GEM Department Manager

ECS Group; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The GEM Department Manager at ECS Group leads the department’s operations, technical execution, and financial performance from Chantilly, VA. You will direct engineers, project managers, and staff to deliver projects on time, safely, and within budget, while growing key client relationships and new business opportunities. We seek a senior engineer with P.E.

or P.G. preferred, 8+ years of leadership experience, and strong financial acumen.

Qualifications

• 8 years of related experience.
• Bachelor or Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Surveying, Geomatics, Geology, Earth Sciences, Archaeology, Geophysics, or related field.
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) or Professional Geologist (P.G.) license preferred.
• If driving for or on behalf of ECS subsidiary, a valid driver's license is required.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Advanced understanding of engineering consulting operations and project execution.
• Strong financial acumen (P&L, budgeting, forecasting, and KPIs).
• Ability to manage multiple teams, priorities, and deadlines.
• Client-focused mindset with demonstrated business development success.
• Proficiency in construction materials testing principles and regional conditions.
• Ability to build, lead, and scale high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Directly leads engineers, Project Managers, technicians, and support staff.
• Owns performance management, coaching, career development, and succession planning.
• Builds a high-performing, accountable, and collaborative team culture.
• Leads recruiting, hiring, and retention strategies.
• Develops future leaders.
• Builds and maintains an effective department structure aligned with workload, growth objectives, and service offerings.
• Communicates branch, subsidiary, and corporate initiatives to staff and supports their implementation.
• Oversees project execution through delegation to Project Managers and technical leaders.
• Ensures projects meet safety, quality, schedule, and budget standards.
• Oversees invoicing, collections, and contract execution.
• Manages staffing levels and workload planning for efficiency and growth.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving

Business development

Financial acumen

Project execution

Client-focused mindset

Education

B.S./M.S. in Civil Engineering or related field

Job description

The GEM Department Manager leads the overall operations, technical execution, and financial performance of the GEM department. This role is accountable for department success, including project delivery, staff development, client satisfaction, and business growth. The GEM Department Manager leads project managers, engineers, and technical staff, aligning with company standards, safety expectations, and strategic objectives while demonstrating ECS Core Values.

Responsibilities

Leadership & People Management

• Directly leads engineers, Project Managers, technicians, and support staff
• Owns performance management, coaching, career development, and succession planning
• Builds a high-performing, accountable, and collaborative team culture
• Leads recruiting, hiring, and retention strategies
• Develops future leaders
• Builds and maintains an effective department structure aligned with departmental workload, growth objectives, and service offerings
• Communicates branch, subsidiary, and corporate initiatives received from the Group Manager to staff and supports their implementation at the local level

Technical & Project Oversight

• Ensures quality, consistency, and technical excellence across all department projects
• Oversees project execution through delegation to Project Managers and technical leaders
• Provides escalation support for complex or high-risk projects
• Ensures projects meet standards for safety, quality, schedule, and budget
• Coordinates with Associate Principals/Principals on final technical review where required
• Maintains awareness of industry standards, codes, and best practices
• Supports the development and improvement of technical practices, training programs, and initiatives
• Coordinates with leadership to align technical practices and resource utilization

Financial & Operational Management

• Owns department P&L performance (revenue, margin, utilization, and backlog)
• Develops and manages departmental budgets and forecasts
• Monitors KPIs and drives performance improvement
• Oversees invoicing, collections, and contract execution
• Manages staffing levels and workload planning for efficiency and growth
• Ensures compliance with company policies, procedures, and risk controls

Client & Business Development

• Leads client relationship management and department growth strategy
• Develops new business opportunities and expands key client accounts
• Oversees proposal development, pricing strategy, and scope definition
• Represents the firm in external meetings, networking, and industry engagement
• Drives sustained revenue growth and market presence

Safety, Compliance, & Alignment

• Promotes and enforces a strong safety culture
• Ensures compliance with regulatory standards and company procedures
• Drives quality assurance and continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, innovation, and operational excellence
• Collaborates with other departments and office leaders to share resources, expertise, and best practices
• Aligns departmental objectives with office, subsidiary, and company strategies
• Participates in leadership meetings, company initiatives, and committees as requested

#LI-JG1

Qualifications

• 8 years of related experience
• Bachelor or Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Surveying, Geomatics, Geology, Earth Sciences, Archaeology, Geophysics, or related field
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) or Professional Geologist (P.G.) license preferred
• If driving for or on behalf of any ECS subsidiary, a valid driver's license is required
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Advanced understanding of engineering consulting operations and project execution
• Strong financial acumen (P&L, budgeting, forecasting, and KPIs)
• Ability to manage multiple teams, priorities, and deadlines
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Client-focused mindset with demonstrated business development success
• Proficiency in construction materials testing principles and regional conditions
• Ability to build, lead, and scale high-performing teams

Military Qualifications

• The following US Military ranks will qualify for this position IF they also meet the education, certification, and licenses requirements from the above section titled "Required Qualifications":
• E-6/E-7/O-2/O-3

The expected pay range for this role and location is $110k - $125k/year. The final agreed-upon compensation will be determined based on specific location and other individual qualifications.

About Us

ECS Group of Companies (ECS) was founded in 1988 with the goal to raise the standards of professional engineering consulting. Today, we are a leader in geotechnical, construction materials, environmental and building science + infrastructure consulting services. We are employee-owned with more than 3,200 employees in 125 offices and testing facilities coast to coast. ECS is currently ranked #60 in Engineering News-Record's Top 500 Design Firms (April 2026), #144 in Engineering News-Record's Top 200 Environmental Firms (October 2026) and #38 in Zweig Group's Hot Firm List (June 2026). For additional information about ECS, visit: www.ecslimited.com.

ECS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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