Geotechnical Department Manager

ECS Ltd•Manchester Township, PA

14d

About The Position

ECS Limited is seeking an experienced Geotechnical Department Manager to lead the geotechnical engineering team in its York office. The role leads the department’s operations, technical execution, and financial performance, and is accountable for project delivery, staff development, client satisfaction, and business growth. The manager leads project managers, engineers, and technical staff in alignment with company standards, safety expectations, strategic objectives, and ECS Core Values. The position combines technical and field experience with department leadership and business management. The manager oversees project quality and execution, develops staff and future leaders, manages department budgets and performance, builds client relationships, and grows the business. The role also coordinates with office and company leadership to align resources, practices, and objectives.

Requirements

At least 6 years of related experience.
Bachelor’s and/or Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geology, or a similar field.
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.
A valid driver’s license is required if driving for or on behalf of any ECS subsidiary.
For military qualifications, ranks E-6, E-7, O-2, or O-3 qualify only if the candidate also meets the stated education, certification, and licensing requirements.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Directly lead engineers, project managers, technicians, and support staff.
Manage performance, coaching, career development, and succession planning.
Build a high-performing, accountable, collaborative team culture; lead recruiting, hiring, and retention; and develop future leaders.
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.
Align with Associate Principals and Principals on final technical reviews when required.
Maintain awareness of industry standards, codes, and best practices, and support 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 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.
Lead client relationship management and the department’s 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.