Assistant Branch Manager - Principal Engineer

The Assistant Office Manager supports the Office Manager in leading office operations, financial performance, personnel management, and strategic initiatives. This role serves as a key member of the office leadership team with responsibility for supporting multiple departments, managers, and operational functions while ensuring alignment with company policies, procedures, and objectives. The Assistant Office Manager helps drive operational consistency, employee development, client satisfaction, and business growth while serving as a leadership resource for managers and staff throughout the office. The role is designed to develop future Office Managers and organizational leaders while demonstrating ECS Core Values. Responsibilities Leadership & People Management Supports the Branch Manager in leading branch-wide operations, including multiple departments, groups, and satellite officesProvides direct supervision, coaching, mentoring, guidance, and accountability for Department and Group ManagersLeads performance management processes, including goal setting, evaluations, coaching, promotions, improvement plans, and succession planning for the officeLeads recruiting, onboarding, training, and retention efforts for the officeLeads a collaborative, high-performance culture that emphasizes accountability, professional growth, and employee engagementBuilds and leads an effective organizational structure aligned with departmental workload, growth objectives, and service offeringsCommunicates branch, subsidiary, and corporate initiatives to staff and supports their implementation at the local levelServes as a primary ambassador of company values and leadership expectations with the branch Technical & Project Oversight Assists with branch-wide operational consistency, ensuring adherence to company procedures, standards, and risk management practicesOversees the departments and groups and their ability to perform work properlyProvides senior technical review and oversight of key deliverables, reports, and complex projects, as appropriateEnsures consistent application of quality control, safety practices, and standard-of-care expectations across the branchServes as an operational resource for resolving scheduling conflicts, staffing constraints, and interdepartmental coordination issuesMaintains awareness of industry standards, codes, and best practices relevant to the departmentSupports the development and improvement of technical practices, training programs, and standardization initiatives for the officeCoordinates with leadership to align technical practices and resource utilization across officesSupports, develops, and leads branch-level standardization, training, and continuous improvement initiatives Financial & Operational Management Supports the Branch Manager in overseeing the office's financial performance, including revenue, profitability, utilization, backlog, overhead control, and key performance indicators (KPIs)Oversees invoicing, contract compliance, change management, and collections across departments and/or groupsSupports staffing forecasts and workforce planning to balance efficiency, growth, and employee developmentEnsures compliance with company policies, procedures, and risk management practicesShares responsibility for office profit and loss (P&L) performanceAssists in the development and execution of office budgets, revenue targets, financial goals, and business plansMonitors financial key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational metrics to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement Client & Business Development Develops, maintains, and grows strong client relationships within the marketLeads office business development efforts in coordination with office leadership and business developmentReviews and contributes to proposals, scopes of work, schedules, and fee strategies in accordance with company policiesRepresents the firm in professional organizations, industry events, and client meetingsIdentifies market trends and opportunities to execute growth strategies aligned with branch and company goalsServes as a primary client relationship manager for the office Safety, Compliance, & Alignment Develops and models a strong safety culture within the officeEnsures staff compliance with safety policies, training requirements, regulatory standards, and company proceduresLeads continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, innovation, and operational excellenceCollaborates with other branches, departments, and support teams to leverage company-wide resources, expertise, and best practicesAligns office objectives with subsidiary and company strategiesParticipates in leadership meetings, company initiatives, and committeesLeads and communicates subsidiary initiatives to branch staff and oversees successful Required Qualifications 10 years of related experience with a degree or 14 years of related experience without a degreeHigh school diploma or GED requiredBachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering and Management, Materials Science Engineering, Geology, or a related field is preferredAn MS in Engineering or an MBA is preferredMaintain licenses and/or certifications as necessary for the work performed or managed per ECS Senior Technical Staff Policies and ProceduresIf driving for or on behalf of any ECS subsidiary, a valid driver's license is requiredVery strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skillsAdvanced understanding of engineering consulting operations, project execution, and professional services business modelsVery strong ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environmentVery strong judgement, problem-solving ability, and attention to detailVery strong ability to work effectively with clients, direct reports, peers, and supervisors, as well as independentlyVery strong ability to build a teamClient-focused mindset with very strong business development skillsVery strong financial acumen with demonstrated responsibility for P&L performanceVery strong ability to balance technical excellence, people leadership, and business objectivesVery Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence and align teamsStrong strategic thinking and execution capability Military Qualifications The following US Military ranks will qualify for this position IF they also meet the education, certification, and licenses requirements from the above section titled "Required Qualifications":E-7/E-8/O-3 ECS Group of Companies (ECS) was founded in 1988 with the goal to raise the standards of professional engineering consulting. Today, we are a leader in geotechnical, construction materials, environmental and building science + infrastructure consulting services. We are employee-owned with more than 3,200 employees in 125 offices and testing facilities coast to coast. ECS is currently ranked #60 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms (April 2026), #148 in Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms (October 2025) and #38 in Zweig Group’s Hot Firm List (June 2026). For additional information about ECS, visit: www.ecslimited.com. ECS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To learn more, click here.