Social Value Manager

Wates Group; Stretford; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary + bonus

Travel covered

Private medical

8% pension contribution

Wellbeing support

26 days holiday + bank holidays

Family leave

Job summary

Wates Group is seeking a Social Value Manager for New Projects and Work Winning (Northwest & West Midlands). You will drive social value from bid to delivery, shaping strategies aligned to client priorities and ensuring value is embedded from day one.

The role requires strong bid-writing, stakeholder engagement, and regional coordination across multiple projects with data-led reporting and audits.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering social value in construction, infra, or similar environments.
• Strong bid writing and stakeholder engagement to influence and win work.
• Knowledge of social value reporting frameworks (e.g., TOMS).
• Experience managing KPIs, data, and evidence for audits.
• Ability to coordinate across multiple regional projects and stakeholders.
• Project management skills with ability to prioritise and deliver quickly.

Responsibilities

• Lead social value on bids and pre-construction activities to win work.
• Shape project social value strategies aligned to client priorities and policy.
• Embed social value early in the project lifecycle with bid teams and partners.
• Own and track social value KPIs with robust delivery plans.
• Manage data, evidence, and reporting for audits and client reporting.
• Collaborate with Social Value Advisors and promote success via case studies.

Skills

Social value

Bid writing

Stakeholder engagement

Data reporting

KPI management

Project management

Client liaison

Education

Social Value / Sustainability qualification

Job description

Social Value Manager – New Projects / Work Winning (Northwest & West Midlands)

At Wates, we don't just deliver projects — we create lasting social value in the communities we serve. We're now looking for a Social Value Manager to play a key role in securing and delivering new work across the region, spanning the West Midlands and the Northwest West region.

This is a high-impact, outward-facing role focused on winning work, shaping bids, and embedding meaningful social value into new projects from day one. If you're passionate about community impact, thrive in a fast-paced bid environment, and want to influence how major projects leave a legacy — we want to hear from you.

What You'll Be Doing

As our Social Value Manager, you'll sit at the heart of new project activity — driving social value strategy from bid to delivery:

• Lead social value on bids and pre-construction activity, ensuring compelling, high-quality submissions that win work
• Shape project-specific social value strategies aligned to client priorities, Section 106 requirements, and Wates' Social Value Strategy
• Collaborate with bid teams, operational leads, and partners across the region to embed social value early in the project lifecycle
• Own and track social value KPIs, ensuring robust delivery plans and measurable outcomes
• Manage data, evidence and reporting, supporting audits and client reporting requirements (including TOMS where applicable)
• Work closely with Social Value Advisors, driving performance, engagement, and development
• Promote social value success, working with Marketing & Communications to showcase impact through case studies, media, and social content
• Manage budgets for social value initiatives and programmes

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone commercially aware, credible in a bid environment, and passionate about making a difference:

• Proven experience delivering social value within construction, infrastructure, or a complex organisation
• Strong bid writing and stakeholder engagement skills — able to influence and win work
• Knowledge of social value frameworks, policy, and reporting (e.g. TOMS, non-financial reporting)
• Experience managing KPIs, data and evidence for reporting and audit
• Confidence to work across multiple projects and stakeholders in a regional role
• Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritise and deliver at pace
• A background or qualification in Social Value, Sustainability, Community Development (or similar) is desirable
• Experience in areas such as youth work, employment & skills, or community engagement is highly beneficial

What's In It For You

• Competitive salary + Bonus options
• Travel covered (HMRC advisory rates)
• Private medical, 8% pension contribution, wellbeing support
• 26 days holiday + bank holidays + birthday + option for additional holiday purchase.
• Industry-leading family leave (26 weeks full pay maternity, 12 weeks full pay paternity)
• Ongoing learning and development to support your career growth

Why Wates?

We're committed to creating places that matter — and that starts with people. You'll join a supportive, forward-thinking team where your ideas are valued and your impact is visible.

https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/

• Social Value Manager.docx