The hiring process


Our recruitment process has several stages, including initial screenings, interviews, and skills assessments. This is so we can evaluate each applicant’s qualifications and fit with our company culture in a fair and transparent way. We promise all our applicants a positive experience throughout, reflecting our supportive and inclusive work environment.

Image representing employee recognition and care: "We value and care for our people with great pay and flexible benefits"

Our hiring process

Your recruitment journey with us

There is a huge range of jobs at Wates. See and apply for job opportunities.

  • To apply for a job, complete an application and submit your CV online. Instructions on how to apply are provided for each vacancy.  
  • We’ve designed our online application forms to be accessible and can provide alternative formats upon request.
  • The recruitment team will review your application against the job criteria and share a shortlist with the hiring manager.

You can apply for an early careers programme here.

Application: Our online application forms are designed to be accessible, and we can provide alternative formats upon request.

Interview: We are dedicated to making reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. If you require any adjustments, please inform our recruitment team in advance and we will work with you to ensure a smooth process.

Outcome: Offer details will include salary and benefits to be offered, however, any offer of employment would be conditional on you providing satisfactory evidence to us that you have the right to work in the UK.

Onboarding: Our onboarding process is designed to be flexible, ensuring a smooth transition for all new team members.
a man smiling because Wates is Disability Confident

Reasonable adjustments

Some candidates may need us to adjust the recruitment process due to a disability. This helps ensure that we are fair and consistent and that everyone has the chance to do well.

You can tell us if you require reasonable adjustments when you apply.

Search our latest jobs today

Site Manager

Location: Thetford

Job Type: Operational

Application Deadline: 22-12-2025

Wates are looking for a Site Manager to join our Construction team, focussing on high profile, technically complex projects across multiple sectors.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/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 Standard 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

Project Manager

Location: Daventry

Job Type: Operational

Application Deadline: 08-12-2025

Are you an experienced Project Manager with a background in Decent Homes and Planned Works? We’re looking for a confident leader to oversee a major social housing programme, ensuring quality delivery and team performance across multiple sites.🏗️ Key Responsibilities: Oversee the delivery of planned works within social housing stock Lead and manage a team of 6–7 direct employees, ensuring high performance and accountability Manage a £6 million per annum account, ensuring budget control and value for money Liaise with clients, residents, and internal teams to ensure smooth project execution Monitor progress, quality, and compliance with Decent Homes standards Report on KPIs, risks, and milestones to senior stakeholders✅ Requirements: Proven experience in managing social housing projects, ideally within Decent Homes frameworks Strong leadership and team management skills Financial acumen with experience managing multi-million-pound budgets Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities Local knowledge of Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, or Milton Keynes is highly desirableGiven 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 Design Manager

Location: Manchester

Job Type: Design

Application Deadline: 19-12-2025

WPS are looking for a highly skilled Senior Design Manager to lead the delivery of planned maintenance and refurbishment programmes within high-rise buildings, as well as retrofit projects across the North West. This role is ideal for someone with a strong technical background and leadership experience in managing complex design challenges in occupied homes, including higher-risk buildings.Key Responsibilities Lead design teams through all RIBA stages, ensuring compliance with Building Safety Act and Building Safety Regulator Gateway process. Manage design risk and assurance processes, particularly for Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs). Oversee BIM Level 2 and digital design coordination. Deliver retrofit schemes that meet energy efficiency and sustainability goals. Maintain the golden thread of information throughout the project lifecycle. Collaborate with stakeholders on occupied building works and planned maintenance schemes.Qualifications Degree in Architecture, Engineering, or Construction Management. Strong understanding of HRB design compliance, fire safety, and structural integrity. Proficient in BIM Level 2 and digital design tools.Skills Proven leadership in managing design risk for HRBs. Expertise in RIBA stage management and regulatory compliance. Familiarity with retrofit design principles, energy efficiency, and sustainability. Excellent problem-solving, coordination, and communication skills.Experience Leading design teams on complex refurbishment and retrofit projects. Experience in planned maintenance schemes and occupied building works. Managing design assurance and maintaining the golden thread of project information. 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

Temporary Works Site Advisor

Location: London

Job Type: Operational

Application Deadline: 19-12-2025

Are you passionate about making construction safer, smarter and more compliant? We’re on the lookout for a proactive and knowledgeable Temporary Works Advisor to join our team and support sites across the Southern region.This is a brilliant opportunity to play a key role in ensuring our temporary works processes are not only followed, but continuously improved. You’ll be the go-to person for site teams, helping them navigate procedures, audits, and best practice with confidence.ABOUT THE ROLEOur Temporary Works Advisors are a vital part of our delivery teams. You’ll bring foresight and best practice to every site you support, helping teams navigate complex procedures while maintaining high standards of safety and buildability. Alongside this, you’ll play a key role in developing and mentoring others, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaborative working across our projects.As our Temporary Works Advisor you will be: Carrying out weekly site inspections and compliance audits, using our standardised reporting templates. Supporting preconstruction planning by ensuring TW toolkits and registers are in place and appointments made before work begins. Providing on-site guidance and training to PCTWCs and TWSs to help them meet compliance standards. Championing health & safety and collaborating with our SHE team to share knowledge and drive improvements. Helping us digitally integrate our TW procedures into new systems for smarter working. Feeding back insights and lessons learned to improve our TW processes across the board.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 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