Principal Contractor Site Supervisor in Birmingham

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

This is a fantastic opportunity to step into a hands‑on, high‑impact role supporting National Grid substation ground investigation projects across the UK. As a Site Supervisor, you’ll be at the centre of day‑to‑day site delivery, ensuring work is carried out safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards. You’ll oversee contractors, coordinate activities, manage logistics, and act as a key link between project managers, engineers, and client representatives. Working within a highly regulated environment, you’ll help ensure full compliance with CDM Regulations, National Grid Safety Rules, and company HSE procedures - making safety your top priority. This role offers the chance to contribute to nationally significant infrastructure while developing your expertise in a fast‑moving, technically rich environment.

This role requires someone who is flexible and mobile, with a willingness to travel and work away from home when needed and a full UK driving licence.

Key Responsibilities

• Health, Safety & Environment: Deliver daily briefings and toolbox talks, enforce RAMS and Permit to Work systems, ensure compliance with CDM Regulations 2015, National Grid Safety Rules, PPE requirements, safe access/egress, and environmental controls, and stop work where unsafe practices are identified.
• Site Supervision & Coordination: Supervise subcontractors and direct workforce, plan and coordinate daily activities to meet programme milestones, manage site logistics including deliveries, plant and access, and ensure all works follow approved drawings, specifications, and National Grid standards (NGTP, TS, etc.).
• Stakeholder Liaison: Work closely with Project Managers, Engineers, and client representatives including National Grid and DNOs to ensure smooth communication and alignment.
• Quality Assurance: Carry out inspections and sign‑offs, support the development of Inspection & Test Plans and quality records, ensure all works meet required standards, and identify and report defects or non‑conformances.
• Programme Delivery: Monitor progress against schedules, escalate delays, risks, or issues to senior management, and assist in planning phased works, outages, and shutdowns.
• Documentation & Reporting: Maintain accurate site records including daily diaries, permits, and inspection reports, provide regular updates to the Site or Project Manager, and ensure all documentation meets audit requirements.

Here's what you'll need

• Proven experience supervising works on High voltage substations (132kV – 400kV preferred)
• Strong knowledge of National Grid standards and procedures and CDM Regulations and HSE compliance
• Experience working in live substation environments
• Relevant electrical or engineering qualification (HNC/HND or equivalent)
• SMSTS (Site Management Safety Training Scheme)
• CSCS Card (Supervisory/Manager level)
• First Aid at Work
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• National Grid Person / Competent Person (desirable)
• IOSH / NEBOSH (desirable)

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to travel and work away from home if required
• Flexibility to work outages, weekends, or night shifts where necessary
• Full UK driving licence

Why Jacobs?

People are Jacobs’ greatest asset, and we offer a competitive package to retain and attract the best talent. In addition to the benefits you’d expect, UK employees also receive free single medical cover and digital GP service, family-friendly benefits such as enhanced parental leave pay and free membership of employee assistance and parental programmes, plus reimbursement towards relevant professional development and memberships.

We also give back to our communities through our Collectively program which incorporates matched-funding, paid volunteering time and charitable donations.

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging.

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit https//www.vercida.com/uk/employers/jacobs to view and access our roles.

As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.