’ll have the platform, support, and autonomy to shape the future of WPS—and the built environment. 🌟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 One of the Recruitment Team will be in contact to discuss the role in more detail and advise of the next step.
SHE Manager
Location: Finsbury Park
Job Type: SHEQ
Application Deadline: 21-07-2025
🌍 Join WPS as a SHE Manager – National RoleFocused on our Facilities Management business within WPSAre you passionate about creating safer, healthier, and more sustainable workplaces? WPS is seeking an experienced and inspiring SHE Manager to lead the Safety, Health & Environmental agenda across our FM operations in the UK.🔍 About the RoleAs SHE Manager for WPS Facilities Management, you will play a central role in shaping and delivering our SHE strategy across our national FM portfolio. Reporting to the Head of SHEQ, you will provide expert guidance, coaching, and leadership to ensure our SHE policies are embedded in every aspect of our FM services. You will work closely with FM business boards, regional leaders, and supply chain partners to champion a culture of safety and continuous improvement.✅ What You’ll Be Doing Lead the deployment of our strategy, policies and standards across the FM business. Coach senior FM leaders on risk identification and mitigation. Oversee incident investigations and ensure high-quality reporting and learning. Drive the use of digital tools such as EcoOnline and PowerBI for SHE performance tracking. Support FM bid and mobilisation activities with a focus on safe design and delivery. Build strong networks within the FM supply chain to promote SHE best practices. Present SHE dashboards and insights at FM board level to influence strategic decisions.🌟 What We’re Looking For A confident communicator with strong influencing and coaching skills. Proven leadership in SHE within facilities management, construction, or industrial environments. Deep understanding of SHE legislation and behavioural safety. Analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into actionable insights. A role model for SHE and leadership behaviours.🎓 Qualifications CMIOSH or equivalent. NEBOSH Diploma / NVQ Level 4 or equivalent.💼 Why Join WPS?This national role offers full mobility across our FM business units. You will be at the forefront of shaping a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future for our people and places. If you’re ready to make a real impact in facilities management, we’d love to hear from you.Please note: This role requires a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually and fairly. Some roles may also be subject to additional pre-employment checks. Learn more about the process here: National Security Vetting.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 One of the Recruitment Team will be in contact to discuss the role in more detail and advise of the next step.
Standards Advisor
Location: Finsbury Park
Job Type: SHEQ
Application Deadline: 15-07-2025
We currently have an opportunity for a Standards Advisor to join our Wates team within our Responsive Maintenance division. You will be working out of our Finsbury Park office on one of our social housing contracts. The primary focus of this role will be to provide professional SHEQ support. You will engage with various teams and supply chain peers to ensure that our SHE policy is promoted and effectively deployed, providing support to senior SHE advisors.Key Accountabilities will include: Support with the development of programmes for project visits that ensures the highest level of SHE standards as appropriate to project risks. Actively and effectively challenging noncompliance of SHE policies and standards. Support business leadership in the preparation of bids. Communicate learning and good practices from within and outside the business.We are looking for you to have experience of SHE policies in an industrial or construction environment and ideally have worked on a similar programme of works. To be successful in the role you will be an excellent communicator, with the ability to coach and influence individuals, along with being able to identify hazards.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