Reimagining places for people to thrive.
We are Wates, the UK’s leading family-owned development, building and property maintenance company. Founded over 125 years ago, we know about the built environment. We partner with a wide range of public and private sector customers and partners to create the places, communities and businesses of tomorrow.
Employees (2024)
Turnover (2024)
Social value generated (2024)
Reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions against a 2019 baseline (2024)

Reimagining places for people to thrive
Now in our fourth generation of family ownership, we are committed to the long-term sustainability of the built environment and to making our industry more inclusive and representative of the communities we work in.
Our goals are to be more sustainable, trusted and progressive, and our people are driven by our behaviours of ‘we care’, ‘we are fair’, and ‘we look for a better way’.

Long term financial resilience
As a multi generational, family-owned business we are not driven by short term shareholder demands, but by decisions which are in the long term interest of the business.
Our owners, the Wates Family, are committed to handing over to the next generation, an even stronger, more sustainable business. This approach drives all our investment decisions and allows us to achieve progressive earnings growth and to partner with customers to deliver products and services that offer the best value for money possible.

Health and safety
Our safety strategy: Zero Harm: We’re Safer Together, has produced better results every year since it was first introduced in 2016.
It is aimed at eliminating physical and psychological harm entirely from all our workplaces. In 2022, we led the industry across all key health and safety metrics, while continuing to search for new ways to make us even safer still.

Quality
We are committed to eliminating the practical and economic impacts of any quality failures from each of our businesses, while also achieving full compliance with all relevant regulatory and legislative standards.
Our commitment to quality across the industry was demonstrated through our role in helping draft the Government’s Construction Playbook best practice guide in 2022.

Inclusion and diversity
Our ambition is to have a more diverse workforce and to be recognised as a leader in promoting diversity and inclusion in our own business and in the wider industry.
We are developing a more inclusive culture by establishing clear, non-negotiable expectations about colleagues’ behaviour and language.
We have developed award-winning inclusivity programmes to help change our culture, and we are always looking to build on that work further.

Environment
Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to becoming a net zero carbon company and we’re working to eliminate Scope 1 and 2 carbon and waste from our business operations.
We are also collaborating with customers and suppliers to achieve reductions in Scope 3 emissions in response to rapidly developing customer demands as the net zero agenda becomes ever more important.

Innovation
We have always looked for new and better ways of meeting our customers’ needs and we are committed to developing and embracing the best new ideas that generate value and help us to tackle shared challenges.
Whether we’re cutting operating costs with optimised construction or saving energy with Passivhaus technology, we can connect you with the right answers.
Latest career opportunities
Divisional Commercial Manager
Location: Birmingham
Job Type: Commercial
Application Deadline: 20-03-2026
WPS is seeking an experienced Divisional Commercial Manager to lead the commercial function across a high-value Planned Works portfolio within the social housing sector.This is a senior, influential role with responsibility for a diverse mix of workstreams, including internal refurbishments, external planned works and Net Zero / decarbonisation programmes. You will provide strategic commercial leadership across multiple contracts, working closely with operational and client teams to ensure strong commercial control, risk management and profitable delivery.Key Responsibilities: Lead the commercial strategy and governance across multiple planned works contracts Full accountability for commercial performance on high-turnover, high-profile projects Manage, mentor and develop a commercial team across the region Provide commercial support to operational teams throughout the project lifecycle Oversee cost control, forecasting, valuations, variations and final accounts Ensure robust commercial risk management and compliance with company governance Build and maintain strong relationships with key, high-profile social housing clients Support margin improvement and continuous commercial best practice Contribute to business planning, work-winning support and long-term client relationshipsWorkstreams Covered: Internal Planned Works (kitchens, bathrooms, internal refurbishments) External Planned Works (windows, doors, roofing, envelope works) Net Zero / Decarbonisation programmesAbout You: Proven experience in a Divisional / Senior Commercial Manager role Strong background in social housing planned works Demonstrable experience managing large, complex and high-value contracts Confident leader with experience of managing and developing commercial teams High level of commercial acumen, with a strong understanding of cost, risk and value Comfortable working with senior internal stakeholders and client leadership teams Background in repairs and maintenance / planned maintenance is essentialWhat We Offer: Competitive senior-level salary and benefits package Opportunity to work on major, long-term social housing frameworks Exposure to Net Zero and future-focused investment programmes High-profile role with real influence across the business Long-term career development within a growing and stable organisationWhy Join WPS?WPS delivers essential planned investment programmes for social housing providers, with a strong reputation for quality, compliance and partnership working. This role offers the opportunity to play a pivotal part in shaping commercial performance across a key region and portfolioGiven 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
Divisional Director
Location: Birmingham
Job Type: Operational
Application Deadline: 20-03-2026
WPS has an exceptional opportunity for an experienced Divisional Director to lead our Responsive Maintenance operations across the West Midlands.This is a high-profile, senior leadership role with full accountability for a large, complex and high-value portfolio of social housing contracts. The successful candidate will take ownership of strategy, operational performance, commercial outcomes and people leadership, ensuring the division continues to deliver excellence for our clients while driving sustainable growth.You will lead multiple contracts and projects across the region, working closely with key clients, senior stakeholders and internal teams to ensure WPS remains a trusted, long-term partner in the social housing sector.Key Accountabilities: Full P&L responsibility for a high-turnover regional division Strategic leadership of multiple responsive maintenance contracts Ownership of operational performance, compliance and service delivery Lead, develop and inspire a large multi-disciplinary management team Build and maintain strong relationships with senior client stakeholders Drive continuous improvement across productivity, quality, H&S and customer satisfaction Ensure commercial controls are robust, with effective cost, margin and risk management Contribute to regional and business-wide strategy, growth and mobilisation of new work Act as a visible, credible leader representing WPS at a regional and national levelAbout You: Proven experience in a Divisional Director / Operations Director / Regional Director role Strong background in repairs and maintenance within social housing Demonstrable experience managing high-value, high-profile contracts Track record of leading large, complex teams across multiple sites/contracts Strong commercial acumen with full P&L responsibility Confident operating at client board level and internal executive level Strategic thinker with a hands-on, delivery-focused leadership styleWhat We Offer: Competitive executive-level salary and benefits package A high-profile leadership role within a respected social housing contractor Significant autonomy and influence over regional strategy and delivery Opportunity to shape the future growth and performance of WPS in the West Midlands Long-term career opportunity within a stable, values-driven businessWhy WPS?WPS is a trusted delivery partner within the social housing sector, known for its commitment to quality, compliance and customer experience. This role offers a rare opportunity to lead a major regional operation, influence business strategy and leave a lasting legacy through strong leadership and performance.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
Head of Design
Location: Redditch
Job Type: Design
Application Deadline: 20-03-2026
🌟 Head of Design🌟📍 Location: Midlands📁 Business Unit: WPS✨ About the RoleWe’re looking for a highly experienced and inspiring Head of Design to lead and elevate the Design Management function across our WPS business. This pivotal role carries full accountability for ensuring all design activity — including Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs), retrofit, and planned maintenance programmes — meets the highest levels of technical excellence, safety, and regulatory compliance.You’ll drive continuous improvement, champion innovation, and strengthen business resilience while leading a talented team of Design Managers and Temporary Works specialists.If you thrive in a fast-paced technical environment and enjoy shaping best practice across a region-wide portfolio, we want to hear from you! 🚀What You’ll Do 🚀 Lead, motivate, and develop a team of Design Managers, ensuring clear standards, robust processes, and ongoing professional development. Oversee business-wide design governance, including compliance with the Building Safety Act, CDM 2015 and Golden Thread requirements. Approve key design deliverables, providing technical assurance, design risk management and buildability checks. Support project delivery teams through gateway reviews, resolving technical issues, and ensuring successful tender-to-handover outcomes. Drive continuous improvement, digital design practices, competency frameworks, and in-house technical training. Act as the senior escalation point for all design-related matters, working collaboratively with clients, consultants and supply chain partners.What You’ll Bring 💡 Chartered Civil/Structural Engineer (15+ years’ Tier 1 contractor experience). Strong track record delivering HRBs, remediation, retrofit, and planned maintenance projects. Deep knowledge of building safety regulations, design risk management, and digital design tools. A collaborative, influential leadership style with the ability to drive standards and performance.📢 Why Join Us?This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of Design Management across a major region within WPS. You’ll lead high-impact programmes, work with exceptional people, and play a critical role in ensuring safe, compliant, and innovative delivery across our built environment.How to Apply 📨If you're ready to take the next step and play a key role in shaping design leadership across the WPS business, apply now by submitting your CV and a brief summary of your experience.
Planning Manager
Location: London NW1
Job Type: Planning
Application Deadline: 12-03-2026
Wates are looking for a Planning Manager to join our Smartspace Team where we focus on delivering high-profile, technically complex refurb and fitout projects across multiple sectors.If you thrive in a collaborative team environment, have strong analytical and planning skills, and are ready to bring fresh ideas and challenge the norm, then join us and help to create tomorrow together.This is a fantastic opportunity to grow your career as part of a talented, diverse, and supportive team.ABOUT THE ROLEOur Planners play a vital role in shaping project success. As a Planning Manager, you will support the planning function across pre-construction and live projects, ensuring robust and coordinated delivery plans are in place.Key responsibilities include: Providing professional planning and programming support to pre-contract and project delivery teams. Developing and maintaining detailed project programmes using recognised planning tools. Collaborating with design, commercial, operational, and client teams to ensure integrated planning solutions. Supporting bid submissions with programme input and methodology. Monitoring progress and identifying risks or delays, proposing mitigation strategies. Contributing to continuous improvement by sharing best practices and innovative planning techniques.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 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
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