Foreman - Overhead Lines

About the role

Balfour Beatty’s Power Transmission & Distribution team is seeking an experienced Foreman – Overhead Lines (OHL) to lead a small team of 4–6 OHL Technicians
, supporting our growing portfolio of work across Scotland
. You will play a key role in the construction, maintenance, and repair of high‑voltage overhead power transmission lines, working across live networks and project environments.

This is a hands‑on leadership role where safety, quality, and productivity are critical. While much of our work is driven by long‑term investment in Scotland’s network, the role requires a flexible approach, including working away from home when required
, as projects develop, move location, or evolve over time.

• To safely and effectively set their gang(s) to work: plan and assign duties, brief staff on objectives, emergency procedures, potential risks, and precautions to minimise those risks.
• To liaise with other foremen and site engineers on progress, coordinate activities across tower-sites, identify equipment and material needs, and ensure timely delivery or collection.
• Ensure that accidents and near‑miss incidents are promptly reported with accurate details and assist in investigations when required.
• Deliver toolbox talks, safety alerts, and safety briefings to the team.
• Directly supervise operatives on a day‑to‑day basis, establish methods, ensure appropriate methods and PPE disciplines are followed, and assist the gang in problem‑solving when activities deviate from plan.
• Ensure that appropriate safety precautions and signage are set up before work commences, and that winches and other machines are correctly positioned.

Act as a “Competent Person” able to receive and interpret Permits to Work, Authorities to Work Near Existing Services (AWNES), risk assessments, and method statements, and set the gang to work safely.

Demonstrate knowledge of all common OHL activities including:

• Earthing
• Piloting work
• Platforms
• Running out conductors
• Clamping in
• Blocking out
• Jumpering
• Spacering
• Jointing
• Downleads

Demonstrate correct use of common OHL equipment including:

• PPE
• Rope and knots
• Fittings assembly
• Pull-lifts
• Tirfors
• Bonds and slings
• Clamps
• Toggles
• Hand tools
• Protection systems – fall arrest
• Permanent attachment
• Demarcation
• Climbing
• Spacer trolley
• Lifting and lowering
• Stockings and J Stops

• Understand and use the safe systems of work to be employed at the work site.
• Only operate plant with the correct authorisation and training.
• Wear the correct PPE at all times and use any specific PPE as required or instructed.

The following qualities/experience are essential:

• Full clean driving licence
• Experience of working on a variety of construction project types.
• Knowledge of the Power industry
• Ability to work in a team
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Able to undertake work in high pressure situations
• Flexibility – Willing to travel and work across the UK
• Aptitude for working at heights
• Responsibility – a strong attitude towards health and safety

The following qualities/experience are desirable:

• Valid Plant Tickets (will be an advantage)
• OHL Authorisations (will be an advantage)
• Emergency First Aid at Work

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.

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

Balfour Beatty’s Power Transmission & Distribution teams work with regional, national and international electricity…