Joseph Gallagher Limited
Site Manager - HDD experience
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Site Manager (Horizontal Directional Drilling) – As Permanent or Contract Basis
Location: Travel to multiple locations + base at Retford
Start Date: Immediate
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Site Manager with HDD (Horizontal Directional Drilling) expertise. The successful candidate will lead and deliver trenchless utility installation projects, ensuring operations run safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards.
Key Responsibilities
Site & Operational Management
- Manage daily site activities from mobilisation to completion on HDD projects
- Coordinate site teams, subcontractors, plant, and materials to deliver on time and budget
- Monitor site productivity, problem-solve operational challenges, and maintain programme alignment
- Ensure all works comply with project specifications, budget, and scope
HDD Operations
- Plan, supervise, and execute HDD activities, including:
- Pilot bores
- Reaming processes
- Pipe pullback
- Interpret bore plans, utility drawings, and geotechnical data
- Oversee drilling rig setup, tool selection, and alignment, including:
- Guidance systems (walkover/gyro tracking)
- Bore accuracy monitoring
- Monitor drilling parameters:
- Torque and pressure
- Fluid returns
- Manage drilling fluid systems, recycling, and disposal (including frac-out containment)
- Mitigate unplanned returns (frac-outs) and adapt procedures accordingly
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Health, Safety & Compliance
- Enforce strict adherence to Health & Safety policies
- Prepare and implement RAMS (Risk Assessments & Method Statements)
- Conduct site inductions, toolbox talks, and safety inspections
- Ensure compliance with CDM Regulations and industry standards
- Investigate incidents, implement corrective actions, and report findings
Planning & Coordination
- Liaise with clients, engineers, local authorities, and stakeholders to align workflows
- Manage permits, traffic control, and site access in a high-impact or constrained environment
- Optimise resource scheduling to ensure cost efficiency and minimise downtime
- Ensure materials and equipment availability when and where needed
Commercial & Reporting
- Maintain accurate site records, daily reports, and progress updates
- Monitor project costs and assist in budget control
- Support valuation processes, variations, and cost forecasting
- Identify inefficiencies and propose resource optimisation solutions
Team Leadership
- Supervise and lead HDD crews, foremen, and external subcontractors
- Allocate tasks to optimise performance and productivity
- Provide technical mentorship to team members at all levels
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About The Company
Joseph Gallagher Group
A family-owned civil engineering business delivering specialised services while prioritising client satisfaction. Built on principles of honesty, transparency, and quality, the Group delivers measurable outcomes for infrastructure projects across the UK.
LIFE Safety Culture
Committed to a transformative shift in Health, Safety and Wellbeing, the award-winning LIFE programme now represents the company’s core values. Through continuous training, transparent policies, and leadership by example, workplace safety remains at the forefront of all decision-making.
Disability Confident Committed
The Group is an accredited Disability Confident employer and recognises diversity as a strength. All individuals are treated fairly and equalily, regardless of race, religion, gender, age, disability, or sexuality.
We strive to make recruitment accessible. If you require adjustments to participate in the application process, please contact our HR team at [HR@josephgallagher.co.uk].
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