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?

Project Director

Location: Derby

Job Type: Operational

Application Deadline: 14-05-2025

Wates are looking for a Project Director to join our Construction team on a MOJ project in Market Harborough though will initially be based our of out Castle Donington office.If you are Project Director with proven technical skills 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 Project Directors are a valuable part of our business, the focus of this role will be to provide visible leadership, insight, direction and foresight in the safe and profitable delivery of schemes, while also providing excellent customer satisfaction and successfully develop a team.As Our Project Manager You Will• Lead the project team and manage the supply chain to deliver projects to time, cost and quality targets and standards• Ensure safety targets and standards are maintained by understanding what safety excellence looks like• Foster a continuous improvement culture by actively seeking input from all members of the project team and encouraging them to implement safety improvements• Lead, manage and deliver operational excellence and efficiency through appropriate use of leadership indicator health check reviews through the Bid, Pre-construction and Construction phases of the projectWhat 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. Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo an Enhanced Security Check (eSC) 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 VettingTo find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/

Site Manager

Location: Newmarket

Job Type: Operational

Application Deadline: 08-05-2025

Wates are looking for a Site Manager to join our MOJ Construction team in Suffolk focussing on high profile, technically complex project.If you are passionate about the construction industry with proven skills and 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 Site Managers are a valuable part of our business, driving quality outcomes and achieving the highest standards of safety, health, and environmental controls. Our Site Manager work collaboratively with our Project Managers to ensure the completion of the project to the highest standard.As our Site Manager you will: Implement Wates Operating framework and be committed to achieving Zero Harm on our Construction sites Undertake all Quality management in accordance with the Project Quality Plan. Plan and manage the works to achieve the construction programme key milestones and completion dates with the use of collaborative planning sessions with the supply chain Review and understand all design pertinent to the section of worksWHAT 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/Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Baseline Personnel Security Standard Check (BPSS) as well as Enhanced Level 1 for entry to a live prison which will be done 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 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.

Senior Site Manager

Location: Market Harborough

Job Type: Operational

Application Deadline: 05-05-2025

Wates are looking for a Senior Site Manager to join our Construction team in the Market Harborough area focussing on high profile, technically complex project within out MOJ division.If you are passionate about the construction industry with proven skills and 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 Site Managers are a valuable part of our business, overseeing project sites to ensure developments are completed on time. Creating budgets, liaising with clients, and supervising teams whilst maintaining quality control procedures and mitigating risks.As our Senior Site Manager you will: Ensuring compliance with all safety requirements on site Undertaking the resource management and tracking of works on site to achieve the contract programme. Reporting on progress and developing corrective plans to stay on course Maintaining accurate records of works on site, incorporating any delas to progress or changes to scope and ensuring these are elevated to the Quantity Surveyor and Project Manager expediently. Manage the training and competency of operatives on site, both internal and external.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 Baseline Personnel Security Standard Check (BPSS) as well as Enhanced Level 1 for entry to a live prison which will be done 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 Site Manager

Location: Wolverhampton

Job Type: Operational

Application Deadline: 05-05-2025

Wates are looking for a Senior Site Manager to join our Construction team in the Wolverhampton area focussing on high profile, technically complex project within our MOJ division.If you are passionate about the construction industry with proven skills and 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 Site Managers are a valuable part of our business, overseeing project sites to ensure developments are completed on time. Creating budgets, liaising with clients, and supervising teams whilst maintaining quality control procedures and mitigating risks.As our Senior Site Manager you will: Ensuring compliance with all safety requirements on site Undertaking the resource management and tracking of works on site to achieve the contract programme. Reporting on progress and developing corrective plans to stay on course Maintaining accurate records of works on site, incorporating any delas to progress or changes to scope and ensuring these are elevated to the Quantity Surveyor and Project Manager expediently. Manage the training and competency of operatives on site, both internal and external.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 Baseline Personnel Security Standard Check (BPSS) as well as Enhanced Level 1 for entry to a live prison which will be done 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