Convert your career
We’re proud to be a sponsor of the Premiership Women’s Rugby. Are you looking for your next career move? Find out what it’s like to work for Wates.
We’re proud to be a sponsor of the Premiership Women’s Rugby. Are you looking for your next career move? Find out what it’s like to work for Wates.
Women are heavily under-represented in construction and for more than a century that was the case in rugby union. But in recent years with the explosion in the number of women playing the game and the establishment of PWR that balance is changing.
Together, both Wates and PWR are driving a powerful change, with the shared goal of redefining what inclusion and equal opportunity looks like in both industries.
Through this wonderful partnership, we are strengthening our commitment to breaking down barriers for women on and off the field.
By working together with Premiership Women’s Rugby, we’re tackling misconceptions about women’s roles in both industries.
Also, discover Emily Robinson’s incredible journey into the industry, and how she’s breaking barriers in rugby and construction to inspire people to follow in her footsteps.
WHY WAIT? JOIN WATES
Our industry can help people achieve their potential, improve health and wellbeing, and shape a better future. It can change lives and strengthen communities in ways few other sectors can.
At Wates, we’re dedicated to providing opportunities for professionals like you to thrive and grow. Join our talent community today to receive the latest job openings, company news, and industry insights directly to your inbox.
Stay ahead of the curve and never miss out on exciting opportunities.
EXPLORE OUR JOB VACANCIES
To ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive, our culture is founded on the following principles:
Fair treatment: We ensure that everyone is treated with fairness and respect. If an employee isn’t treated fairly, they know that they can speak up, and be listened to, and appropriate action will be taken. At Wates, everyone is empowered and has a voice at all levels of the organisation.
Fair opportunities: Whatever role you’re in, or part of your company, you can build a great career here at Wates. Everyone has fair access to development and progression opportunities.
Fair hiring: We aim to hire the best person for the job from a diverse pool of candidates. We actively challenge perceptions that might discourage people from joining this rewarding, challenging and interesting sector.
REVIEW STORIES FROM OUR EMPLOYEES
Head of Health and Wellbeing
"I joined Wates in 2003 with no industry experience and have since worked with supportive colleagues and managers who helped me reach my potential. The opportunities for growth, change, and promotion have been immense, allowing me to utilise my skills and build invaluable connections. Reflecting on my varied and dynamic career, I would choose Wates all over again without hesitation."
Planning Management Trainee
"During my two years as a Planner Trainee at Wates, I've gained invaluable insights across departments like Production, Commercial, Design, SHE, M&E, and Bid Management. Learning directly from seasoned professionals on-site was crucial in transforming me from a novice to a proficient planner. This experience equipped me with technical skills and a deep appreciation for the collaborative effort in construction. Wates provided a solid foundation for my career, and I'm grateful for the opportunity."
Strategy & Integration Lead
"I joined Wates over 10 years ago, starting my transformative career journey. Collaborating with diverse talent, I've enhanced my skills and driven business performance. With a growth mindset, I advanced to Strategy & Integration Lead for SES. I'm also involved in initiatives like the Wates Women’s & Allies Network and mentoring SMEs, showcasing the Group's supportive environment."
Social Value Manager
"Since joining Wates as a Social Value Manager in June 2023, I've been part of an inspiring team of social value professionals. My role involves developing programs that enable individuals facing barriers to employment to join us and our supply chain network. This work is vital at Wates, reflecting our commitment to sustainable opportunities, talent development, and collaboration. I'm privileged and thrilled to work with such brilliant colleagues every day."
Principal Technical Manager
"2024 marks my 20-year milestone in the industry, with 10 of those years spent at Wates/SES. I'm proud of this journey, which reflects a great working environment, company loyalty, and job satisfaction. Wates/SES has entrusted me with opportunities and responsibilities, supported by formal accreditations and chartership, accelerating my growth and professional standing. A ‘typical day’ is never typical—there's always something challenging happening!"
Head of Digital Construction & Engineering
"Since joining Wates Group, I've worked with diverse and collaborative teams that consistently deliver high performance. Wates has supported my career progression through on-the-job development and learning opportunities, nurturing my leadership skills for a successful and meaningful career."
Careers at Wates
Divisional Commercial Manager
Location: Finsbury Park
Job Type: Operational
Application Deadline: 31-07-2025
📢 We're Hiring: Divisional Commercial ManagerLocation: Various sites across the West and East Midlands, with key offices in Redditch, Tamworth, and WalsallBusiness Unit: WPSAre you a commercially driven leader with a passion for delivering high-quality housing solutions? We’re looking for a Divisional Commercial Manager to join our WPS Business, overseeing a diverse portfolio of contracts across Planned Works, High-Rise Refurbishments, and Decarbonisation/Net Zero Retrofit projects.This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership in driving commercial performance and strategic growth across a range of long- and short-term contracts.🔧 What You’ll Be Doing: Leading the commercial strategy across multiple social housing contracts, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to the highest standards. Managing project P&L, forecasts, valuations, and reporting to ensure financial targets are met or exceeded. Collaborating with operational teams to optimise contract performance and client satisfaction. Supporting contract mobilisation, implementation, and continuous improvement. Driving innovation and identifying new opportunities for growth and efficiency.✅ What We’re Looking For: Proven experience in commercial management within the social housing, construction, or maintenance sector. Strong financial and commercial acumen, with a track record of delivering profitable outcomes. Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills. Experience working across varied contract types and durations.🎓 Ideal Qualifications: Degree in Quantity Surveying or equivalent. RICS accreditation (preferred).If you're ready to lead with impact and help shape the future of social housing delivery, we’d love to hear from you.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 Interested?Once you apply a member of the Recruitment Team will be in touch to guide you through the next steps.
Divisional Commercial Manager
Location: Finsbury Park
Job Type: Operational
Application Deadline: 31-07-2025
📢 We're Hiring: Divisional Commercial ManagerLocation: Primarily West Midlands, with a key hub in WolverhamptonBusiness Unit: WPSAre you a commercially driven leader with a passion for delivering high-quality housing solutions? We’re looking for a Divisional Commercial Manager to join our WPS Business, overseeing a diverse portfolio of contracts across Planned Works, High-Rise Refurbishments, and Decarbonisation/Net Zero Retrofit projects.This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership in driving commercial performance and strategic growth across a range of long- and short-term contracts.🔧 What You’ll Be Doing: Leading the commercial strategy across multiple social housing contracts, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to the highest standards. Managing project P&L, forecasts, valuations, and reporting to ensure financial targets are met or exceeded. Collaborating with operational teams to optimise contract performance and client satisfaction. Supporting contract mobilisation, implementation, and continuous improvement. Driving innovation and identifying new opportunities for growth and efficiency.✅ What We’re Looking For: Proven experience in commercial management within the social housing, construction, or maintenance sector. Strong financial and commercial acumen, with a track record of delivering profitable outcomes. Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills. Experience working across varied contract types and durations.🎓 Ideal Qualifications: Degree in Quantity Surveying or equivalent. RICS accreditation (preferred).If you're ready to lead with impact and help shape the future of social housing delivery, we’d love to hear from you.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 Interested?Once you apply a member of the Recruitment Team will be in touch to guide you through the next steps.
Scheduler
Location: Milton Keynes
Job Type: Customer Service
Application Deadline: 31-07-2025
Are you organised and great with people? Love being busy and process driven? If so then I have your next role right here:We`re on the look out for a scheduler to join us on a FIXED TERM 12 MONTH MATERNITY COVER contract within our scheduling team in the Milton Keynes area. You will be part of the Wates Living Space Responsive team allocating works to several operative’s daily, ensuring productivity and providing a good customer service to our client and residents. This is an office-based role so ideally you will be commutable to Milton Keynes Key Accountabilities will include: Schedule works into diaries for up to 20 operatives daily ensuring diaries are full and immediate attention is given to allocate work to operatives when they become free. Check the system for emergencies and manage within a timely manner to ensure targets are meet Respond to telephone variations by seeking approval from duty surveyor so operatives may continue the site through to completion Arrange inspections for supervisors Provide a high-quality service to our client on a face-to-face basis Working within a team to achieve goals and targets achieving daily targets of a minimum of 60 allocations each day of new orders We are looking for you to have relevant experience gained from working in a similar industry and environment ie planning, scheduling, logistics. Construction/property services would be ideal but not a must. To be successful in the role you 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 .
Site Manager
Location: Newmarket
Job Type: Operational
Application Deadline: 31-07-2025
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.