Overview
Agent – Bury
Job Description
Due to recent success securing Simister Island improvements delivery framework, we are looking to hire an Agent with highways infrastructure background.
Costain has been appointed as Delivery Integration Partner by National Highways (NH) for delivery of the £240m improvement of the Simister Island M60/M62/M66 interchange (M60 Junction 18), north of Manchester. As Delivery Integration Partner, Costain will overhaul the busy junction involving complex traffic management to keep tens of thousands of vehicles moving whilst construction takes place.
The works consist of:
- A new free flow ‘northern loop’ link road to take drivers directly from M60 eastbound to M60 southbound without exiting the motorway
- M66 mainline southbound widening and southbound slip road realignment to allow for construction of the northern loop
- A widened connector road from M60 northbound to M60 westbound – replacing the current single lane with two lanes
- Adding an extra lane in each direction on the M60 Junctions 17 to 18 (increasing from 4 to 5 lanes) while retaining the hard shoulders
- Upgrades to drainage, lighting, motorway technology, signage and signalling.
Reporting to the Senior Agent, the Pavements Site Agent will be responsible for the safe, efficient and compliant delivery of all road pavement and associated highway works across their allocated section of the M60 Simister Island scheme. The role will liaise with the earthworks team for the construction of earthworks formation, capping, sub-base and lead the pavement layers, kerbing, vehicle restraint systems, concrete safety barrier, road markings and associated highway infrastructure, ensuring works are delivered in accordance with the Specification for Highway Works, DMRB requirements, project quality standards and the Development Consent Order.
The Pavements Site Agent will manage engineering and supervisory teams, subcontractors and suppliers, driving programme, safety, quality and commercial performance while maintaining effective coordination with Temporary Traffic Management, Structures, Drainage, Utilities, Technology, Commercial, Design and Stakeholder teams. The role is accountable for delivering right first time construction, maintaining motorway network availability, minimising disruption to the travelling public and achieving successful handover of completed highway assets to National Highways.
Applicants with motorway experience are preferred.
The role is c. 3 years of construction starting in June 2026. Post-construction support for handover into operations will also be required.
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Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
- Ensure all works are carried out in accordance with The Costain Way.
- Put safety above all else and lead by example.
- Promote a Right First-Time approach to quality and avoid rework.
- Manage a team of engineering staff and collaborate with other members of the project team.
- Support the Senior Agent and Construction Manager in all construction matters relating to your discipline including handover.
- Provide planning and procurement support, implementing product control and all related subcontract activities.
- Manage, supervise, train and mentor the site team to enable them to optimise their work contribution.
- Review contractual agreements, working methods, programme and forecast costs with the Senior Agent, General Foreman and Subcontractors / Suppliers identifying any inaccuracies or inconsistencies, and feedback any changes made to the QA and QS teams.
- Develop programmes and forecast budgets, assess actual programme and productivity achieved and review weekly, taking action where appropriate, and reporting any changes to the Senior Agent and QS department.
- Be fully conversant with subcontractors contract conditions, develop job specific subcontract conditions and manage the subcontractors account with the QS team
- Requisitioning resources in a timely manner to ensure that they are correctly specified and readily available so as not to impede the construction programme.
- Communicate to the QA and QS teams non-conformances and any instructions received from the client / designer / RE’s staff. Ensure that comprehensive records of resources employed on additional works are maintained.
- 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.
- Ensure that inspection and test plans, risk assessments and method statements for the control of the works are reviewed, approved, and adhered to.
- Keep abreast of developments in professional field
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
Essential:
- Well documented experience in construction delivery
- Knowledge and experience of relevant standards and procedures
- Experience of working within a Principal Contractor environment
- Knowledge and experience of Temporary Works procedures
- Behavioural Management training
- Understanding of Engineering Principles
- Knowledge of forms of contract through experience and formal training.
- Extensive technical knowledge of construction techniques and best practices.
- Computer competence (MS Word, Excel, Document control system).
Desirable
- Understanding of handover processes
- Motorway / highways environment construction experience
Qualifications
Essential:
- Degree level qualification (or equivalent) in a Civil Engineering allied subject or HND in Civil Engineering
- Vocational training in Engineering
- Relevant CSCS Card
- Training in Health & Safety and Environmental management (SMSTS or equivalent H&S qualification)
Desirable:
- Computer competence (Primavera software, Synchro).
- Professionally qualified or working towards professional qualification
About Us
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 will 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. Our culture and values underpin everything we do.
Costain appreciate the time and effort taken when applying for one of our positions but, due to the high volume of responses, we are unable to provide individual feedback on candidates at application phase.
We do share individual feedback following an interview .
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that disclose they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer.
It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people.
For more details please go to the Disability Confident website:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/disability-confident-campaign
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
