Site Manager - HDD experience

Location: Travel to multiple locations and office Retford

Start date is asap,

We are seeking an experienced Site Manager with Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) expertise to lead and deliver trenchless utility installation projects. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing all site operations, ensuring projects are completed safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standard

Key Responsibilities

Site & Operational Management

Manage daily site activities for HDD projects from mobilisation to completion

Coordinate site teams, subcontractors, plant, and materials

Ensure works are delivered in line with programme, budget, and specifications

Monitor site productivity and resolve operational issues

HDD Operations

Plan, supervise, and execute HDD activities including pilot bore, reaming, and pipe pullback

Interpret bore plans, utility drawings, and geotechnical data

Oversee drilling rig setup, tooling selection, and alignment

Monitor drilling parameters such as torque, pressure, and fluid returns

Manage drilling fluid systems, recycling, and disposal

Handle and mitigate frac-outs (inadvertent returns)

Ensure bore accuracy using tracking systems (walkover/gyro)

Health, Safety & Compliance

Enforce strict adherence to Health & Safety policies and procedures

Prepare and implement RAMS (Risk Assessments and Method Statements)

Conduct site inductions, toolbox talks, and safety inspections

Ensure compliance with CDM Regulations and relevant industry standards

Investigate incidents and implement corrective actions

Planning & Coordination

Liaise with clients, engineers, local authorities, and stakeholders

Coordinate permits, traffic management, and site access

Schedule works and manage resources efficiently

Ensure availability of materials and equipment

Commercial & Reporting

Maintain accurate site records, daily reports, and progress updates

Monitor project costs and assist with budget control

Support valuations, variations, and cost forecasting

Minimise downtime and ensure efficient resource use

Team Leadership

Supervise and lead HDD crews, foremen, and subcontractors

Allocate tasks and ensure high performance and productivity

Provide technical guidance and mentoring to team members

Company Background

The Joseph Gallagher Group is a family owned Civil Engineering business that delivers expertise whilst putting client satisfaction at the core of the business. Built on a personal reputation for honesty and quality, we understand the actions we take affect the communities and environments we operate in.

LIFE Culture

We're promoting a culture change within the industry and demonstrating initiatives to dramatically improve Health, Safety and Wellbeing. In 2014, we launched our award-winning cultural safety programme (LIFE) which is deeply embedded into the company’s DNA and core values.

Disability Confident Committed

We are a disability confident employer and we're committed to providing equal opportunities in employment. All individuals will be treated in a fair and equal manner and in accordance with the law regardless of gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation.

Reasonable Adjustments

We want to make our recruitment processes accessible to everyone, so if there is any way that we can support you to enable you to be the best you can, please contact the HR team at HR@josephgallagher.co.uk.