Operations

Operations covers everything from site management to planning and managing the processes required to ensure our construction projects run well. It’s key to all that we do.

BUILD A THRIVING CAREER

All you need to succeed…

Join Wates, and you’ll be joining a highly successful family firm with over 125 years under its belt. One with a proven track record, a bulging order book worth £2.2bn, and an annual turnover of £322.7m.

We have high-energy, high-performing teams throughout the business, and are proud to have such a good, diverse mix of people working for us. We also take care of our employees and believe that everyone at Wates should have the chance to progress their career. It’s one reason so many of our employees choose to stay with us.

Whatever level you come in at, you’ll get all the training and CPD you need to succeed. We’ll do all we can to help you achieve your ambitions, including extra support should you want it. We set out a clear career path for everyone who joins us and encourage internal promotion. Once you’re here, you can access all the opportunities across the Wates Group too.  There’s no better place to build your career.

Build a Thriving Career at Wates

JOIN A THRIVING TEAM

About you…

We offer a wide range of operational roles across our business. These include skilled tradespeople, project, logistics, section, and site managers, all the way up to project and operations directors. You’ll need industry experience for many of these roles.  

We’re also looking for people who have the transferrable skills that we need. For example, being tech savvy, project management, and comms skills. We want people who can think practically and take a logical approach to solving problems. Someone happy to roll their sleeves up and be ‘hands-on’ when required.

Of course, the experience and qualifications will depend on the specific role. So, for a project director, we’d like 6-8 years as a project lead, and ideally, a professional qualification. For all roles, it would be great if you had some contracting and development experience.

CAREERS IN OPERATIONS

Want to be a part of our team?

Contracts Manager

Location: Coalville

Job Type: Operational

Application Deadline: 04-06-2025

Here at Wates we have an opportunity for a Contracts Manager to join our WPS team within our Responsive Maintenance division. You will be based out of our shared client offices in the Coalville area so ideally will need to be commutable to that area. The primary focus of this role will be to increase the contract turnover whilst ensuring compliance with contractual service standards.Key Accountabilities will include: Lead a team of Supervisors, Administrators, Planners and Operatives Manage, monitor, review and oversee customer satisfaction across the contract Ensure that large multi-trade jobs are booked in by the scheduling team and are checked to clarify what trades and timeframes are required Responsible for operatives adhering to the attendance, mobile phone, driving, no smoking and alcohol and drugs policies, ensuring that if the policies and procedures are not followed the appropriate action is taken Work closely with Commercial team to identify and rectify Invoicing issues affecting contract P & L margins Ensure Health and Safety compliance in adherence with our Wates Operating FrameworkWe are looking for an experienced Contracts Manager who: Has Repairs and Maintenance sector experience Has a proven track record in managing large Maintenance contracts Has a proven track record in managing a large and diverse direct labour organisation and Supply Chain. Be fully compliant and has a proven track record in Health and Safety Management. Has proven commercial acumen in running large Maintenance contractsTo be successful in this role you will be an excellent communicator able to influence at all levels, be highly organised and driven to achieve high levels of customer and client satisfaction.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 Please make your current line manager aware that you are interested in this internal opportunity before applying. One of the Recruitment Team will then be in contact to discuss the role in more detail and advise of next steps.

Building Services Manager

Location: Wembley

Job Type: Operational

Application Deadline: 03-06-2025

Wates Group is seeking a Building Services Manager to join our Residential team in London. You’ll play a key role on a major residential scheme, delivering high-quality new homes to local communities.This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to projects that make a real difference, while supporting excellence in mechanical and electrical (M&E) services delivery.ABOUT THE ROLEAs a Building Services Manager, you will support the operations team by ensuring first-class sustainable M&E performance, while complying with Wates Group’s Operating Framework and corporate policies. Your focus will be on leadership, value creation, and delivering best-in-class building services.Key Responsibilities: Lead and manage the engineering workforce delivering hard M&E services, compliance, and Operating Framework (OF) delivery. Support the planning and delivery of extra works and M&E/fabric-related projects. Monitor and manage M&E programme alignment with the Wates Residential construction schedule. Organise and lead M&E progress meetings; liaise with operational site teams and external stakeholders. Lead mobilisation of new buildings across a dynamic property portfolio, including due diligence, risk assessments, and dilapidation surveys. Ensure company policies and procedures are consistently applied across the region.We are looking for an experienced and driven professional with proven experience managing MEP projects valued at £15m or more. Strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate technical teams. Expertise in building services compliance and health & safety regulations. A proactive approach to problem-solving and stakeholder communication and knowledge of M&E systems in residential construction.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… 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, 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 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.

Site Manager

Location: Swadlincote

Job Type: Operational

Application Deadline: 03-06-2025

Due to ongoing success here at Wates we have an opportunity for a Site Manager to join our planned maintenance team on A FIXED TERM CONTRACT until the end of the year. As the Site Manager you will be working on a planned works contract which includes kitchens, bathrooms, roofing replacements and electrical works. This role is working closely with one of our social housing partners in the South Derby area so ideally, we are looking for an experienced site manager within planned works and having worked with similar clients. The primary focus of this role will be to ensure a project is built safely, economically to the agreed timescales and quality standards. Key Accountabilities will include: Responsible for input into and programming the works/short-term programming of works. Manage Operatives, Sub-Contractors and Suppliers to ensure quality control is always maintained along with Health and safety. Attend pre- and post-inspection works and advise on appropriate action and job requirements and assist with design solutions. This resulting in the successful delivery and handover of schemes. Carry out Weekly Site Progress reports per scheme that will be file electronically as well as submitting to Project Manager. Ensure that once works are completed, the full and completed job packs are sent to the Project Manager at the office along with completion details to guarantee a swift invoicing procedure to eliminate WIP (work In Progress) & certify cash flow. We are looking for an experienced Site Manager with a successful track record of managing projects within the social housing arena ideally having experience with planned works. 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

Operations Manager

Location: York

Job Type: Operational

Application Deadline: 22-05-2025

Here at Wates, we have an opportunity for an Operations Manager to join our Property Services Planned team in the Midlands area. This role will be focussing on projects within the social housing sector so ideally, we are looking for someone who has experience of working in a similar field. You will be managing a team of Project Managers and Site Managers and direct reports to provide a first-class service to our clients and sustainable, growing Operational service in the Planned Maintenance Division. The role is to act as the interface between the various clients at monthly review meetings and deliver all contracts to an extremely high standard making sure KPIs & Health & Safety is maintained to the clients' expectations and Wates high standards at all times. Key Accountabilities will include: Responsible for all regional delivery; building and maintaining an effective and motivated team Lead the division with an operational and commercial mindset making sure the team are aware of contract obligations and how they can always influence profitability Ensure that all projects are set-up with company governance maximised, production control in place and productivity regularly monitored To work and develop relationships with all key clients to allow each contract to run in accordance with the brief and the clients' high expectations. Attend all client progress meetings giving feedback, progress and all KPI data as requested. Procure work by maintaining and developing contacts in the industry, as well as have direct involvement in the strategic thinking applied to the Unit's tenders To work with all key supply chain partners making sure all Operating Framework compliance details are in place before commencement of any projects Monitor and approve the financial forecasts; ensuring that the best cost planning information is provided To drive compliance and operating excellence throughout the division at all levels. To be successful in the role you will already be in an operational leadership role and have experience in successfully managing maintenance teams and projects and been accountable for all disciplines from the bidding stage; from design and planning through to handover, all within time and budget. We are looking for the ability to lead and influence at all levels to deliver outstanding results, successfully develop relationships to create future opportunities and have a proactive approach to risk management and value-add. 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