Area Manager - Gulfport

Waggoner Engineering; Gulfport (MS); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive health benefits

Flexible/Hybrid schedule

Career development and training

Employee Referral Bonus

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Gulfport, MS is seeking an Area Manager to lead projects and business development initiatives. Responsibilities include overseeing project budgets, mentoring leaders, and collaborating with senior management. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's in engineering and at least ten years of management experience. This role is key to driving business growth and effectiveness in the region, with a focus on teamwork and operational strategy.

Qualifications

• Minimum ten years of operating management experience in consulting engineering.
• Demonstrated experience in business development and financial planning.
• Certification as a professional engineer or related qualification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all projects within the assigned geographic area.
• Lead business development opportunities for growth.
• Monitor project budgets and coordinate with Project Managers.
• Foster high-performance teamwork and collaboration.

Skills

Project management competency

Business acumen

Leadership

Financial analysis

Organizational development

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Master’s degree in business or related field (preferred)

Job description

Overview

Waggoner Engineering, Inc. is hiring an Area Manager for our Gulfport, MS office to provide the vision, leadership, and management necessary to ensure business growth and effectiveness within their assigned geographic market area. The role supports the development, implementation, and coordination of projects, plans, and programs, as well as the formulation and regulatory compliance of related policies and procedures, subject to approval by the Vice President. The position is carried out through a respectful, constructive, and energetic collaborative and team‑oriented style guided by the company’s objectives.

Department & Location

Department: Civil/Municipal
Location: Gulfport, MS

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: Competitive, commensurate with experience
• Signing Bonus: One‑time signing bonus of $10,000, payable within 30 days of your start date.
• Clawback Provision: If you voluntarily resign or are terminated for cause within 12 months of your start date, you agree to repay the signing bonus in full.

Core Responsibilities

• Strong project management competency with experience in overseeing all projects within the assigned geographic area.
• Advanced business acumen in working with clients and representing our brand with integrity and multidisciplinary expertise.
• Actively lead and drive the growth of business development opportunities.
• Identify, train, and develop leaders within the company and set them on a path toward management.
• Maintain working knowledge of all operational phases, coordinate support across the business, and provide regular performance updates to senior leadership.
• Create and implement a strategic one‑page plan to track company KPIs.
• Work closely with Human Resources and Senior Leadership to define and implement operational strategy, structure, processes, and performance metrics.
• Responsible for all project budgets, monitoring, and cost control.
• Support the Vice President with financial reporting and performance monitoring to identify efficiency issues and propose solutions.
• Guide, direct, and evaluate the work of all Project Managers in the geographic area.
• Monitor cash flow and collaborate with Project Accountants and Managers to ensure timely client payments.

Essential Functions

• Provide day‑to‑day leadership and management that reflects the company’s mission and core values.
• Drive Project Managers toward sales, profitability, cash flow, and business goals.
• Measure and improve the effectiveness of all processes; provide timely, accurate, and complete reports on operating conditions.
• Lead the development, communication, and implementation of effective business growth strategies and processes in the market area.
• Collaborate with management to develop and implement plans for operational infrastructure, systems, processes, and personnel to support growth and profitability.
• Motivate, mentor, and lead a high‑performance team; assist with recruitment, retention, and career development of project managers.
• Cultivate an environment of teamwork and collaboration.
• Participate in regularly scheduled operations meetings with the Vice President to discuss performance, resource sharing, and process improvement.
• Participate in the business planning process of the company.
• Accept other assignments and committees as assigned by the Vice President.
• Act as lead client account manager and project manager for high‑profile clients and large projects within the geographic area.
• Foster a success‑oriented, accountable environment.
• Represent the firm with clients and business partners.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field.
• At least ten years of operating management experience in the consulting engineering environment.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in business or a related field.
• At least five years in a senior management role.
• Certification as a professional engineer, professional geologist, or PhD in a related professional field.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in professional services business development and growth.
• Experience in financial planning and analysis, overseeing projects and operating units.
• Skill in organizational development, personnel management, budget and resource development, and strategic planning for projects and operating units.
• Excellent people skills and ability to partner with a dynamic leadership team.
• Personal integrity, credibility, and commitment to the corporate mission.
• Flexibility and multitasking ability in an ambiguous, fast‑moving environment while driving toward clarity and solutions; resourceful in setting priorities and guiding investment in people and systems.

Benefits

• WEI Incentive Program
• Healthy Workplace Program
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Competitive Health Benefits
• Career Development and Training
• Flexible/Hybrid Schedule
• Community Service Opportunities
• Worldwide Travel Assistance

Why Join Our Team

We know work isn’t only about what you do, it’s also about who you work for and with! Waggoner Engineering provides a fun, family‑friendly, and multicultural work environment that supports a work‑life balance, including the benefits above.

Waggoner Engineering, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.