CEI Division Manager

ESP Associates, Inc.; Huntersville (NC); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

ESP Associates, Inc. is seeking a CEI Division Manager to lead CEI/CM services for transportation projects in North Carolina. The role oversees engineers and inspectors, business development, and project management to drive growth and performance.

You will collaborate with the Transportation Services Leader and client managers, mentor leaders, manage contracts and finances, and represent ESP to clients and subconsultants while advancing ESP’s strategy.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of CEI experience in transportation
• BS in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related field
• PE in North Carolina preferred
• Proven business development experience in transportation with growth track
• Willingness to travel regularly (field and office sites)
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong technical writing skills for submittals
• Must pass drug screen, background check, and driving record review

Responsibilities

• Generate business opportunities with existing and prospective clients.
• Cultivate and sustain client relationships and explore new business avenues.
• Mentor CEI leaders to ensure successful project completion.
• Ensure fulfillment of client contracts and meet financial performance goals.
• Direct and manage CEI/CM leaders.
• Communicate high-level concepts with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support business development activities with company leaders.
• Represent ESP to external entities and build client relationships.
• Address skills gaps and coordinate training opportunities.

Skills

Leadership

Business development

Communication

Technical writing

Education

BS in Civil Engineering/Construction Management

Professional Engineer (PE) in NC preferred

Tools

MS Office

PDF software

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

CEI Division Manager

TRA-EXEC-BUE Adams Regular Full-Time Huntersville, NC, US

ESP Associates, Inc. is in search of Division Manager for our CEI/CM services within transportation projects, catering to both public and private sectors. We're looking for someone with significant construction, inspection, and administration experience, who can take charge and help us expand this service line in North Carolina.

The CEI Division Manager will collaborate closely with ESP’s Transportation Services Leader, client managers, teaming partners, and other key members of our team. This role entails leading established groups of Engineers and Inspectors, overseeing Strategic Plan Implementation, Personnel Management, Project Management processes, Operational Administration, and Business Development for ESP’s CEI and CM services.

Our ideal candidate possesses an outgoing, determined personality, capable of fostering growth and development within our work program. They'll work closely with our leaders to ensure client needs are met, leading business planning, marketing efforts, meeting financial targets, and driving the firm’s growth and production strategy forward.

ESP is proud to offer more than a place to build your career, we are a team. Built on a foundation of trust and performance, we empower our people through flexible work schedules and a fluid work environment that respects your personal time. Our multidisciplinary environment brings together professionals across engineering, surveying, planning, environmental, geosciences, SUE, and CEI, with plenty of opportunities to connect beyond the workday. From team outings and volunteer events to company-wide step challenges, summer celebrations, and friendly competitions, there’s always an opportunity to get involved, get to know your coworkers, and have a little fun along the way.

Responsibilities:

• Generating business opportunities with existing and prospective clients.
• Cultivating and sustaining client relationships while exploring new business avenues.
• Mentoring CEI leaders to ensure successful project completion.
• Ensuring fulfillment of client contracts and meeting financial performance goals.
• Directing and managing CEI/CM leaders.
• Effectively communicating high-level concepts with internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborating with company leaders to support and lead business development activities.
• Representing ESP to external entities and building client relationships.
• Making recommendations on human resource actions and leading personnel forecasting, recruiting, and onboarding.
• Negotiating contracts with clients and subconsultants.
• Assuring proper project setup and financial management.
• Utilizing Client Relationship Manager (CRM) for accurate reporting and tracking of business opportunities.
• Reviewing and acting upon financial reports, accounts receivable reports, performance metrics, etc.
• Mentoring state leaders regarding proposal management and fostering team development.
• Identifying and addressing skills and knowledge gaps within the team through internal and external training opportunities.

Qualifications:

• 15+ years of experience in Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) within the transportation industry.
• BS in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related field preferred.
• Professional Engineer in North Carolina is preferred.
• Basic knowledge of MS Office products and PDF software.
• Understanding of DOT process systems.
• Proven business development experience in transportation, with a strong track record of growth and project success.
• Willingness to travel regularly, including field and office sites.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to generate new business opportunities.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong technical writing skills for submittal preparation.
• Candidates must pass a drug screen, background check, and have a satisfactory driving record according to ESP’s policy.

Corporate Information:

As a transportation/infrastructure focused firm, ESP’s CEI and CM professionals work diligently on our client’s behalf to direct, verify and document their project is built as intended. Our experience includes various types of construction contracting methods including General Bid-Build, Design-Build, and Public Private Partnerships (P3).Our role is to be a valued asset to the project team, adding value through knowledge, communication and experience.
CEI & CM Markets include:

• Highways and Bridges
• Rail and Transit
• Tollways
• Streets and Roads

ESP is a multi-discipline engineering design and consulting firm providing our clients with civil engineering, surveying, planning/landscape architecture, geosciences, environmental, subsurface utility engineering, and construction engineering inspection.

Through years of dedicated service to our clients, ESP has received a designation of 186 on the 2026 ENR Top 500 Design Firm rankings. For the firm's primary territory, the ENR Texas & Southeast Top Design Firms, ESP received a 2026 ranking of 53.

ESP offers an excellent employee benefits package including:

• Competitive compensation with yearly performance reviews and discretionary annual bonuses
• 401(k) (Traditional & Roth plans) with a guaranteed employer match of 100% up to the first 3% and 50% on the next 2% (eligibility after 60 days)
• PTO (Paid Time Off) & 10 Paid Holidays
• VTO (Volunteer Time Off) of 4 hours each year (prorated during first year based on hire date)
• Tiered Health, Vision & Dental Insurance Options (eligibility after 30 days)
• Behavioral Medicine through Teladoc
• Short-Term Disability Insurance (Employer paid)