Construction

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.

Senior Design Manager

Wates Construction is seeking a highly capable Senior Design Manager to lead design delivery for a major new-build scheme at the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, CambridgeThe £85m development includes 83 residential units, 4,744 sqm of mixed‑use floorspace and associated works.Joining at the conclusion of the PCSA stage, you will drive the project through design finalisation and full delivery onsite. You’ll lead an existing Design Manager and Document Controller, reporting to the Regional Principal Design Manager and operating from our Wellcome Trust, Hinxton and Waterbeach offices.About the RoleThis role provides strategic design leadership from preconstruction through to completion, focusing on RIBA Stages 3–6. You will ensure coordinated, timely design information from consultants and CDP partners, manage design risks and opportunities, lead value engineering and maintain strong client-facing communication.We are looking for an SDM with at least 10 years’ experience working for main contractors on the delivery of complex projects. Residential or leisure experience is highly desirable.You’ll ideally be based within 60 to 90 minutes travel of Cambridge and be comfortable being site or office based five days a week (one day remote possible by agreement).As the Senior Design Manager, You WillLead the Design Process Manage design delivery across RIBA Stages 3 to 6 to programme. Coordinate consultants, Principal Designers and supply chain (including CDP). Identify and communicate design risks, proposing solutions and alternatives. Support and develop Contractor’s Proposals and VE activities.Engage Clients and Stakeholders Represent Wates professionally and build strong working relationships. Review Employer’s Requirements, identifying risks and opportunities. Champion Wates’ “Designing the Promise” approach.Manage Designers and Documentation Prepare scopes, DRMs, design programmes and MIRS. Lead regular design team meetings and track performance through KPIs.Support Bids Contribute written content for ITTs and support project win strategies.Drive Safety, Compliance and Sustainability Promote Zero Harm and ensure compliance with Building Regulations, CDM 2015 and statutory requirements. Encourage sustainable, buildable and cost‑effective design solutions.Manage Fees and People Oversee consultant fee budgets and invoice processes. Lead and mentor the Design Manager and Document Controller.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/