Geotechnical Department Manager

ECS Ltd•Wilmington, NC

5d•Onsite

About The Position

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

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
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
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-6/E-7/O-2/O-3

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Directly leads engineers, Project Managers, technicians, and support staff
Owns performance management, coaching, career development, and succession planning
Builds a high-performing, accountable, and collaborative team culture
Leads recruiting, hiring, and retention strategies
Develops future leaders
Builds and maintains an effective department structure aligned with departmental workload, growth objectives, and service offerings
Communicates branch, subsidiary, and corporate initiatives to staff and supports their implementation at the local level
Ensures quality, consistency, and technical excellence across all department projects
Oversees project execution through delegation to Project Managers and technical leaders
Provides escalation support for complex or high-risk projects
Ensures projects meet standards for safety, quality, schedule, and budget
Aligns with Associate Principals/Principals on final technical review where required
Maintains awareness of industry standards, codes, and best practices
Supports the development and improvement of technical practices, training programs, and initiatives
Coordinates with leadership to align technical practices and resource utilization
Owns department P&L performance (revenue, margin, utilization, backlog)
Develops and manages departmental budgets and forecasts
Monitors KPIs and drives performance improvement
Oversees invoicing, collections, and contract execution
Manages staffing levels and workload planning for efficiency and growth
Ensures compliance with company policies, procedures, and risk controls
Leads client relationship management and department growth strategy
Develops new business opportunities and expands key client accounts
Oversees proposal development, pricing strategy, and scope definition
Represents the firm in external meetings, networking, and industry engagement
Drives sustained revenue growth and market presence
Promotes and enforces a strong safety culture
Ensures compliance with regulatory standards and company procedures
Drives quality assurance and continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, innovation, and operational excellence
Collaborates with other departments and office leaders to share resources, expertise, and best practices
Aligns departmental objectives with office, subsidiary, and company strategies
Participates in leadership meetings, company initiatives, and committees as requested