Building bespoke schools – better, faster and greener.
Our innovative, component-based, DfE-compliant design solution enables us to build better and greener schools faster, with predictable time, cost and high-quality outcomes. With £2.4m R&D investment to date we’ve successfully delivered over 60 Adapt schools.

Building bespoke schools – better, faster and greener.
Our innovative, component-based, DfE-compliant design solution enables us to build better and greener schools faster, with predictable time, cost and high-quality outcomes. With £2.4m R&D investment to date we’ve successfully delivered over 60 Adapt schools.
This standardised approach to school construction and focus on offsite manufacture has revolutionised the education sector increasing quality, safety, and building efficiency.
Hosted in our web-based digital library, the Adapt components are pre-designed, pre-coordinated and real-world tested solutions. They can be slotted together in infinite configurations to respond to individual school adjacencies and curriculum needs, forming unique and bespoke education facilities.
Some of our projects built with Adapt Zero
CAREERS IN CONSTRUCTION
Want to be part of our team?

Senior Quantity Surveyor
Location: Newmarket
Job Type: Commercial
Application Deadline: 15-05-2025
Are you a forward-thinking Surveyor with a passion for challenging the norm and driving innovation in the construction industry? Wates invites you to become part of our team, where we deliver high-profile, technically complex projects across multiple sectors. This is your opportunity to make a real impact, elevate your career, and work on groundbreaking projects with a supportive and diverse team.Why Choose Wates?At Wates, we reimagine places for people to thrive. We’re not just offering a job; we’re offering a platform for you to bring fresh ideas, redefine standards, and grow within a company that values talent and ambition. Our inclusive environment encourages collaboration and innovation, ensuring that your contributions will shape the future of construction.What You’ll Do:As a Senior Quantity Surveyor at Wates, you will play a pivotal role in the success of our projects by leading the commercial aspects and ensuring their seamless execution. Your responsibilities will include: Leadership & Strategy: Managing the project’s commercial team and taking accountability for all pre- and post-contract strategies, commercial functions, and contract reporting. Value Creation: Collaborating with clients and industry experts to deliver added value, ensure compliance, and uphold best practices while driving commercial viability. Key Deliverables: Oversee procurement strategies, sub-contract orders, and supply chain management. Handle measurements, valuations, contractual notices, and change valuations. Complete and submit monthly cost reports, progress updates, and both internal and external tender strategies. Financial Oversight: Maintain positive project cash flow through upstream/downstream valuations and deliver accurate final accounts for main and sub-contracts. What’s in It for You? · 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. Ready to Build the Future?If you’re ready to redefine what’s possible in construction and take your career to the next level, we want to hear from you. Join Wates, and together, let’s create tomorrow.Apply Now to Make Your Mark!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.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
Quantity Surveyor
Location: Manchester
Job Type: Commercial
Application Deadline: 20-05-2025
Wates are on the lookout for a Quantity Surveyor to join our forward-thinking construction team in the West. We’re talking high-profile, technically challenging projects across multiple sectors—projects that demand fresh thinking, sharp commercial instincts, and a drive to make a real impact.If you live and breathe construction and you’re hungry to step up, shake things up, and shape the future of the built environment—this is your moment.Why join Wates?Because we don’t just build projects—we build careers. You’ll be part of a collaborative, talented, and supportive team that celebrates new ideas and puts people first. Whether you’re from Liverpool, Manchester, or anywhere in between, we’ll help you rise—on your terms.What you'll be doingAs a Site Surveyor, you’ll be a key player—owning your work packages, driving commercial performance, and influencing how our most ambitious projects come to life. You’ll be trusted to take the lead, solve problems, and work closely with everyone from clients to supply chain partners.Your day-to-day will include: Developing smart commercial strategies and managing your own subcontract packages Maximising cashflow through effective cost control and negotiations Supporting procurement strategies, leading tender processes, and producing subcontract orders Working closely with our Commercial Lead to shape final accounts and keep everything aligned to best practice 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/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.Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Standard 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 #QS
Senior Planner
Location: Sunderland
Job Type: Planning
Application Deadline: 19-05-2025
Wates Construction are looking for a Senior Planner to join our Major Projects Construction Team in Sunderland where we are focussing on high profile, technically complex industrial project. If you are passionate about working within a team environment, have proven analytical and planning skills 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 Planners are a valuable part of our business, the focus of this role is to provide an effective and professional planning and programming services for pre-contract and project teams.As our Senior Planner you will: Instigate and monitor a balanced suite of performance measurement criteria throughout a project’s lifecycle Ensure proper integration of design and procurement elements of programmes with construction Produce integrated tender programme and method statement and present proposals to settlement meeting Change management: review programme effect of changes and advise on EOT issues Produce schedules as well as obtain and analyse quotes for all time-related preliminaries 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/ 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 Design Manager
Location: Birmingham
Job Type: Design
Application Deadline: 16-05-2025
At Wates, we don’t just construct buildings—we craft places with meaning, impact, and innovation at their core. Now, we're looking for a Senior Design Manager to join our team in Birmingham and help shape some of the most high-profile, technically ambitious projects in the city.If you're the kind of person who sees possibility where others see limitations—who thrives in complexity, and leads with creativity and clarity—then this is your moment.Why This Role? As a Senior Design Manager, you're a strategic force, turning vision into reality, balancing creativity with constructability, and driving design excellence at every turn.You’ll be the glue between imagination and execution—where the boldest ideas meet the practical brilliance of delivery.What You’ll Be Doing Rethink the ordinary. Challenge the status quo of design and construction. Lead from the front. Own the design programme, working with consultants, commercial and ops teams to deliver beautiful, buildable, and budget-conscious outcomes. Spot the hidden potential. Identify design risks and turn them into opportunities that unlock value and elevate outcomes. Create cohesion. Align stakeholders, drive workshops, and champion coordination from concept to completion. Be the spark. Bring fresh thinking, elevate others, and leave a lasting mark on every project you touch. Ensure compliance. Act as a competent professional under the Building Safety Act, signing off project components with full accountability for safety and regulatory alignment.What You’ll Bring A passion for design that goes beyond aesthetics—you see how it lives, breathes, and functions in the real world Proven experience managing complex design processes on major construction projects A collaborative mindset and a sharp eye for detail, quality, and innovation The confidence to challenge, the curiosity to ask “what if?”, and the skills to turn ideas into impactWhat 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/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.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
GET IN TOUCH
To get in touch with us, simply fill in the form below and we’ll get right back to you.