Senior General Foreperson

Job Description

Costain has won extensive work across the water sector this year to support the AMP 8 investment cycle. We have been appointed by United Utilities as one of seven partners to the Enterprise, delivering £5.5 bn of projects in the Asset Management Period 8 (AMP8) between 2025 – 2030 and AMP 9 (2030 – 2035). Our scope is to provide project management, design, construction and commissioning services on design‑and‑build schemes throughout the North West and Cumbria region covered by United Utilities.

Projects vary in value, covering both infrastructure and non‑infrastructure assets on water and wastewater sites.

We are looking for an experienced Senior General Foreperson to sit within the Project Delivery team and drive delivery through the project both in pre‑construction and on‑site delivery. As our new Senior General Foreperson, you’ll be responsible for the operational delivery on a specific project supporting pre‑construction buildability and on‑site delivery, supported by a wider delivery team. This is a senior position within the project team.

The role requires an individual with strong strategic thinking and the ability to engage and communicate with a wide range of stakeholders, including client teams, designers and direct reports, to drive safety and quality delivery at all stages.

• Ensure the coordination of a section of works on a project.
• Communicate between all parts of the operation team, including suppliers, subcontractors, engineering, safety and environmental, and the client’s team.
• Build and develop the team to deliver all aspects of the project requirements; identify training requirements, review the performance of the workforce, and ensure delivery of briefings.
• Ensure a high standard of quality on the works to meet the specification requirements “first time” and minimise rework.
• Ensure accurate, legible, and up‑to‑date allocation sheets are recorded and provided at shift close with delivery tickets and plant returns to the engineering and commercial teams.
• Ensure all records—for example inspections, works permits and briefings—are up to date and in place.
• Carry out regular safety and environmental inspections and implement recommended courses of action as identified from progress monitoring and management inspections.
• Keep a full and accurate daily site diary, including any changes/variations, subcontractors’ attendance, and records of work‑related discussions with client/designer/RE/project team.

• Previous experience of managing multidisciplinary projects, including civils and MEICA (preferably in the water sector).
• A collaborative manager experienced in leading and delivering projects of work, including water infrastructure or large‑scale linear projects.
• Experience in leading multi‑contractor and multi‑disciplined teams.
• Ability to review information, consult with relevant persons and organisations to make agile decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to outperform against a tight budget through effective programme development, risk and opportunity management, and use of production and innovation.
• Experience in stakeholder management; including customers, client, site operators, landowners and utility companies.
• SMSTS qualification.
• Relevant CSCS card.
• Lift Supervisor certification.

Costain helps to improve people’s lives with integrated, leading‑edge, smart infrastructure solutions across the UK’s energy, water, transportation and defence markets. We help our clients improve their business performance by increasing capacity, improving customer service, safeguarding security, enhancing resilience, decarbonising and delivering increased efficiency. Our vision is to be the UK’s leading smart infrastructure solutions company. We achieve this by focusing on blue‑chip clients whose major spending plans are underpinned by strategic national needs, regulatory commitments, legislation or essential performance requirements.

We offer our clients leading‑edge solutions that are digitally optimised through the following five services, which cover the whole lifecycle of their assets: future‑shaping strategic consultancy; consultancy and advisory; digital technology solutions; asset optimisation and complex programme delivery.

We are a Disability Confident employer and offer an interview to any applicant who discloses they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer.