Site Agent (Rail)

Location: Cardiff
Salary: £55,000 – £65,000 + Package

The Company

Our client is a well-established civil engineering contractor operating across Wales, the English border counties, and the West of England. Their diverse portfolio includes infrastructure, highways & bridges, rail, utilities, water management, geotechnical works, and more.

Role Purpose

As Site Agent, you will lead and manage the on-site delivery of civil engineering and rail projects. You will ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, within programme and budget, and to the highest quality standards. The role requires strong leadership, commercial awareness, and the ability to maintain excellent relationships with clients, subcontractors, and internal teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the site team from mobilisation through construction to handover, ensuring safe and efficient project delivery.
• Ensure full compliance with HSQE procedures, including risk assessments, method statements, and SHEQ standards.
• Plan and manage site programmes, ensuring all milestones and deliverables are achieved.
• Oversee subcontractor procurement, coordination, and performance—managing packages effectively.
• Maintain strong client and stakeholder relationships, ensuring clear communication and high levels of satisfaction.
• Manage the financial and commercial performance of assigned schemes, including cost, margin, programme risk, and opportunities.
• Provide leadership and development to the site team, ensuring capability and performance align with project needs.

Person Specification

Essential

• Proven experience delivering civil engineering or infrastructure projects (e.g., highways, drainage, utilities, rail, general civils).
• Strong leadership and team-management capabilities with experience leading site teams and subcontractors.
• Sound commercial awareness: cost control, margins, subcontractor management, and programme performance.
• Strong understanding of HSQE, site safety, environmental and quality standards.
• Excellent organisational, planning, and communication skills.
• Relevant site certifications (e.g. CSCS, SMSTS).
• Preferably from a technical background with strong skills in tenders, work winning, programming, and preparation of construction programmes.

Desirable

• Civil engineering qualification (HNC/HND or Degree) or equivalent experience.
• Experience in highways, drainage, surfacing, or railway-related projects (rail civils, structures, etc.).
• Familiarity with NEC or similar contract forms, including knowledge of contract compliance and change control.
• Ability to work under pressure, solve problems effectively, and maintain high standards of safety and quality.

If you are interested and would like further details, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.