Surveyor Graduate Management Trainee (site-based)

Wates Smartspace; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Private medical insurance

Car allowance

Health & wellness programme

26 days holiday + bank holidays

Birthday Day off

Job summary

Wates invites applications for a Surveyor Trainee programme in Sunderland and other locations. The role develops commercial knowledge across costing, procurement, contract management, reporting and risk—providing exposure to the full lifecycle of projects.

You will gain practical experience through mentoring, workshops, placements and relevant qualifications, with a clear path toward professional chartership and career progression in the built environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree by September 2027 with 2:2 or above (construction-related degree preferred).
• Full UK driving licence may be required for some opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Support the commercial management of projects, monitoring costs, budgets and financial performance.
• Assist in preparation, analysis and reporting of commercial data for project teams and stakeholders.
• Develop understanding of forecasting, cash flow management and risk assessment processes.

Skills

Teamwork

Organised

Prioritisation

Solution-focused

Education

Bachelor’s degree (2:2 or above)

Job description

About the opportunity:

As a Surveyor Trainee,you'll develop the commercial knowledge and practical skills needed to help manage the financial success of construction and engineering projects. Working alongside experienced commercial professionals, you'll gain exposure to project costing, procurement, contract management, financial reporting and risk management, building a strong understanding of the commercial lifecycle of a project.

You'll have the opportunity to work with a range of internal teams, clients and supply chain partners, helping to ensure projects are delivered efficiently and commercially successfully.

What you will do:

Over the course of theprogramme, you will:

• Support the commercial management of projects, helping to monitor costs, budgets and financial performance throughout the project lifecycle
• Assist in the preparation, analysis and reporting of commercial data, ensuring accurate and timely information is provided to project teams and key stakeholders.
• Develop an understanding of forecasting, cash flow management and risk assessment processes, supporting the commercial team in identifying opportunities and mitigating risks.
• Support the procurement of subcontractors and suppliers, including the preparation of tender documentation and commercial evaluations
• Assist with the administration and management of subcontractor accounts, including valuations, payments and contractual documentation.
• Help maintain the financial and contractual position of projects by developing an understanding of contracts, legal obligations, design responsibilities and project progress.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, clients, subcontractors and supply chain partners.
• Contribute to the preparation and management of commercial documentation, reports and project records.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and contribute to team objectives and business goals.
• Gain the relevant technical and behavioural knowledge for your role, through the completion of a technical manual, behavioural workshops, short-term placements and relevant qualifications.

About you:

To be successful on the programme, you'll:

• Be passionate about building a career in the built environment.
• Be curious, eager to learn and committed to your personal development.
• Build positive relationships and work collaboratively with others.
• Take ownership of your work and act with integrity and professionalism.
• Approach challenges with a positive, solution-focused mindset.
• Be organised, adaptable and able to prioritise effectively.
• Be committed to delivering high standards and making a positive impact.

What's in it for you?

At Wates, we're committed to helping you build a successful career in construction. Alongside hands-on experience in your chosen career pathway, graduates who do not hold a degree in a construction-related subject will be enrolled onto a relevant Level 4 apprenticeship, providing additional learning and development to help accelerate your career in the built environment.

You'll also benefit from mentoring, structured training, behavioural workshops and support from experienced professionals throughout your programme. We encourage and support our trainees to continue their professional development through industry-recognised qualifications and, where applicable, work towards chartership.

In addition, we offer:

• Competitive salary
• Private medical insurance
• Car allowance
• Health & wellness programme
• 26 days holiday + bank holidays
• Birthday Day off

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for this programme, you must:

• By September 2027, you must have obtained a bachelor's degree with a predicted or achieved classification of 2:2 or above.
• Some opportunities require a full UK driving licence and a degree related to thisrole. Please refer to the location requirements below for details.

Locations

• Yorkshire (Leeds/Keighley/Wakefield)
  • Relevant degree not required
  • Full UK driving licence required
• Sunderland
  • Relevant degree required
  • Full UK driving licence required

For site based roles, please note that the location listed in this advert reflects your initial placement and may change throughout the programme depending on project and business requirements.

Important: Travel Requirements

As a project-based business, our teams work across a variety of locations. Depending on the role, you may be required to work from different project sites within the region or nationally throughout the programme.

Please carefully consider this requirement before applying, as travel and mobility are essential parts of the role. Successful candidates must be willing to travel in line with project and business need.

Applications close on 10 November 2026.

A few things to consider before you apply:

• Some vacancies might close earlier if we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible
• We value authenticity and encourage you to complete your application without the use of AI tools. This helps us gain a genuine understanding of your individual strengths, experiences and potential.
• Only one application will be accepted per recruitment year. Any additional applications will be automatically withdrawn.

About Wates

Established in 1897, we are one of the UK's leading family-owned development, building and property maintenance companies. With 6,000 employees and now in our fourth generation of family ownership, we're committed to the long-term sustainability of the built environment and to making our industry more inclusiveand representative of the communities we work in.

With multiple businesses working across the built environment, we can offer a wide range of career opportunities.

As part of our trainee programme, you'll join a network of around 200 peers, learning and working together as you build connections and develop your career at Wates.

Our commitments

Wates is proud to be an employer where everyone can thrive, and we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, we will be happy to support you. To discuss your requirements, please contact us at [e-mail].

Please note that some roles may require additional pre-employment checks due to the nature of the work.