Construction

We are a major construction contractor working across the public and private sector

Passionate about building a better tomorrow for everybody.

As a family business operating for more than 125 years, our experience is unrivalled, whether it’s building homes, workplaces, schools, hospitals or sports centres. We work as a major contractor across the UK with both public and private sector customers, to create buildings with real impact.

£48.3m

average project value (2023)

19,000 +

working hours saved using modern methods of construction

82

projects under construction

Working in both public and private sectors

Our approach

Supporting society

We take our role in society very seriously and strive to help enrich the communities we work in, by generating social value across all our activities.

This includes programmes such as educating young people about careers in the built environment, or mentoring small businesses and entrepreneurs as well as contributing to local charities and good causes.

Optimised construction

Construction isn’t just about the materials we use, it’s also about exploiting modern techniques to give our customers the best experience.

Using optimised construction, we can improve efficiency, provide better value for money and save you time. More importantly this approach helps to create a safer working environment for everyone.

Sustainable supply chains

Having sustainable supply chains is more important than ever. We are not just committed to our own sustainability journey but also to helping our suppliers meet their own environmental targets.

We are focused on reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions from the materials we use such as concrete and steel. We also work closely with our suppliers to adopt low and zero carbon alternatives to the products we use.

From commercial to retail, hospitality to healthcare, our projects speak for themselves.

Sandwell Aquatics Centre

Sandwell Aquatics Centre, Smethwick

Delivering a world class sporting venue and a community legacy. Sandwell Aquatics Centre has been built to host one of the largest international sporting events of 2022.

Sport and Leisure
We collaborate with our customers, working on sustainable, innovative designs that transform retail spaces

Marks & Spencer stores fit out

We have been working for Marks & Spencer (M&S) for over 20 years, delivering over 1,000 store refurbishment and fit out projects across the M&S full range of stores, including clothing & home and foodhalls.

Retail and the high street
Oxford university life and mind building

Life and Mind Building – University of Oxford

The Life & Mind building will be the ‘largest building project ever undertaken’ by the University of Oxford.

Science and Technology
Wellington Place high quality commercial office development in Leeds

11 and 12 Wellington Place, Leeds

The intention for 11 & 12 Wellington Place was to create two landmark buildings in the heart of Leeds City Centre.

Commercial
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CAREERS IN CONSTRUCTION AT WATES

Want to be part of our team?

Project Engineer

Location: York

Job Type: Engineering

Application Deadline: 06-06-2024

Wates are looking for a Site Engineer to join our Construction North East team focussing on high profile, technically complex projects across multiple sectors.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 Engineers are a valuable part of our business, ensuring accuracy of works, components fit and quality control as well as communication of technical information for projects in the Yorkshire region. Our Site Engineers work collaboratively with our site teams to ensure the completion of the project to the highest standard.As our Site Engineer you will: Provide base lines, grid lines and datum levels for controlling the setting out of the works Read, interpret and understand drawings to co-ordinate builders work details Take concrete cube samples, mortar cube samples and slump tests and organise the testing and distribution of the results internally and to the Structural Engineer Supervise the work in progress and check operations comply with the working drawings and specificationsWHAT 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, 8 weeks fully paid paternity. To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/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.

Senior Quantity Surveyor

Location: London NW1

Job Type: Commercial

Application Deadline: 05-06-2024

Wates are looking for a Project Surveyor to join our construction team in London focussing on high profile, technically complex projects across multiple sectors.If you are passionate about the commercial aspects of Construction and are 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 Project Surveyors are a valuable part of our business, where they lead the team on a project or cluster of packages having full accountability for the development and implementation of all pre and post contract strategies, commercial functions and contract reporting. Project Surveyors take the lead; working collaboratively with our customers and industry specialists with a firm focus on added value, compliance, commercial viability, and best practice.As our Project Surveyor you will: Manage the project commercial team ensuring all Wates Main Contract obligations are met and process obligations are complete with particular reference to Procurement, Sub-contract orders, Managing Supply Chain, Measurements and Valuations, Contractual Notices and Valuing Change Complete and submit Monthly Cost Reports, Procurement Strategy Updates and Internal/External Progress Reports alongside developing and implementing internal and external tender stage and delivery strategies Agree external valuations upstream/downstream to maintain a positive project cashflow and produce and agree main and subcontract final accounts 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, 8 weeks fully paid paternity.To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/

Senior Secretary

Location: Birmingham

Job Type: Clerical & Administration

Application Deadline: 29-05-2024

Wates are looking for a Senior Secretary to join our Construction Team in the Midlands region focussing on high profile, technically complex projects across multiple sectors.If you are passionate about construction 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 ROLEAs our Senior Secretary you will: Be responsible for complex diary management, answering calls/ responding to emails and organising travel arrangements Prepare draft correspondence on more complex / technical matters for review Attend meetings to conduct minutes, collate and submit expenses, create and maintain efficient systems as well as other duties required to support the Construction TeamWHAT WE OFFER Competitive salary & profit share scheme Flexible working Car Allowance / Company Car * Travel covered to any of our sites* Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 8% employers contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 26 days holidays + bank holidays and much more… One of the best learning and development programmes which is customizable to support your career progression goals. (c.7000 training sessions delivered year to date across the WATES Group) Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 8 weeks fully paid paternity.(*Subject to role…….)To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/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 or to discuss career opportunities in strict confidence, please contact our In-House Recruitment Team directly 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.

Operations Director

Location: Manchester

Job Type: Operational

Application Deadline: 04-06-2024

Wates Construction are looking for an Operations Director to join our Construction Northern team in Manchester. If you are an Operations Director 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 ROLE Our Operations Directors are a valuable part of our business, the focus of this role will be to provide operational leadership and take accountability for a portfolio of projects and client relationships and successfully develop a team. As our Operations Director you will: Develop and lead performance management and project strategy ensuring delivery of strong commercial results and exceptional client satisfaction Own and manage the relationship with the client from pre-qualification through to tender settlement with consideration for future bid wins on the client account Drive the delivery of the SHE strategy, ensuring the SHE team are challenged and are providing guidance, advice and setting consistent standards across all business units Responsible for the full financial performance of multiple projects Lead supply management strategy and drive change to enhance delivery and efficiencies 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…  One of the best learning and development programmes which is customizable to support your career progression goals. (c.7000 training sessions delivered year to date across the WATES Group)  Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 8 weeks fully paid paternity.  To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/  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.  

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