major projects

Major Projects
Empowering Tomorrow: Uniting people and Technology for a Future of Innovation

The newly established Major Projects Division stands as a testament to our commitment to ‘Empowering Tomorrow’, by seamlessly integrating the expertise of our people with cutting-edge technology and is poised to redefine the landscape of construction. It embodies a future where collaboration, technology, and ingenuity converge to shape groundbreaking solutions and transformative spaces.

Major Projects

Large-scale, impactful construction projects

Spearheading major, complex projects across the UK, including the impressive A1 development at British Land’s Canada Water site, this ambitious project encompasses the development of three office blocks and a striking 35-storey residential tower.  We also commenced works last year on the £450m gigafactory project in Sunderland on behalf of AESC UK.

It showcases our commitment to pioneering large-scale, impactful construction projects.

Major Projects

A culture of continuous growth

Now, having created tomorrow, the focus shifts to the core element of this progress: people.

It’s about harnessing the collective power of individuals within the Wates business, nurturing talent, and fostering a culture of continuous growth.

This shift underscores Wates Group’s holistic approach, where people take centre stage in building not just structures, but a
legacy of excellence!

Discover our Major Projects: One Success Story at a Time

AESC UK – Car Battery Gigafactory, Sunderland

In December 2021, we were appointed alongside Turner & Townsend by AESC UK, to lead the construction of its advanced car battery gigafactory at the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP).

Industrial
Canada Water

Regenerating Canada Water

Our 53 acre Canada Water development will be the first new town centre in London for 50 years.

Retail and the high street
2

Working across both public and private sectors

Major Projects services

CAREERS IN CONSTRUCTION AT WATES

Want to be part of our team?

Graphic Designer

Location: London

Job Type: Marketing & Communications

Application Deadline: 06-02-2026

Wates Construction is looking for a talented Graphic Designer to support our Preconstruction team. You’ll create high‑impact visuals for EOIs, PQQs, RFIs and tender submissions, helping to bring our win themes to life through clear, compelling design. This is a great opportunity to shape the visual identity of major bids and work closely with bid and technical teams across the business.Key Accountabilities Design high‑quality visuals including layouts, infographics, diagrams, case studies and bid templates. Maintain consistent brand application and manage design assets within Adobe Creative Cloud. Translate win themes and technical content into engaging visual concepts. Collaborate with Bid Managers and technical teams, managing multiple deadlines. Produce print‑ready and digital artwork using InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and Ceros.What We're Looking For in You Strong graphic design skills with a solid understanding of layout, typography and brand consistency. Ability to simplify and visualise complex or technical information. Advanced Adobe Creative Suite skills and a strong design portfolio. Organised, collaborative and confident working in a fast‑paced environment. Degree in Graphic Design or related field (desirable).To Be Successful in the RoleYou will be creative, proactive and highly organised, with a keen eye for detail and the ability to work calmly under pressure. You’ll build strong working relationships, take pride in producing high‑quality visuals and enjoy contributing to compelling, client‑focused bid submissions.

Assistant Framework Manager

Location: London NW1

Job Type: Bid

Application Deadline: 10-02-2026

Wates are offering an exceptional opportunity for an ambitious Assistant Framework Manager to play a key role in driving the success of our strategic frameworks within our Public Sector team. This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a fast‑paced environment, enjoys building strong relationships, and is energised by the challenge of delivering consistently high performance across multiple workstreams. As an integral part of our Public Sector framework team, you’ll support the smooth day‑to‑day running of key frameworks — from governance and performance reporting through to client engagement and re‑bid activity. This is a role where curiosity, collaboration, and a proactive mindset will be genuinely valued.What You’ll Be Doing:In this role, you will contribute to shaping the success of our frameworks by: Developing smart, insightful performance tools Creating dashboards and reporting systems that track project and framework performance, spotlight opportunities for improvement, and support data‑driven decision‑making. Supporting strategic framework wins Getting involved in win plans, prequalification activity, and bid execution to help secure the frameworks that underpin our future growth. Driving sector and strategy insights Supporting research that strengthens our framework and sector strategies and ensures we’re always one step ahead. Building trusted relationships Working closely with framework teams and clients to maintain strong, dependable partnerships. Championing framework governance Helping ensure commitments, objectives, and delivery standards are met consistently and effectively. Contributing to marketing and PR efforts Supporting activities that enhance client retention and promote the strength of our offer. Sharing best practice across teams Bringing innovation, sector knowledge, and fresh thinking into our bid teams to elevate our collective performance. What We Offer:· Competitive salary & Bonus scheme. · Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 6% 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

Assistant Quantity Surveyor

Location: Liverpool

Job Type: Commercial

Application Deadline: 03-02-2026

Wates are looking for an Assistant 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 Assistant Quantity Surveyors are a valuable part of our business, providing support to the Quantity Surveyors in the development and implementation of all pre and post contract strategies, commercial functions and contract reporting. Assistant Quantity Surveyors work collaboratively with our customers and industry specialists with a firm focus on added value, compliance, commercial viability, and best practice.As our Assistant Quantity Surveyor you will be involved in:· Procurement of materials, equipment and subcontract works – undertaking commercial assessment of quotes received and ensure the timely placement of orders to facilitate project delivery and ensure business objectives are met.· Commercial management of smaller sub-contract packages, ensuring all contractual processes are completed on time including measurement and valuation of sub-contract applications.· Complete agreed record keeping in relation to the project, whilst monitoring and handling payments in relation to plant, materials and labour.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

Design Manager

Location: Rugby

Job Type: Design

Application Deadline: 07-02-2026

Wates are looking for a Design Manager to join our Construction 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 Design Managers are a valuable part of our business, driving quality outcomes, enhancing buildability and fostering innovation. Design Managers work collaboratively with our industry specialists and in-house technical experts 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 Design Manager you will: Work with all relevant parties, to produce and manage a realistic design programme and information required schedule to facilitate design, procurement and construction activities Support the implementation of Continuous Improvement initiatives and innovation Ensure the design has been reviewed and verified to achieve compliance and mitigate Health and Safety, design and buildability issues prior to construction and identify key risks and opportunities at each stage of the design and delivery process. 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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