Land promotion

Our team works hard to find new ways to bring major residential and commercial schemes forward through planning, providing vital new homes and jobs. Come help us create the thriving places of tomorrow.

Career opportunities in land promotion

THE BEST PLACE TO DEVELOP YOUR CAREER

Join our family…

We’re one of the largest and most experienced land promotion businesses in the sector. You’ll be joining a brilliant team, in a successful company with a proven track record in acquiring land and delivering valuable planning consents.  We’ve been running for over 125 years and have the values of the Wates family behind us. It’s a big factor in why we have the best reputation in the business.

We offer lots of opportunities across different roles in a wide range of areas, such as land specialists, who find sites for the business. Other roles include land and planning managers who secure allocations and planning consent once the site is secured. There are also commercial land managers who acquire sites for the logistics sector, technical managers, and accountants.  

We have strong development paths for those joining as a graduate and want to support people who are keen to progress. If you’re interested in a particular area, we’ll give you all the help you need to become a specialist. Whatever your ambitions, there are lots of different ways to achieve them. Join us, and we’ll make sure you and your career thrive.

OUR PEOPLE THRIVE

About you…

Whether you have sector experience, fancy a career change, or are returning to work after a break, we’d love to hear from you.

In Land, ideally, we’d like you to have a relevant degree in property, planning, business or geography. Above all, you should have a keen interest in land, planning, and development.

In terms of experience, you might have worked with a property agency, as a consultant, housebuilder, or property developer. The most important thing is you need to be very personable, as it’s all about relationships and contacts. Someone who is externally presentable and can embody what Wates is all about.

TESTIMONIALS

Hear from our people

Holly Rush

Development Management Trainee

"I joined Wates with no prior industry experience, and it has been an incredible journey. Through the graduate scheme I worked in the Project team supporting the promotion of land through planning. I am also an active member of the Wates Women and Allies Steering Committee which I’ve gained invaluable insights from. Wates' dedication to excellence and innovative solutions have accelerated my learning curve while allowing me to expand my professional network. Their supportive culture and emphasis on development have made each challenge manageable and rewarding. I wholeheartedly recommend Wates for anyone seeking a dynamic career path with growth and opportunity.”

CAREERS IN LAND

Want to be a part of our team?

Career opportunities in land promotion

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 Role 🏗️Are you passionate about creating safer, healthier, and more sustainable workplaces? 💚 WPS is on the lookout for an experienced and inspiring SHE Manager to lead our Safety, Health & Environmental agenda across the UK.🔍 About the RoleAs a SHE Manager, you’ll be a key player in shaping and delivering our SHE strategy nationwide. Reporting to the Head of SHEQ, you’ll provide expert guidance, coaching, and leadership to ensure our policies are not only understood but embedded in everything we do. You’ll work closely with 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 WPS SHE policies and standards across the business. 🧠 Coach senior leaders on risk identification and mitigation. 🔍 Oversee incident investigations and ensure high-quality reporting and learning. 📊 Drive the use of digital tools like EcoOnline and PowerBI for SHE performance tracking. 🏗️ Support bid and pre-construction activities with a focus on safe design. 🤝 Build strong networks within the supply chain to promote SHE best practices. 📈 Present SHE dashboards and insights at board level, influencing strategic decisions.🌟 What We’re Looking For 🗣️ A confident communicator with strong influencing and coaching skills. 🧑‍💼 Proven leadership in SHE within 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 is a national role offering full mobility across our business units. You’ll be at the forefront of shaping a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future for our people and projects. 🌱 If you’re ready to make a real impact, we’d love to hear from you!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.

Supervisor

Location: Ealing

Job Type: Trades and Labour

Application Deadline: 21-07-2025

We have an opportunity for a Supervisor to join our Wates team within our Responsive Maintenance division. You will be working out of our Ealing office on one of our social housing contracts, delivering reactive and some planned maintenance to our residents.Key Accountabilities will include: Ensure high quality service is provided with the management of the work scheduling in accordance with company procedures, standards and SLAs Represent Wates at client and resident performance meetings as requested by the Operations Manager Manage the responsive repairs function to ensure consistent performance against targets Effective and efficient management of material costs and ensure that all are following correct processes and procedures Monitor quality of work through inspection, inspection reports, analysis of key performance indicators and analysis of customer satisfaction surveys. Lead, manage and contribute to the development of your team and determine optimum employment levels to comply with the provision of the serviceYou must have a full UK driving licence.To be successful in the role you must also be an excellent communicator with the ability to problem solve, multi task and work to tight deadlines. Prior responsive maintenance experience is crucial to the role. You must also have your SSSTS qualification as a minimum.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

Electrician

Location: Milton Keynes

Job Type: Trades and Labour

Application Deadline: 17-07-2025

We have an opportunity for an Electrician to join our WPS team within our Reactive Housing Maintenance Division. You will be working from our Milton Keynes office and covering the surrounding areas, working on our social housing contract. The primary focus of this role will be to undertake all tasks to achieve first time fix and deliver a high standard of workmanship in a timely and productive manner always affording excellent customer service to the client.Key Accountabilities will include: Undertaking repair/ renewal works within your Electricians remit and work with associated trades Ensure maintenance work is undertaken safely and in accordance with all technical standards Communicate effectively with residents, scheduler and line manager Work safely and in compliance with Health & Safety and safeguarding requirements Remain up-to-date with technical and legal requirements of skill area Working in partnership with other operatives to complete repairs, if required Completing time sheets work sheets detailing work undertaken and materials used after each job undertaken, via a PDAYou must have: A full UK driving licence Level 3 Qualification 18th EditionWe are looking for a qualified and experienced Electrician who can utilise their skills to deliver small projects and repair works. You will hold a full UK diving licence, be confident in managing your own workload and will ideally already have experience of the housing maintenance sector.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