Geotechnical Department Manager

ECS Ltd•Wilmington, NC

3d•Onsite

About The Position

ECS Limited is seeking an experienced Geotechnical Department Manager to lead its geotechnical engineering team in the Wilmington office. The manager is accountable for the department’s overall operations, technical execution, and financial performance, including project delivery, staff development, client satisfaction, and business growth. The role leads project managers, engineers, and technical staff in alignment with company standards, safety expectations, strategic objectives, and ECS Core Values. The manager directs and develops department staff, oversees technical quality and project execution, manages department finances and operations, and leads client relationships and business development. The position also promotes safety and compliance, supports quality and continuous improvement, and coordinates with other departments and office leaders.

Requirements

At least 6 years of related experience with a degree, or 10 years of related experience without a degree.
High school diploma or GED required.
If driving for or on behalf of an 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, including P&L, budgeting, forecasting, and 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.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s and/or Master’s of Science in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering and Management, Materials Science Engineering, Geology, or a related field.
Professional Engineer (P.E.) or Professional Geologist (P.G.) license.
Qualifying US military rank of E-6, E-7, O-2, or O-3, provided the education, certification, and license requirements are also met.

Responsibilities

Directly lead engineers, project managers, technicians, and support staff.
Manage performance, coaching, career development, and succession planning; build an accountable, collaborative team and develop future leaders.
Lead recruiting, hiring, and retention strategies, and maintain a department structure aligned with workload, growth objectives, and service offerings.
Communicate branch, subsidiary, and corporate initiatives to staff and support local implementation.
Ensure quality, consistency, and technical excellence across 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 safety, quality, schedule, and budget standards, and align with Associate Principals or Principals on final technical reviews where required.
Maintain awareness of industry standards, codes, and best practices; support improvement of technical practices, training programs, and initiatives.
Coordinate with leadership to align technical practices and resource utilization.
Own department P&L performance, including revenue, margin, utilization, and backlog; develop and manage 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.
Lead client relationship management and department growth strategy; develop new business 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.
Promote and enforce a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with regulatory standards and company procedures.
Drive quality assurance and continuous improvement 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.