Convert your career
Are you an experienced professional looking for your next career move?
Are you an experienced professional looking for your next career move?
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.
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 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 being treated fairly, they know that they can speak up, 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 the company you work for, you’ll be able to 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 are actively challenging 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
Administrator – Fixed Term Contract
Location: London NW1
Job Type: Clerical & Administration
Application Deadline: 03-01-2025
Wates are looking for a Built Asset Security Manager / Senior Administrator to join our construction team in London on a 6 month Fixed Term Contract.If you are an experienced Administrator / Compliance Administrator 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 Built Asset Security Managers are a valuable part of our business, the focus of this role will be to support the project teams and supply chain to ensure that all security vetting is carried out in a timely manner to adhere to client protocols and to ensure that all relevant security passes are obtained and tracked.As our Built Asset Security Manager you will: Ensure Subcontract security compliance and that all subcontractors have their security vetting obtain before commencing any works on site. Produce and oversee the security induction process. Ensure subcontractor orders have the necessary step-down security requirements. Deal with any security incidents on site with the Construction Incident Manager periodically. Prepare and manage audits with WATES and Client team monthly.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/ Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo an Enhanced and Barred Lists 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
Bid Manager
Location: Warrington
Job Type: Bid
Application Deadline: 05-01-2025
We have an opportunity for an experienced Bid Manager to join our Smartspace team in one of our office in Warrington. The focus of this role will be to manage the project bids process to ensure that a considered and co-ordinated bid can be presented for adjudication; as well as to manage the second stage of the bid. We are looking for this role to primarily support in the areas of commercial, residential and refurbishment.Key accountabilities of this role will include: Lead in new bids from concept through to fruition ensuring our offers are clearly articulated, cost estimate is adjudicated and signed off and final submissions are reviewed Produce a bid strategy and brief tender team Ensure correct selection of subcontractors and suppliers for key packages and organise distribution of tender documents/amendments for appropriate parties Develop presentations to potential clients using graphic design skills and utilise external graphic designers and printers Responsibility for the quality of all aspects of the bid, including written documentation and presentations, ensuring that written work is clear, concise, and compelling Attend hand-over meeting briefing the team on tender bids.We are looking for a knowledgeable Bid Manager within demonstrable experience gained within the fit out and refurbishment / or similar industry having successfully managed bids from start to finish.To be successful in this role you will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, be highly organised and have good team management skills.
Building Services Manager
Location: London NW1
Job Type: Operational
Application Deadline: 05-01-2025
Are you a detail-oriented and proactive Building Services Manager with a passion for delivering exceptional projects?Wates Smartspace is offering an exciting opportunity to join our team in either Warrington or London, where you’ll play a key role in the successful delivery of mechanical and electrical projects within the fast-paced Cat A & Cat B fit-out sector.As our Building Services Manager, you will: Assist the Bid Team to manage the production of the Contractors Proposals, ensuring they are complete, unambiguous, have been reviewed by the bid team, and have been updated to include all post tender negotiations. Review the design information, raise RFI’s and discuss with the suppliers and get into the detail of the design release programme including coordination and manage that in a week by week basis. Manage the services issues on site with the assistance of other site-based resource by implementing the management procedures to ensure the timely production of information is issued, within budget, fully coordinated and buildable. Ensure the services design has been reviewed on all projects with respect to mitigating Health and Safety issues prior to construction and ensure that hazards are noted on all drawings at each stage of their production. Understand the commissioning requirements and plans the detail of how that will be managed with the subcontractor and takes an interest in and leads on the subcontractors QA process. WHAT WE OFFER Competitive salary & bonus Flexible working Car Allowance / Company Car 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 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
Estimator
Location: Warrington
Job Type: Estimating
Application Deadline: 05-01-2025
Wates Smartspace is a national business, delivering high-quality fit-out, refurbishment and property upkeep projects, enhancing its customers’ physical assets and operating environments.As part of our growth, we are looking for an Estimator to join the team based out of our regional office in Warrington. Reporting into the Bid Centre Director your main responsibility will be to provide bid costs on a value or complexity for Refurbishment and Fit-Out projects for Business Unit Adjudications ensuring a competitive net bid.A bit about you:You will be responsible for cost and pricing management and have knowledge of sub-contractors and suppliers in the area. Also supporting quote preparation and submissions to deadlines, and feed into risk assessments and identify cost saving opportunities delivering of Operational Excellence. Attend tender launch meeting, provide overview of pricing model and documents required to be returned as part of the tender. Benchmarking of key elements of the tender against current costs on site through liaison with commercial teams and Previous Tenders Attend Adjudication Meeting and present net tender and commercial angles. Capture tender adjudication meeting discussions and actions on the tender book settlement notes. Produce final pricing documents ready for submission post adjudication Prepare information packages for handover to construction team, if successful. Undertake project debrief and attend first contract review meetings, eliciting feedback from sites, to improve construction and future tendersWhat we offer : Competitive salary & Profit Share Car Allowance / Car Scheme Flexible working 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 + your Birthday off + 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 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