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Wates seeking an experienced Operations Director to lead and grow our data centre delivery capability.
This is initially a site-based role, requiring flexibility to operate primarily between two current live projects in the Yorkshire region. The role also carries wider national responsibility beyond these locations.
The role demands a hands-on operational leader with proven experience of operating within live data centres and critical environments, with expertise in leading teams to deliver fast-track refurbishment projects, particularly within the data centre sector.
The Ideal Candidate Will
- Come from an engineering contracting background.
- Have demonstrable experience delivering large-scale, complex MEP (Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health) projects.
- Have a strong understanding of mission-critical infrastructure.
- Have the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in high-pressure operational environments.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
The Candidate Will Also Have a Proven Ability To
- Manage stakeholder expectations.
- Maintain operational continuity.
- Ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, and to the highest quality standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Stakeholder engagement.
- Leading project teams to deliver the current workload.
- Expanding the current pipeline.
- Developing clear business plans to expand Smartspace's capability and market position in the data centre sector.
This role is pivotal to the delivery, growth, and strategic development of our data centre offering and requires a leader who can balance operational excellence with commercial and client-facing leadership.
Functional Leadership Accountability
The Role Will Also Carry Functional Leadership Accountability, Including
- Providing direction for the wider Operational function.
- Ensuring appropriate governance.
- Driving capability development.
- Ensuring consistent standards.
- Supporting strong performance.
- Enabling effective integration with commercial delivery teams.


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Our commitments: Do not remove this text
Wates is proud to be an employer where anyone can thrive, and we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every requirement, as we value transferable skills and assess all applications fairly.
We don't discriminate based on a criminal record; all applications are reviewed on an individual basis against the requirements of the role. Some roles may require additional checks, due to the nature of the work. As a Disability Confident Leader, we offer an interview to applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the role and opt in to the Disability Confident scheme. Reasonable adjustments are available, please contact us at recruitment@wates.co.uk
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