Bid management

Join Wates and help us win new business as part of our brilliant Bid team. It’s fast-paced, challenging, and rewarding — a place where your career can thrive.

THERE’S NO BETTER PLACE TO BUILD YOUR CAREER

Join a winning team…

Wates has just enjoyed one of our best years ever, and our Bid team played a key role in supporting that success.

It’s not just about writing bids. There are a huge range of roles from bid proposal managers to estimators, project management, graphic designers, building information modelling (BIM), 4d modellers and more. Once you’re here, you can also tap into opportunities across the group.

At Wates, we believe in actively identifying talent and nurturing it. We make sure everyone has opportunities to develop and take their career to the next level. If we think you’re 80% ready for that next step, and you’re up for the challenge, we’ll help you take it.

Image representing talent identification and nurturing: "Actively identifying and nurturing talent for career progression in bid management"

HELP YOUR CAREER TO THRIVE

About you…

Whether you’re an experienced bid writer, fancy a career change, or are returning to work after a break, we’d love to hear from you.

If you don’t have industry experience, don’t worry. In our bid team, we value a variety of transferable skills you may already possess, such as writing, attention to detail, project management, and relationship building.

That’s why our team includes people from diverse backgrounds, including law, education, and finance. What matters most to us is finding the right people with the right mindset to succeed.

CAREERS IN BID MANAGEMENT

Want to be a part of our team?

Estimator

Location: Cardiff

Job Type: Estimating

Application Deadline: 10-07-2025

Wates Residential are looking for a detail-driven and motivated Estimator to join our growing Residential business unit in Cardiff . This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with experience in the construction sector who is looking to develop their estimating skills in a supportive and fast-paced environment.This is a great opportunity to progress your career as part of a talented, diverse, and supportive team.ABOUT THE ROLEAs an Estimator, you will support the delivery of accurate and competitive bid costs for residential contracting and development projects. You’ll work closely with senior team members and collaborate with internal departments, suppliers, and subcontractors to ensure timely and effective bid submissions. You’ll also gain exposure to the full preconstruction process, including handovers and post-tender negotiations.As our Estimator you will: Review and log tender documents; distribute to internal teams. Prepare subcontractor and supplier packages; assist with pricing documents and bid submissions. Respond to supplier queries; support design reviews, value engineering, and client meetings. Contribute to post-tender negotiations and prepare handover packs for operational teams. Attend handover meetings; update supply chain data and support SHE policy implementation.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/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

Senior Estimator

Location: Finsbury Park

Job Type: Estimating

Application Deadline: 13-07-2025

Senior Estimator – London (Finsbury)As part of our strategic growth, we’re looking for a Senior Estimator to join our WPS team based in Finsbury, London. This is a high-impact role where you’ll lead the preparation of multi-million-pound tenders, helping us secure profitable work and shape the future of our Estimating function.You’ll be working at the heart of our WPS Housing Maintenance operations, with a strong focus on responsive repairs, voids maintenance, and compliance. Your understanding of commercial models such as Price per Property, Schedule of Rates, and Price per Repair will be key to developing competitive and efficient proposals.Key Responsibilities Interpret ITT documents to identify risks, opportunities, and submission requirements. Lead the preparation and submission of tenders, ensuring compliance with internal processes. Present commercial proposals at key tender meetings and engage with senior stakeholders across the business. Collaborate with Operational and Commercial leads to develop innovative delivery solutions. Determine the most cost-effective proposals using labour analysis, subcontractor quotations, and delivery models. Populate client pricing documents accurately and on time. Line manage and mentor a team of two Estimators.What We’re Looking ForYou’ll be a confident communicator and strategic thinker with a strong commercial mindset. Your CV should demonstrate: Proven experience in the housing maintenance sector, particularly in responsive and voids workstreams. A solid grasp of bid tactics and pricing strategies across various commercial models. The ability to lead, influence, and inspire a team.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.

Senior Estimator

Location: Finsbury Park

Job Type: Estimating

Application Deadline: 13-07-2025

Senior Estimator – London (Finsbury)As part of our strategic growth, we’re looking for a Senior Estimator to join our WPS team based in Finsbury, London. This is a high-impact role where you’ll lead the preparation of multi-million-pound tenders, helping us secure profitable work and shape the future of our Estimating function.You’ll be working at the heart of our WPS Housing Maintenance operations, with a strong focus on responsive repairs, voids maintenance, and compliance. Your understanding of commercial models such as Price per Property, Schedule of Rates, and Price per Repair will be key to developing competitive and efficient proposals.Key Responsibilities Interpret ITT documents to identify risks, opportunities, and submission requirements. Lead the preparation and submission of tenders, ensuring compliance with internal processes. Present commercial proposals at key tender meetings and engage with senior stakeholders across the business. Collaborate with Operational and Commercial leads to develop innovative delivery solutions. Determine the most cost-effective proposals using labour analysis, subcontractor quotations, and delivery models. Populate client pricing documents accurately and on time. Line manage and mentor a team of two Estimators.What We’re Looking ForYou’ll be a confident communicator and strategic thinker with a strong commercial mindset. Your CV should demonstrate: Proven experience in the housing maintenance sector, particularly in responsive and voids workstreams. A solid grasp of bid tactics and pricing strategies across various commercial models. The ability to lead, influence, and inspire a team.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.