Sub Agent, Grays

About The Role

Our Balfour Beatty Highways business has a terrific opportunity for a Sub‑Agent to join our £1.2 billion Lower Thames Crossing project, consisting of 43 bridges, including viaducts and 17 km of complex highways construction, complex utility diversions, and a scheme‑wide, industry leading approach to carbon reduction.

As a Sub Agent, you would lead and control a section of the works, according to a specific discipline, and take responsibility for the management of a team of Section Engineers & Site Engineers within the same discipline.

Why this role?

• Impact at scale: Contribute to one of the UK’s most significant highways programmes, improving connectivity for millions.
• Lead and develop others: Manage and mentor a team of Section and Site Engineers; set the standard for delivery and safety.
• Build smarter, greener: Help us pioneer lower‑carbon construction and leave a lasting social value legacy.

What you’ll be doing

• Own a defined section of works within your discipline—from planning to handover.
• Drive Zero Harm: review MSRAs, lead incident investigations, complete field audits and ensure robust control documentation.
• Oversee temporary works, permits to work (incl. confined space & hot works) and quality documentation (NCRs, materials approvals, handover packs).
• Guide setting‑out and technical problem‑solving; liaise with designers to resolve issues.
• Track performance: build resourced stage programmes, monitor KPIs and productivity, and support commercial recovery.
• Lead and coach your team—setting expectations, giving feedback, and building capability.

Who we’re looking for What You’ll Bring

• Proven Sub‑Agent (or strong Section Engineer stepping up) experience on highways/major civils (e.g. earthworks, drainage, pavements, structures, roadworks).
• Strong H&S leadership; confident with MSRA reviews, investigations and site audits.
• Technical depth in engineering control and temporary works coordination.
• Quality mindset (green files/handover), programme literacy and commercial awareness.
• Clear communicator, effective people manager and problem‑solver.
• CSCS and SSSTS/SMSTS (or working towards), plus a full UK driving licence.

Ready to build something that lasts?

Apply now and help us deliver a safer, smarter, lower‑carbon highways network.

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.

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 Highways business delivers major schemes including motorway upgrade programmes, complex national infrastructure projects and regional investment programme works for National Highways. We have a strong orderbook and a positive pipeline of opportunities, we put the road user at the heart of everything we do. We work safely, reduce carbon emissions and add social value to the communities within which we work.

Diversity and inclusion

At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit

To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture we are members of WISE, ENEI, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long‑term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence ‘Employer Recognition Scheme’ and actively encourages applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long‑term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit:

We are looking to continually improve our resourcing process and ensure that it is fair and inclusive for all. If you have any feedback on the process, please share this with us at: