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.

What you'll be doing

• To safely and effectively set their gang(s) to work, planning and assigning
  duties and briefing their staff on what is required to achieve objectives set, on
  emergency procedures, on potential risks and on precautions to be taken to
  minimise those risks.


• To liaise with other foremen and with site engineers on progress with the job to
  help coordinate activities across tower-sites., identifying equipment and
  material needs and ensuring that they are delivered to (or collected from) site
  in a timely manner


• Ensure that accidents and near-miss incidents are promptly reported giving
  accurate details established at the time of the incident, assist in investigations
  when required


• To deliver toolbox talks, safety alerts and safety briefings to their team


• To directly supervise operatives on a day-to-day basis, establishing the
  methods to be used, ensuring that appropriate methods and PPE disciplines are followed and assisting their gang in problem-solving when activities do not
  go according to plan


• To ensure that appropriate safety precautions and safety signage are set up
  before construction work commences, that winches and other machines are
  correctly positioned

To 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 to safely set their gang to work

Demonstrate knowledge of all common OHL including activities including:

• Earthing


• Piloting work


• Platforms


• Running out conductors


• Clamping in


• Blocking out


• Jumpering


• Spacering


• Jointing


• Downleads

To 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.

Who we're looking for

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

Why work for us

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.

Why join us?

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...

About us

Balfour Beatty's Power Transmission & Distribution teams work with regional, national and international electricity network owners and operators to provide technical engineering solutions across the full spectrum of the electricity grid, including overhead lines, cabling, substations and distribution networks.

From scoping and feasibility, to design, construction and on-going maintenance, our in-house experts, flexible resources and industry-leading innovations support customers in the development of some of the UK's most ambitious power transmission and distribution projects.

Diversity and inclusion

At Balfour Beatty, we want everyone to be able to thrive and achieve their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. We're making great progress through our Value Everyone DEI Action Plan, but we know we've got more to do. Find out more about our values and DEI initiatives.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this role will be offered an interview.

We are committed to our processes being barrier-free and will support adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. Please let the recruiter for this role know if you require any adjustments.

We're looking to continually improve our recruitment process, so if you have any feedback, please share this with us via candidaterecruitmentenquiries@balfourbeatty.com