Sub Agent

VolkerWessels UK; Preston; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

VolkerStevin, part of VolkerWessels UK, is recruiting a Sub Agent to support delivery of water infrastructure projects across the United Utilities AMP8 Framework. You will lead site operations, manage safety and quality, and coordinate MEICA and civil works with the project team.

Ideal candidates will have Sub Agent or similar experience in civil engineering or utilities, with a background in water projects, strong communication, planning, and subcontractor management, plus a full driving

Qualifications

• Experience in a Sub Agent, Site Agent, Senior Engineer, or similar role.
• Background within civil engineering, utilities, water, wastewater, or infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of health, safety, environmental, and quality requirements.
• Experience managing subcontractors and coordinating multidisciplinary construction activities.
• Excellent communication, planning, and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to identify and manage project risks, opportunities, and change.
• A proactive and collaborative approach to project delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage site operations throughout the construction phase.
• Drive a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all SHEQ requirements, company procedures, and industry legislation.
• Produce, review, and monitor RAMS, ITPs, Site Management Plans, and Environmental Control Plans.
• Manage temporary works, lifting operations, excavation activities, and site authorisations.
• Identify and manage project risks, opportunities, and changes, escalating where required.
• Monitor and manage construction programmes and short-term look-ahead plans.
• Coordinate site activities through regular planning and progress meetings
• Manage subcontractors and supply chain partners from pre-start through to completion.
• Support procurement, labour, and plant planning to ensure effective project delivery.
• Build strong relationships with United Utilities representatives, operational teams, and key project stakeholders.
• Produce weekly progress reports and maintain accurate project records, including as-built documentation.
• Drive quality standards and ensure timely closure of defects, NCRs, and outstanding works.
• Coordinate design deliverables, provide constructability input, and support technical query resolution.
• Support successful project commissioning, handover, and close-out activities.

Skills

Sub Agent experience

Civil engineering

HSE & Quality

Subcontractor management

Communication & planning

Risk & change management

Collaborative delivery

Education

Degree/HNC in civil engineering

Tools

AUTOCAD

Microsoft Office

Job description

Part of the VolkerWessels UK Group, VolkerStevin is an industry-leading civil engineering business, providing complex and innovative engineering solutions across a wide range of sectors including maritime, flood risk management, defence, energy, water and regeneration. Collaborating with, and drawing on the specialist skills of the group's business units we deliver a truly integrated, multidisciplinary service.

VolkerStevin is recruiting a number of Sub Agents to support the delivery of current and future projects across the United Utilities AMP8 Framework.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering essential water and wastewater infrastructure projects that will benefit communities across the region. Working as part of a collaborative project team, you'll help deliver safe, high-quality construction solutions while developing your career within a leading infrastructure business.

The Role

As a Sub Agent, you will be responsible for the safe, efficient, and successful delivery of construction works on assigned projects or sections of larger schemes. Reporting to the Project Manager and Contracts Manager, you'll lead site activities, coordinate civil engineering and MEICA installation works, and ensure projects are delivered safely, on programme, and to the highest quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage site operations throughout the construction phase.
• Drive a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all SHEQ requirements, company procedures, and industry legislation.
• Produce, review, and monitor RAMS, ITPs, Site Management Plans, and Environmental Control Plans.
• Manage temporary works, lifting operations, excavation activities, and site authorisations.
• Identify and manage project risks, opportunities, and changes, escalating where required.
• Monitor and manage construction programmes and short-term look-ahead plans.
• Coordinate site activities through regular planning and progress meetings
• Manage subcontractors and supply chain partners from pre-start through to completion.
• Support procurement, labour, and plant planning to ensure effective project delivery.
• Build strong relationships with United Utilities representatives, operational teams, and key project stakeholders.
• Produce weekly progress reports and maintain accurate project records, including as-built documentation.
• Drive quality standards and ensure timely closure of defects, NCRs, and outstanding works.
• Coordinate design deliverables, provide constructability input, and support technical query resolution.
• Support successful project commissioning, handover, and close-out activities.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for motivated construction professionals who are passionate about delivering infrastructure projects safely and efficiently.

You will ideally have:

• Experience in a Sub Agent, Site Agent, Senior Engineer, or similar role.
• A background within civil engineering, utilities, water, wastewater, or infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of health, safety, environmental, and quality requirements.
• Experience managing subcontractors and coordinating multidisciplinary construction activities.
• Excellent communication, planning, and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to identify and manage project risks, opportunities, and change.
• A proactive and collaborative approach to project delivery.

Why Join VolkerStevin?

At VolkerStevin, you'll be part of a business delivering some of the UK's most important infrastructure projects. You'll have the opportunity to work on long-term AMP8 programmes, collaborate with experienced industry professionals, and develop your career within a company that values safety, quality, innovation, and continuous improvement.

About you

• Performing the role of a temporary works supervisor / co-ordinator and exposure to implementing temporary works solutions.
• Management of safe systems of works and quality management.
• Management of Permit to Excavate, Permit to Load and Strike and Services coordination.
• Excellent IT knowledge including use of AUTOCAD and Microsoft suite.
• Degree/HNC, or equivalent, in civil engineering.
• Previous experience at Sub Agent / Agent level.
• Ability to challenge designs and resolve problems to conclusion.
• Focused on driving value out of design and improving on subcontractor tendered costs.
• Ability to track, monitor and manage commercial and quality change events.
• Full Driving Licence.

If your past experience doesn't match perfectly with every requirement of the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for us.

Why work with us?

VolkerStevin is under the umbrella of VolkerWessels UK which is a multidisciplinary contractor that delivers innovative engineering solutions across the civil engineering and construction sectors including rail, highways, airport, marine, energy, water, and environmental infrastructure.

By utilising the specialist skills of each business unit within VolkerWessels UK, VolkerStevin are able to ensure our staff provide unrivalled resources and expertise to our clients.

Fairness, inclusion and respect

We believe in pushing boundaries in the pursuit of fairness, inclusion and respect. So, our teams can be comfortable that, whatever their background, VolkerWessels UK is a place where they can be themselves and thrive.

Additional information

Note for Recruitment Agencies

Our preference is to hire directly, and we will reach out to our Preferred Supplier List (PSL) agencies if this particular role qualifies for release.

VolkerWessels UK is committed to maintaining healthy, safe and productive working conditions for its entire staff and therefore a drugs & alcohol screening is mandatory for all.