Operations Manager (Geotechnical and Materials Testing)

Responsibilities

• Provides overall leadership and direction for the branch, including all departments, service lines, and satellite offices
• Directs performance management processes, including goal setting, evaluations, coaching, promotions, improvement plans, and succession planning for the office
• Leads recruiting, onboarding, training, and retention efforts for the office
• Develops, builds, and leads an effective organizational structure aligned with departmental workload, growth objectives, and service offerings
• Communicates branch, subsidiary, and corporate initiatives to staff and leads their implementation at the local level
• Serves as the primary ambassador of company values and leadership expectations with the branch
• Oversees branch-wide operational consistency, ensuring adherence to company procedures, standards, and risk management practices
• Provides senior technical review and oversight of key deliverables, reports, and complex projects, as appropriate
• Serves as an operational resource for resolving scheduling conflicts, staffing constraints, and interdepartmental coordination issues
• Maintains awareness of industry standards, codes, and best practices relevant to the office
• Supports the development and improvement of technical practices, training programs, and standardization initiatives for the office
• Directs leadership to align technical practices and resource utilization across offices
• Supports, develops, and leads branch-level standardization, training, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Oversees the office's financial performance, including revenue, profitability, utilization, backlog, overhead control, and key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Performs staffing forecasts and workforce planning to balance efficiency, growth, and employee development
• Ensures compliance with company policies, procedures, and risk management practices
• Owes full responsibility for office profit and loss (P&L) performance
• Develops and executes office budgets, revenue targets, financial goals, and business plans
• Maintains awareness of financial key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational metrics to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement
• Develops and maintains strong client relationships within the market
• Oversees office business development efforts in coordination with office leadership and business development
• Reviews and contributes to proposals, scopes of work, schedules, and fee strategies in accordance with company policies
• Serves as the primary client relationship manager for the office
• Develops and models a strong safety culture within the office
• Ensures staff compliance with safety policies, training requirements, regulatory standards, and company procedures
• Oversees continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, innovation, and operational excellence
• Collaborates with other branches, departments, and support teams to leverage company-wide resources, expertise, and best practices
• Aligns office objectives with subsidiary and company strategies
• Participates in leadership meetings, company initiatives, and committees
• Ledds and communicates subsidiary initiatives to branch leadership and staff and oversees successful implementation

Requirements

• 12 years of related experience with a degree or 16 years of related experience without a degree
• A high school diploma or GED required
• A Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering and Management, Materials Science Engineering, Geology, or a related field is preferred
• An MS in Engineering or an MBA is preferred
• Maintain licenses and/or certifications as necessary for the work performed or managed per ECS Senior Technical Staff Policies and Procedures
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Excellent understanding of engineering consulting operations, project execution, and professional services business models
• Excellent ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent judgement, problem-solving ability, and attention to detail
• Excellent ability to work effectively with clients, direct reports, peers, and supervisors, as well as independently
• Excellent ability to build a team, lead through others, and develop leadership teams
• A client-focused mindset with excellent business development skills
• Excellent financial acumen with demonstrated responsibility for P&L performance
• Excellent ability to balance technical excellence, people leadership, and business objectives
• A strong leadership presence with the ability to influence and align teams
• A strong strategic thinking and execution capability

Pay

The expected pay range for this role and location is $175,000 - $205,000/year. The final agreed-upon compensation will be determined based on specific location and other individual qualifications.

About the Role

ECS Limited is seeking an experienced engineering leader to manage our Denver office. The Office Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, operational execution, performance, and strategic growth of the branch. This role has full accountability for financial results, operations, staff development, client relationships, safety, and execution of company objectives across all departments, groups, and satellite offices within the branch. The Office Manager leads all staff aligning with company standards, safety expectations, and strategic objectives while demonstrating ECS Core Values.