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.

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.

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
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 streetWorking across both public and private sectors
Major Projects services

Construction
We are passionate about building a better tomorrow for everybody, through the work we do and the social value we bring to projects.


Engineering
We provide high quality engineering services for the built environment sector including mechanical, electrical and plumbing.


Building Technology
We transform environments using technology, innovation and next level engineering to drive efficiency and sustainability.


Offsite Manufacturing
Using offsite manufacturing and modern methods of construction we can improve quality, productivity and efficiency.

Latest Major Projects insight
CAREERS IN CONSTRUCTION AT WATES
Want to be part of our team?

Bid Manager
Location: London NW1
Job Type: Bid
Application Deadline: 31-10-2025
Wates are seeking a talented Bid Manager to join our dynamic team. As a key part of the Pre-Construction Team, you will be responsible for managing the entire bid process, ensuring that proposals are well-organized, professional, and competitive. 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 ROLE Our Bid Managers are a valuable part of our business, and you will work closely with internal stakeholders, clients, and consultants to secure contracts that align with Wates' vision and business objectives. AS OUR BID MANAGER YOU WILL: Manage and coordinate the end-to-end bid process, including PQQs, ITTs, and tender submissions. Develop win strategies and bid themes that align with client requirements. Lead bid planning, ensuring timelines and deadlines are met. Collaborate with key stakeholders such as Estimators, Planners, and Design Managers to ensure a comprehensive and competitive bid. Produce high-quality written content for bids and presentations. Ensure bids reflect Wates’ commitment to quality, sustainability, and health and safety standards. WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR: To excel in this role, you need to have a comprehensive understanding of bid management and production, along with a solid grasp of the construction industry, pricing, and costing. You should be well-versed in best practices within the field. Your skills in project management, bid strategy, production, and process are crucial. You must be an excellent communicator, capable of effectively engaging both internal and external stakeholders. Strong negotiation and presentation skills are essential, as is the ability to conduct thorough risk analysis. Additionally, you should possess strong people and team management abilities to lead and coordinate effectively. 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: Newbury
Job Type: Design
Application Deadline: 28-10-2025
Wates Construction are looking for a 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 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
Senior Design Manager
Location: Portsmouth
Job Type: Design
Application Deadline: 28-10-2025
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
Temporary Works Advisor
Location: Nationwide
Job Type: Operational
Application Deadline: 28-10-2025
Are you passionate about making construction safer, smarter and more compliant? We’re on the lookout for a proactive and knowledgeable Temporary Works Advisor to join our team and support sites across the Northern region.This is a brilliant opportunity to play a key role in ensuring our temporary works processes are not only followed, but continuously improved. You’ll be the go-to person for site teams, helping them navigate procedures, audits, and best practice with confidence.ABOUT THE ROLEOur Temporary Works Advisors are a vital part of our delivery teams. You’ll bring foresight and best practice to every site you support, helping teams navigate complex procedures while maintaining high standards of safety and buildability. Alongside this, you’ll play a key role in developing and mentoring others, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaborative working across our projects.As our Temporary Works Advisor you will be: Carrying out weekly site inspections and compliance audits, using our standardised reporting templates. Supporting preconstruction planning by ensuring TW toolkits and registers are in place and appointments made before work begins. Providing on-site guidance and training to PCTWCs and TWSs to help them meet compliance standards. Championing health & safety and collaborating with our SHE team to share knowledge and drive improvements. Helping us digitally integrate our TW procedures into new systems for smarter working. Feeding back insights and lessons learned to improve our TW processes across the board.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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