Lead Hand​/Ganger Groundworker

Reporting to Site Management, you will lead and supervise a groundworks gang across construction sites predominantly within the water industry. You will play a key role in maintaining high standards of productivity, quality, and health & safety.

At JN Bentley Ltd, we are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Lead Hand / Ganger to lead a groundworks gang based in, and around, the Colchester area, working across the wider region on our sites, preferably able to join with a ready‑made gang. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a strong background in civils and groundworks to join a well‑established and growing business.

You will have a proactive attitude towards work, health, and safety, with experience working within the water industry and general civil work, concreting, deep drainage, and pipe laying.

JN Bentley is part of Mott Mac Donald Bentley, a leading civil engineering and construction company delivering first‑class infrastructure solutions across the UK. With over 2800 employees and a turnover in excess of £500 m, we continue to grow by investing in our people and delivering quality for our clients.

• Proven experience managing a gang working on civils projects.
• Ideally part of a ready‑made gang including experienced skilled and general operatives.
• Strong health & safety focus with experience working within a reporting culture.
• Experience in general civil works, including concrete pours, deep drainage and pipe laying.
• Current CSCS, CPCS / NOCN or NPORS with NVQ and relevant plant tickets.
• Site Supervisor or Site Management training.
• Full UK driving licence essential.
• National Water Hygiene card.
• Thames Water Passport.
• Slinger / Signaller or crane lift supervisor.
• Confined spaces City & Guilds.
• Plus any other plant tickets.
• 3‑day First Aid.

• Competitive rates of pay.
• In‑house career development programmes and progression opportunities.
• Fully funded industry‑recognised training.
• Mileage paid on travel.
• Van driver supplement & company van.
• 30 days holiday (incl. bank holidays).
• Enhanced maternity/paternity pay.
• Uplift and subsistence pay with accommodation provided for working away.
• Pension scheme.
• Employee referral scheme.
• Westfield Health (cash health plan).
• Occupational health checks and flu jabs.
• Cycle to work schemes and Specsavers vouchers.
• Company match funding and payroll giving.