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.
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 the company you work for, 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
HR Business Partner
Location: Birmingham
Job Type: HR
Application Deadline: 04-04-2025
SES are currently looking for a HR Partner to join our central region. As an HR Business Partner within our SES team, you will play a critical role in ensuring people strategies are effectively delivered within your designated business unit. Your primary focus will be on managing people risks, ensuring the consistent application of policies and processes, and contributing to projects that span across the entire Construction Group. Together we inspire better ways of creating the places, communities and businesses of tomorrow. This is our purpose, and we will only achieve our strategic objectives if we recruit and retain the best people, operating in an environment underpinned by inclusivity, diversity and opportunity. Being part of our team as a HR Business Partner, you will play a pivotal role in planning and leading the process and activities to ensure that the Talent objectives are delivered and the KPI of talent retention is met. This role requires the confidence and integrity to support business partners and where required hold them to account to ensure the consistent application of our company processes and that we are managing people the right way. There will be a requirement to develop an excellent understanding of the business needs through strong interaction with the business. We are looking for someone who has experience of working in a complex and demanding environment and can challenge the status quo and drive change in a constructive and pragmatic manner. Ideally you will bring your experience of creating an inclusive workplace and demonstrating how feedback from employee surveys has been used to drive action plans to increase engagement. Alongside this, you will be organised, an excellent communicator capable of building relationships across the business and operate fairly and consistently. If you require any reasonable adjustments during any part of the application process, please contact us at the following email address recruitment@wates.co.uk and one of the team will get in touch to discuss how we can support. WHAT 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, generous employers’ pension 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. SES are committed to the fair treatment of people with criminal records, including employees and potential employees. We ensure that our recruitment, promotion, and retention activity does not treat people less favourably because of an offending background. Basic Check: 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 To find out more about LIFE AT SES Engineering Services please click on the following link https://www.ses-ltd.co.uk/careers/working-at-ses/
Commercial Manager
Location: Finsbury Park
Job Type: Commercial
Application Deadline: 03-04-2025
We have an opportunity for a Commercial Manager to join our Wates team within our Responsive Maintenance division covering various contracts. The successful candidate will provide strong functional leadership, management, governance and excellence for all commercial activities pre and post contract across a portfolio of programmes. The role specifically covers both work winning and the operational delivery of projects.Key Accountabilities will include: Budget responsibility, commercial management and client commercial liaison for applicable contract(s) Manage and oversee Assistant / Quantity Surveyors in all line-manager duties. Manage Cost Value Reconciliation (CVR) process for your contract(s) to be review and signed off by RCM in accordance with CVR timetable. Lead commercially in the monthly Contract Review Meetings (CRM’s) with Operations Manager. Assist Senior Management in tender adjudication. Liaise with buying department to ensure that relevant material prices are procured.We are looking for a proactive and experienced Commercial Manager who has worked in a similar maintenance industry.To be successful in this role you will have the ability to lead and develop a highly talented and motivated commercial team as well as build excellent relationships with other business functions, customers, consultants and the supply chain.
Contract Supervisor
Location: Finsbury Park
Job Type: Trades and Labour
Application Deadline: 03-04-2025
We have an opportunity for a Contracts Supervisor to join our Wates team within our Responsive Maintenance division. You will be working out of our Hammersmith office on one of our social housing contracts, delivering reactive 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 serviceTo be successful in the role you must 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.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
Gas Engineer
Location: Barnsley
Job Type: Operational
Application Deadline: 03-04-2025
Here at Wates we have an exciting opportunity for a Gas Engineer to join our Living Space team in the Barnsley area.The primary focus of this role will be to undertake all tasks to achieve annual gas servicing (for our clients), repairs and maintenance and installation work delivering a high standard of workmanship in a timely and productive manner affording excellent customer service to the client at all times.Key Accountabilities will include: Completing domestic gas servicing, repairs and maintenance and installation work to a high standard adhering to gas safety regulations. Advising Supervisor in a timely manner where other trades are required for follow on work. Being able to work as a team when its required and all so have the confidence to work alone. Being able to use a PDA to receive and complete jobs allocated. Working in a timely and productive manner to complete jobs allocated. Being flexible and able to adjust to the business needs when required. Being able to take part in the out of hour call out service . Affording excellent customer service to client/customers. At all times, work to Wates Health & Safety Professional Standards, including commitment to and understanding of the company’s safeguarding policy towards children and vulnerable adults.We are looking for you to already have an NVQ Level 2-3 or a City and Guilds (Mechanical Discipline) or recognised equivalent/experience gained.The following qualifications are required CCN1,CENWAT,HTR1,CKR1. You will have experience in completing gas servicing, repairs and maintenance and installation work to a high standard adhering to gas safety regulations. A willingness to undertake extra training to evolve as an engineer particularly renewable technology’s like air source heat pumps. Wates are committed to the fair treatment of people with criminal records, including employees and potential employees. We ensure that our recruitment, promotion, and retention activity does not treat people less favourably because of an offending background. 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