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 Design Manager
Location: Portsmouth
Job Type: Design
Application Deadline: 20-11-2025
Wates are looking for a Senior Design Manager to join our team focussing on high profile, technically complex projects across multiple sectors. If you are passionate about design, working within a team environment and 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 Senior Design Managers are a valuable part of our business, driving quality outcomes, enhancing buildability and fostering innovation. Senior Design Managers work collaboratively with our customers and industry specialists to ensure that the design develops in accordance with the brief with a firm focus on added value, compliance, commercial viability, and best practice. As our Senior Design Manager, you will: Review the current design of all projects and undertake detailed risk and opportunities appraisal to mitigating risk, enhance buildability and add value prior to construction phase In collaboration with the project team, Lead Designer and Consultant Team, produce and manage a realistic design programme and information required schedule, to satisfy design, procurement, and construction requirements. Work closely with the Commercial and Operations Teams to ensure all design deliverables are fully coordinated, buildable and within budget. Contribute to technical workshops, value management exercises as required to align expectations in this respect 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
Senior Estimator
Location: Kilburn
Job Type: Estimating
Application Deadline: 20-11-2025
Wates are looking for a Senior Estimator to prepare competitive net bid costs for a range of both contracting and development residential projects and frameworks in the London region.The role of Senior Estimator will provide overview of pricing model and documents required as part of the bid/tender. Arranging tender meetings including mid tender reviews, pre settlement and settlement meetings ensuring compliance with Wates Operating Framework.As a Senior Estimator, you will: Have expertise in the residential construction and development sectors including, high rise, mid-rise and low rise (houses)developments. Good knowledge of bid processes, tenders and document management. Liaise with Commercial teams throughout the process to discuss strategies, prepare bespoke commercial solutions to meet objectives. Abstract information into subcontract and material packages. Compile subcontract and material companies from supply chain list for sending out of enquiries and validation of subcontractor market data for use in tender costs. Identify risks and opportunities, alternative solutions and value engineering options. Liaise with bid team to incorporate all CSR proposed for the contract and ensure pricing model mirrors written method statements and highlight to the team any major discrepancies. Provide tender feedback to supply chain on performance, build relationships with supply chain and subcontractors.WHAT WE OFFER Competitive salary & profit share scheme 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… 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, 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/
Site Surveyor
Location: Warwick
Job Type: Commercial
Application Deadline: 20-11-2025
Wates are looking for a Quantity Surveyor to join our Construction Team 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 Quantity Surveyors are a valuable part of our business, where they take ownership for the development and implementation of all pre and post contract strategies, commercial functions and contract reporting. Quantity Surveyors will have full accountability for their own work packages or projects and continue to work collaboratively with our customers and industry specialists with a firm focus on added value, compliance, commercial viability, and best practice.As our Quantity Surveyor you will:· Contribute to the project commercial strategies and take ownership for your own subcontract packages, whilst demonstrating an understanding of the implementation of internal and external tender strategies· Maximise project cashflow by effective management of subcontract packages· Contribute to relevant project procurement strategies with particular focus on the issuing of tender enquiries, package reconciliations and production of subcontract orders, whilst working with the Commercial Lead to 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, 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
Social Value Coordinator
Location: Thetford
Job Type: Clerical & Administration
Application Deadline: 20-11-2025
Wates is on the lookout for a Social Value Coordinator to join our dynamic team, working on high-profile, technically complex projects across a range of exciting sectors.If you're someone who cares deeply about making a difference, loves connecting with people, and thrives on bringing fresh ideas to the table—this could be your moment. We’re looking for someone who’s organised, a great communicator, and eager to challenge the norm while helping shape the future of construction.Join us and be part of a talented, diverse, and supportive team where your voice matters and your growth is championed.ABOUT THE ROLEOur Social Value Coordinators are a vital part of our business, supporting the delivery of social value initiatives across our projects. Working closely with the Social Value Manager, you will help coordinate activities, engage with stakeholders, and ensure accurate reporting against project KPIs.As our Social Value Coordinator you will: Support the coordination and delivery of Social Value activities in line with project KPIs, including careers fairs, work experience placements, and volunteering initiatives. Assist in sourcing and onboarding champions for Social Value, Social Enterprise, Safeguarding, D&I, Wellbeing, and Charity initiatives at project level. Manage data collection and reporting, ensuring GDPR compliance and supporting KPI monitoring across sites. Create and collate content for social media, websites, and internal communications, including case studies and success stories aligned with the regional comms plan. Engage with community groups and associations, supporting co-design and ensuring stakeholder voices are reflected in project decisions. Promote the value of Social Value initiatives to internal teams, encouraging participation and collaboration. Liaise with external delivery partners to maintain and develop Social Value programmes within project locations. Collaborate with Group Social Value leads and regional colleagues to share best practices and identify opportunities for joint initiatives.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.(*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.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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