Geotechnical Department Manager

About the role

ECS Limited is seeking an experienced Geotechnical Department Manager to lead the geotechnical engineering team in our [CITY] office. This role is accountable for the overall operations, technical execution, and financial performance of the geotechnical department, including project delivery, staff development, client satisfaction, and business growth. The Geotechnical Department Manager aligns department activities with company standards, safety expectations, and strategic objectives while demonstrating ECS Core Values.

Responsibilities

• Leadership & People Management
  • Directly lead engineers, Project Managers, technicians, and support staff
  • Own performance management, coaching, career development, and succession planning
  • Build a high-performing, accountable, and collaborative team culture
  • Lead recruiting, hiring, and retention strategies
  • Develop future leaders
  • Build and maintain an effective department structure aligned with workload, growth objectives, and service offerings
  • Communicate branch, subsidiary, and corporate initiatives to staff and support their implementation
• Technical & Project Oversight
  • Ensure quality, consistency, and technical excellence across all department projects
  • Oversee project execution through delegation to Project Managers and technical leaders
  • Provide escalation support for complex or high-risk projects
  • Ensure projects meet standards for safety, quality, schedule, and budget
  • Align with Associate Principals/Principals on final technical review where required
  • Maintain awareness of industry standards, codes, and best practices
  • Support the development and improvement of technical practices, training programs, and initiatives
  • Coordinate with leadership to align technical practices and resource utilization
• Financial & Operational Management
  • Own department P&L performance (revenue, margin, utilization, backlog)
  • Develop and manage departmental budgets and forecasts
  • Monitor KPIs and drive performance improvement
  • Oversee invoicing, collections, and contract execution
  • Manage staffing levels and workload planning for efficiency and growth
  • Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and risk controls
• Client & Business Development
  • Lead client relationship management and department growth strategy
  • Develop new business opportunities and expand key client accounts
  • Oversee proposal development, pricing strategy, and scope definition
  • Represent the firm in external meetings, networking, and industry engagement
  • Drive sustained revenue growth and market presence
• Safety, Compliance, & Alignment
  • Promote and enforce a strong safety culture
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory standards and company procedures
  • Drive quality assurance and continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, innovation, and operational excellence
  • Collaborate with other departments and office leaders to share resources, expertise, and best practices
  • Align departmental objectives with office, subsidiary, and company strategies
  • Participate in leadership meetings, company initiatives, and committees as requested

Requirements

• 6 years of related experience with a degree or 10 years of related experience without a degree
• High school diploma or GED required
• Bachelor's and/or Master's of Science in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering and Management, Materials Science Engineering, Geology, or related field is preferred
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) or Professional Geologist (P.G.) license preferred
• If driving for or on behalf of any ECS subsidiary, a valid driver's license is required

Qualifications

• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Advanced understanding of engineering consulting operations and project execution
• Strong financial acumen (P&L, budgeting, forecasting, KPIs)
• Ability to manage multiple teams, priorities, and deadlines
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capability
• Client-focused mindset with demonstrated business development success
• Proficiency in geotechnical principles and regional conditions
• Ability to build, lead, and scale high-performing teams

Military Qualifications

The following US Military ranks will qualify for this position if they also meet the education, certification, and licenses requirements:

• E-6/E-7/O-2/O-3

About ECS Limited

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 facilities consulting services. We are employee-owned with more than 3,000 employees in 100+ 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 #50 in Zweig Group’s Hot Firm List (May 2025).