Balfour Beatty plc
General Foreman
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About The Role
Join Balfour Beatty's Regional Civils team and play a key role in delivering the Bramford to Twinstead Network Reinforcement (BTNO) Project, a nationally significant infrastructure scheme that will strengthen the UK's electricity network and support the transition to a low-carbon future. Based near Colchester, this major National Grid project will enhance the transmission of renewable and low-carbon energy across East Anglia through the construction of approximately 18km of new overhead lines, 11km of underground cable, and a new substation at Twinstead Green, creating a vital connection between Bramford Substation in Suffolk and Twinstead Tee in Essex along a 29km route.
As a General Foreman, you will play a pivotal role in the safe, efficient and successful delivery of this landmark project. Providing hands-on leadership across your section of works, you will oversee and coordinate teams of Foremen, Gangers and direct labour while managing the day-to-day activities of subcontractors to ensure work is delivered to programme, quality and safety requirements. Working closely with site management and engineering teams, you'll drive productivity on site, maintain the highest standards of health, safety and environmental compliance, and help deliver infrastructure that will support the UK's growing demand for sustainable energy generation for years to come. This is an excellent opportunity to join one of the UK's leading infrastructure companies and contribute to a project that will have a lasting impact on the region and the nation's energy network.
What you'll be doing
- Lead and supervise site operations, coordinating Foremen, Gangers, direct labour and subcontractors to ensure works are delivered safely, efficiently and to programme.
- Promote and enforce a strong health, safety and environmental culture, ensuring safe systems of work are clearly communicated, understood and followed at all times.
- Deliver engaging toolbox talks, site briefings and safety communications, maintaining compliance with company standards and current H&S legislation.
- Plan and allocate labour, plant, equipment and materials effectively to maximise productivity and support programme delivery.
- Monitor and manage construction activities against key project milestones, taking ownership of issues and implementing solutions to maintain progress.
- Oversee the quality of works on site, ensuring compliance with specifications, contract requirements, inspection and test plans, and construction tolerances.
- Manage the day-to-day performance of direct labour and subcontractors, driving productivity, quality and collaborative working across the project.
- Produce, maintain and review accurate daily records, ensuring site teams uphold high standards of record keeping and reporting.
- Monitor project scope and proactively manage changes to prevent project creep, ensuring works remain aligned with programme and contractual requirements.
- Take off, schedule and manage material requirements, while identifying opportunities to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
- Support the implementation of Business Management System processes, including plant ordering, workforce planning and site administration activities.
- Build and maintain professional relationships with client representatives, suppliers and subcontractors, demonstrating an awareness of NEC and other standard forms of contract.
- Foster a "Right First Time" culture by encouraging accountability, continuous improvement and high standards of workmanship throughout the team.
- Assist with accident and incident investigations, implementing lessons learned and driving continuous improvements in site safety performance.
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Who we're looking for
- Proven experience delivering large-scale civil engineering or infrastructure projects, with a strong background in earthworks, deep drainage and reinforced concrete construction.
- Demonstrable experience leading site teams, including direct labour, Gangers, Foremen and subcontractors, to achieve safe and efficient project delivery.
- Ability to take ownership of a section of works from planning and execution through to successful completion and handover.
- A proactive, solution-focused approach, with the ability to assess risks, evaluate options and implement effective solutions to site challenges.
- Experience working in fast-paced project environments, managing multiple priorities and delivering against demanding programme deadlines.
- Strong understanding of health, safety and environmental requirements, with a commitment to maintaining the highest standards on site.
- Experience planning resources, coordinating subcontractors and driving productivity while maintaining quality and programme objectives.
- Knowledge of quality assurance processes, construction specifications, inspection and test plans, and the delivery of works to agreed tolerances.
- Awareness of NEC contracts and experience working collaboratively with clients, suppliers and subcontractors to achieve project objectives.
- Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to motivate teams, build positive working relationships and foster a "Right First Time" culture.
- Experience managing project scope, identifying potential project creep and ensuring works remain aligned with contractual and programme requirements.
- Full UK driving licence and valid CSCS Card.
Why work for us
Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.
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Benefits
As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn’t rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You’ll have the freedom to shape the package that’s right for you and your life. Here are some of our key benefits:
- Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
- 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata)
- Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave
- Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more…
About Us
With a strong track record of delivery, our civils teams connect communities through infrastructure projects in the highways, public realm, rail, flood and coastal defence, and industrial sectors across England and Wales.
Diversity and inclusion
At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit www.balfourbeatty.com/diversityandinclusion
To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture we are members of WISE, enei, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit: https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/
We are looking to continually improve our resourcing process and ensure that it is fair and inclusive for all. If you have any feedback on the process, please share this with us at: candidaterecruitmentqueries@balfourbeatty.com
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