Geotechnical Department Manager

ECS Ltd•Springdale, OH

14d•Onsite

About The Position

ECS Limited is seeking an experienced Geotechnical Department Manager to lead the geotechnical engineering team in its West Chester office. The manager is accountable for the department’s operations, technical execution, financial performance, 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, and strategic objectives, while demonstrating ECS Core Values. The position combines technical leadership and field-informed geotechnical experience with department management, team development, financial oversight, and client and business development. It also involves collaboration with office and company leadership to align department objectives, technical practices, and resources.

Requirements

At least 6 years of related experience.
Bachelor’s and/or Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geology, or a similar field.
Valid driver’s license if driving for or on behalf of any ECS subsidiary.
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.
Military ranks E-6, E-7, O-2, or O-3 may qualify if the education, certification, and license requirements are also met.

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineer (P.E.) or Professional Geologist (P.G.) license preferred.

Responsibilities

Directly lead engineers, project managers, technicians, and support staff.
Own performance management, coaching, career development, and succession planning; develop future leaders.
Build a high-performing, accountable, and collaborative team culture, and lead recruiting, hiring, and retention strategies.
Maintain an effective department structure aligned with workload, growth objectives, and service offerings.
Communicate branch, subsidiary, and corporate initiatives to staff and support their 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.
Align with Associate Principals and Principals on final technical reviews where required.
Maintain awareness of industry standards, codes, and best practices; support development and 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 the department’s 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.
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.