Operations Manager (Geotechnical and Materials Testing)

ECS Ltd•Denver, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

12 years of related experience with a degree or 16 years of related experience without a degree
High school diploma or GED required
Maintain licenses and/or certifications as necessary for the work performed or managed per ECS Senior Technical Staff Policies and Procedures
If driving for or on behalf of any ECS subsidiary, a valid driver's license is required
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
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
Excellent leadership presence with the ability to influence and align teams
Strong strategic thinking and execution capability

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provides overall leadership and direction for the branch, including all departments, service lines, and satellite offices
Provides direct supervision, coaching, mentoring, guidance, and accountability for senior leaders, including Department, Group Managers, and Assistant Branch Manager
Leads 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
Leads a collaborative, high-performance culture that emphasizes accountability, professional growth, and employee engagement
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
Oversees the departments and groups and their ability to properly perform work
Provides senior technical review and oversight of key deliverables, reports, and complex projects, as appropriate
Ensures consistent application of quality control, safety practices, and standard-of-care expectations across the branch
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)
Oversees invoicing, contract compliance, change management, and collections across departments and/or groups
Performs staffing forecasts and workforce planning to balance efficiency, growth, and employee development
Ensures compliance with company policies, procedures, and risk management practices
Owns full responsibility for office profit and loss (P&L) performance
Develops and executes office budgets, revenue targets, financial goals, and business plans
Monitors financial key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational metrics to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement
Develops, maintains, and grows 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
Represents the firm in professional organizations, industry events, and client meetings
Identifies market trends and opportunities to execute growth strategies aligned with branch and company goals
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
Leads and communicates subsidiary initiatives to branch leadership and staff and oversees successful implementation