Planned & Responsive maintenance

We’re the number one provider of planned and responsive maintenance services in the UK social housing sector. Our reputation for customer service is second to none.

Career opportunities in property services

BUILDING A THRIVING CAREER

Join our family…

At Wates, people always come first. You’ll be part of a brilliant team, in a successful company with a proven track record.  We’ve been operating for over 125 years and have the values and ethos of the Wates family behind us. Join us and we’ll make sure you – and your career – thrive.

Our work covers responsive repairs, voids, healthy homes and planned maintenance in social housing, for both housing associations and local authorities. We also run facilities management services across the UK for private and public sector clients.

We offer a huge range of opportunities, from trades to employees. For example, a Scheduler, Admin, Supervisor, Operations Manager, Divisional Director. There are also supporting roles like HR Advisor, Business Partners, Safety Team, Commercial team, Finance team, and our IT team.

At Wates, we value our employees. We also believe in ‘growing our own’. That means we’ll give you every opportunity to take that next step on the ladder. You’ll find no better place to build your career.

Join our property services team

YOU’LL THRIVE AT WATES

Who we’re looking for…

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

We’re looking to recruit people with a ‘can do’ attitude, who are reliable and genuine team players. Someone who has an honest, thorough, and flexible approach to work. When it comes to transferable skills, problem solving, and commercial awareness would be useful. You should also understand reports, both reading and putting them together.

Risk management is another key area, and an ability to work independently and manage your own time. Good timekeeping is vital, as is an open and positive attitude. You should be able to quickly identify issues, ask for support when needed, and work together as a team to fix them.  

TESTIMONIALS

Hear from our people

Emma Carter

Project Manager

"I joined Wates in 2014 as part of an acquisition and really wasn’t sure what to expect. From day one I felt supported and encouraged to develop my career within the Repairs and Maintenance business. I have had opportunities to mobilise new contracts, taken a role as Contracts Manager on one of these contract-wins, and progressed to the position of Customer Service Manager for a Responsive Maintenance Division in the Midlands. I continue to develop my skills and grow within my career. Recently I started a new role as a Mobilisation Project Manager and have been able to expand my knowledge even further working within our FM business. Wates has always recognised my abilities, determination, and passion to succeed, and continues to support my aspirations and career development.”

CAREERS IN MAINTENANCE

Want to be a part of our team?

Plumber

Location: Redditch

Job Type: Trades and Labour

Application Deadline: 22-05-2025

Here at Wates we have an opportunity for a Plumber to join our team within our Responsive Maintenance division. You will be working out of our Redditch office on one of our long standing social housing contracts, delivering reactive maintenance to our residents.Due to the nature of this role we need you to have a full driving license and be educated to a minimum NVQ Level 2 in plumbing  Key Accountabilities will include: Having an understanding of, and the ability to work to, industry-accepted Health and Safety standards. Undertaking repair/renewal works to plumbing installations, and associated or minor maintenance tasks utilising your multi-trade experience. Working alongside colleagues or contractors to complete complex orders. Using PDA to receive instructions, and to feedback electronically details of works undertaken, or works to be undertaken. Liaising with Supervisors/schedulers in a timely manner when works are unable to be completed on a first visit, providing detailed information to allow works to be programmed in. Affording excellent customer service to residents, client and colleagues. We are looking for a professional Plumber who has multi-trade experience gained from working in a similar industry and environment. 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. 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

Supervisor

Location: Finsbury Park

Job Type: Trades and Labour

Application Deadline: 22-05-2025

Here at Wates we have an opportunity for a Responsive Repairs Supervisor to join the team within our Responsive Maintenance division on on of our largest social housing contracts. You will be working out of our Finsbury Park and Ealing offices so being flexible re travel is key. The role includes management of approx 12 operatives at a time on our Day to Day workstream however we are also looking for the right Supervisor to get stuck in with the day job when needed. 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 serviceKey Requirements: You must have a full UK driving licence, SSSTS qualification and ideally come from a multiskilled trade background.SMSTS and Asbestos Awareness would be advantageous too 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

Site Surveyor

Location: Finsbury Park

Job Type: Trades and Labour

Application Deadline: 31-05-2025

Wates have an opportunity for a Site Surveyor to join our Wates team within our Reactive Division. You will be working out of our Finsbury office on one of our contracts. The focus of this role will be to produce the commercial outputs and effectively monitor/exercise cost control, as well as to liaise with client representative/s to ensure compliance with contractual service standards, to ensure the company operates efficiently and profitably.Key Accountabilities will include: Develop and encourage project team performance encouraging and ensuring that Wates’ main contractual obligations and or strategies are executed and regularly reviewed Complete and submit monthly Cost Value Reconciliations (CVR) and progress reports Demonstrate understanding of internal and external tender strategies / build up and work to the profit plan Agree external valuations / cash flow to maximise project value Work with the Commercial Manager to agree and produce main and subcontract final accounts Ensure all Wates subcontract management / process obligations are complete with particular reference to Procurement, Measurement and valuation, Contractual instructions / notices / orders as well as Health and SafetyWe are looking for someone with financial and commercial awareness with a clear commitment to a customer-centres service.To be successful in the role you will already have relevant commercial skills and experience including the ability to maximise value recovery, cost control and cash management as well as effectively use / understand financial reports and software.Alongside this you will be a confident communicator, able to demonstrate the ability to form and develop relationships with the client, Project Surveyors, internal team and supply chain. The role would be based between office and site, with some home working.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

Supervisor

Location: Ealing

Job Type: Trades and Labour

Application Deadline: 06-06-2025

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