Construction

Design Manager

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 Planner

Wates Construction is seeking an experienced and forward‑thinking Senior Planner to deliver a professional, reliable and innovative planning service across pre‑contract and live project environments. This is a key opportunity to influence major projects and support the continued growth of our Business Unit.About the RoleAs a Senior Planner, you will lead the planning function on major projects or a portfolio of smaller schemes, working from pre‑qualification through to handover.Collaborating closely with the Planning Manager, Project Directors, Bid Centre teams and planning peers to drive best practice, ensure robust programme governance and enhance planning capability across the Business Unit.Your responsibilities will include:Staff & Management Identifying planning resourcing needs and supporting recruitment and development activity. Mentoring and motivating junior planners, delivering training and completing PDRs. Maintaining high-quality planning outputs for project teams. Leading planning responsibilities on complex or large-scale schemes, including supervision of other planners.Governance Implementing best practice and sharing knowledge across the planning discipline. Exploring innovation in construction or planning techniques. Leading peer reviews and programme audits.Business Reporting Reporting audit outcomes and recommending corrective measures. Contributing to business-wide operational and planning reports.Operational Delivery Preparing or contributing to detailed project reports. Establishing KPIs and monitoring performance across a project’s lifecycle. Supporting non-planning colleagues with programme-related training. Maintaining accurate as‑built programmes and programme issue logs. Managing supply chain programme protocols, approvals and integration. Supporting change management, including programme impact and EOT assessments. Ensuring seamless integration of design, procurement and construction sequences. Reviewing programmes produced by junior planners and supporting short‑term or target programmes.Bidding Providing construction methodology advice to clients and consultants. Supporting pre‑qualification submissions. Producing integrated tender programmes and method statements and presenting proposals at settlement. Preparing schedules and analysing quotes for time‑related preliminaries.What We’re Looking for in YouWe’re looking for an experienced Senior Planner who combines technical expertise, leadership capability and a collaborative approach.You will bring: Substantial construction planning experience, ideally gained with a main contractor. Advanced experience using Asta Powerproject and a strong understanding of JCT contract mechanisms, including change management and EOT assessment. Experience planning tenders, including supporting bid strategies, methodology, sequencing and producing high‑quality tender programmes. Experience planning for Schools, Colleges, or Universities, or strong transferable experience from similarly complex, multi‑stakeholder project types. Proven ability to mentor junior colleagues and promote continuous improvement. Strong analytical and programme-reporting capability, with excellent attention to detail. The confidence to challenge assumptions, influence decision-making and propose innovative planning solutions.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.

Assistant Design Manager

Wates are looking for a Design Manager to join our Wales team, delivering high‑quality new homes for local communities.If you’re passionate about great design, enjoy working collaboratively, and have strong technical capability, this is an opportunity to challenge the norm, bring fresh ideas, and progress your career within a leading construction business. Join us and help create tomorrow, together.This is a fantastic opportunity to develop professionally as part of a talented, diverse and supportive team.ABOUT THE ROLEOur 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: Collaborate with all relevant internal and external stakeholders to produce and manage a realistic design programme and information requirements schedule that supports design, procurement, and construction activities. Support the delivery of Continuous Improvement initiatives and drive innovation across projects. Ensure designs are robustly reviewed and verified to achieve compliance and mitigate Health & Safety, design, and buildability risks prior to construction. Identify and manage key risks and opportunities at each stage of the design and delivery process. Promote quality, coordination, and buildability from concept through to delivery.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… 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/

Section Manager

We are looking to recruit a number of Section Managers over the next few months to work on a major project near Market Harborough. The project, an £800m scheme for the Ministry of Justice, will continue until continue until late 2028.The Section Manager will be accountable to the Site Manager for the managing of a particular Sub Contract Package or part of the project to time, budget, quality and safety.Main responsibilities include but not limited to Prioritises own work in line with set objectives and seeks advice and guidance when priorities are not clear. Keep and maintain records, for area of responsibility i.e. Labour Returns, Daily Diaries, Cube Results, As Built Programmes, and Weekly Project Report. Carry out material scheduling, and call offs including reinforcement, brickwork etc. Demonstrate understanding of Engineering requirements and the importance of Grid Lines and T.B.M. Establish basic lines and levels Keeps and maintain Q.A. records for area of responsibility. Obtain agreement to and a formal sign off for Samples and working examples of quality required by the Specification. Participate, contribute and where required chair and minute meetings with Sub-Contractors etc. Draft Contractual correspondence for approval by the Commercial Team prior to sending. Undertake toolbox talks. Manages those under their control and work safely, and economically by co-ordinating activities with others.Requirements: An excellent communicator with leadership skills to assist the business in achieving customer satisfaction. Experienced in trades best practice and quality control. Knowledge of cost control, liability, and profit issues. Familiar with technical specifications. Highly organised with good time and project management skills. Experience of materials plant scheduling. A collaborator who works as an effective member of teams. Construction Skills Certification Scheme qualified. An advocate for Health and Safety, with experience in implementing safe and effective practices to ensure the Zero Harm Culture is maintained.