Graduate Site Management

The Vacancy

As a Site Management Trainee at Wates, you’ll be at the very heart of our business and play a vital role in ensuring that projects are delivered safely, on time and of course on budget. You’ll oversee various subcontractors and operative activities working across several workstreams within our business.

What you will do

Over the course of the programme, you will:

• Promote and uphold Wates’ reputation for providing the highest standards of site safety, health and welfare and the leading voice in the protection of the environment.
• Work with our supply chain and surveyors to protect Wates’ commercial position.
• Develop strong working relationships with our clients, design team and supply chain by promoting best practice throughout the lifecycle of the construction process.
• Contribute your knowledge and skills to the delivery of the project on time, on budget to the required quality.
• Develop an understanding of technical practices and sequences on projects.
• Gain ongoing knowledge of and implementation of cutting-edge construction software and technology. 

About you 

To be successful on the programme you’ll:

• Be passionate about a career in the built environment.
• Be excited to learn and develop new skills.
• Have a curious nature.
• Be reliable and professional.
• Be a problem solver with the ability to think logically.
• Possess good time management skills.
• Prioritise your work to meet agreed deadlines.

Eligibility criteria

To be considered for this opportunity, you must:

• Be on track to graduate in 2026 or earlier with a degree in any discipline.
• Be working towards or have achieved a minimum 2:2 classification.
• Hold a full UK driving licence – location specific (details below).

Locations 

• Leeds: While a driving licence isn’t required at application stage, some travel outside Leeds is expected. Therefore, a full UK driving licence is preferred, or a willingness to obtain one during the programme.
• Luton and Central London: Full UK driving licence required as you will be expected to travel to different projects spread around the country.

Programme duration

This is a 2-year graduate programme offering hands-on experience, structured development, and placements across different teams. 

What’s in it for you?

Our Trainee Management Programme offers placement opportunities across various departments, technical and behavioural development, including support through relevant qualifications and a host of additional benefits. We provide the foundation skills, knowledge and experience you’ll need to build a long-term, successful career.

In addition, we offer:

• Mentoring, support, and training by industry experts.
• Structured learning plan (a combination of technical and behavioural development).
• Competitive salary.
• Private medical insurance.
• Car allowance / company car scheme.
• Health & wellness programme.
• 26 days holiday + bank holidays.
• For cognate degree trainees: Opportunity to work towards chartered status with a recognised professional body. 
• For non-cognate degree trainees: Completion of a construction related Level 4 qualification.

We have nearly 200 talented Trainees currently completing our Trainee Management Programme, providing amazing opportunities to build a network, collaborate and share learning with your peers. Kickstart your journey and apply now!

We value authenticity and encourage you to complete your application without the use of AI tools. This helps us gain a genuine understanding of your individual strengths, experiences, and potential.

Applications for this role close at midday on Tuesday 25 November 2025.

This date may be brought forward or extended in line with the number of applications we receive. We’re only able to accept the first application we receive. Any additional applications will be automatically withdrawn.

Work for Wates

Wates is one of the UK’s leading family-owned development, building and property maintenance companies.  Founded over 125 years ago, we have a proud legacy in the built environment.

We are driven by our purpose, ‘reimagining places for people to thrive’ and our three promises:

• Thriving places – working with customers, partners and communities to create places that are more sustainable, inclusive, and full of opportunity.
• Thriving planet – protecting nature and taking action on climate change by collaborating and innovating with our partners.
• Thriving people – creating opportunities and relationships so that everyone who works for and with us feels included, invested in and treated with care.

We are proud to be recognised as Gold Investors in People and as a Disability Confident employer.  We also ensure that our recruitment processes do not treat anyone less favourably due to an offending background.