Regional Social Value Manager

Shape a lasting legacy beyond construction

At Wates, social value is at the heart of everything we do. We are seeking a passionate and strategic Regional Social Value Manager to lead the delivery of our social value commitments on one of the UK's most significant custodial projects, HMP Gartree.

This is a unique opportunity to create meaningful, measurable impact across local communities, supporting employment, skills development, education, wellbeing, and community engagement initiatives while helping transform lives through one of the country's most important public sector investments.

As a key member of the project leadership team, you will work closely with operational, pre-construction, supply chain and customer teams to ensure social value is embedded throughout the project lifecycle and that we exceed our contractual commitments.

What you'll be doing

• Leading the development and delivery of the social value strategy for the Gartree Prison project.
• Creating and implementing project-specific social value plans aligned to client and business objectives.
• Managing and reporting against social value KPIs, TOMs and contractual requirements.
• Building strong relationships with local authorities, education providers, charities, community groups, social enterprises and employment agencies.
• Supporting work-winning activity through the development of compelling social value proposals and case studies.
• Working with project teams and supply chain partners to maximise employment, training, apprenticeship and community engagement opportunities.
• Producing accurate performance reports and impact evidence for clients, frameworks and internal stakeholders.
• Championing social value best practice across the project and wider region.
• Supporting communications and PR activity that showcases the positive impact being delivered.

What we're looking for

• Experience delivering social value, community engagement, ESG, sustainability or social impact programmes within construction, infrastructure or the public sector.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• Experience monitoring and reporting against social value targets and outcomes.
• Excellent presentation, communication and influencing skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with clients, project teams and external partners.
• Strong organisational and project management capability.
• Knowledge of social value frameworks including TOMs, the Social Value Act or similar measurement methodologies.
• A passion for creating meaningful opportunities and lasting community impact.

Why join Wates?

At Wates, you'll be part of a business committed to creating places, opportunities and communities that thrive. You'll have the opportunity to influence one of our flagship projects while working alongside talented colleagues who share a genuine commitment to making a positive difference.

Together, we'll create a lasting legacy that extends far beyond the construction programme itself.

Our commitments:  

Wates is proud to be an employer where anyone can thrive, and we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.  We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every requirement, as we value transferable skills and assess all applications fairly.

We don't discriminate based on a criminal record; all applications are reviewed on an individual basis against the requirements of the role. Some roles may require additional checks, due to the nature of the work.  As a Disability Confident Leader, we offer an interview to applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the role and opt in to the Disability Confident scheme.  Reasonable adjustments are available, please contact us at recruitment@wates.co.uk