Geotechnical Assistant Department Manager

ECS Group; Greenville (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

ECS Southeast, LLP is seeking a Geotechnical Assistant Department Manager to lead departmental operations, provide technical guidance, and drive financial and client outcomes. This role links technical staff with leadership to ensure safe, efficient project delivery in line with ECS standards.

Responsibilities cover leadership, technical/project oversight, financial management, and business development, with emphasis on safety and regulatory alignment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor and/or Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geology, or similar is required
• 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
• Understanding of engineering consulting operations and project execution
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong problem-solving skills and judgment
• Client-focused mindset with business development ability
• Proficiency in geotechnical principles and regional conditions
• Ability to build and lead teams effectively
• Strong organizational and coordination capabilities
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Responsibilities

• Leads and mentors engineering staff, project managers, technicians, and support teams
• Provides technical guidance and coaching across experience levels
• Participates in performance reviews and development planning
• Supports recruiting, onboarding, training, and staff retention
• Promotes a positive, collaborative, and accountable work environment
• Provides technical oversight and quality control on department projects
• Manages projects through all phases, reviews reports, and prepares proposals
• Reviews deliverables and assists reports
• Backstops projects to meet standards, schedules, budgets
• Resolves technical, staffing, or scheduling challenges
• Keeps abreast of industry standards, codes, and best practices
• Assists with department budgeting, utilization, and KPIs
• Supports invoicing, contract compliance, and proposal prep
• Monitors staffing levels and workload forecasting
• Ensures compliance with policies and risk management
• Maintains client relationships and supports business development
• Participates in client meetings, networking, and marketing activities
• Supports scope of work and fee estimate preparation
• Represents the department within ECS and professional groups
• Promotes safety culture and compliance with safety policies
• Supports continuous improvement in quality, safety, and operations

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Problem solving

Client focus

Team building

Education

B.S. or M.S. in Civil Engineering or Geology

PE or PG license preferred

Job description

Responsibilities

The Geotechnical Assistant Department Manager supports the Department Manager in leading departmental operations, technical execution, and financial performance. This role serves as a critical link between technical staff and leadership, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and in alignment with company standards. The Geotechnical Assistant Department Manager develops leadership capability while contributing to staff development, operational execution, and client satisfaction while demonstrating ECS Core Values.

Responsibilities:

Leadership & People Management

• Assists with supervising engineers, project managers, technicians, and support staff
• Provides coaching, mentoring, and technical guidance to staff at various experience levels
• Participates in performance reviews, goal setting, and professional development planning
• Supports recruiting, onboarding, training, and retention efforts for the department
• Promotes a positive, collaborative, and accountable work environment

Technical & Project Oversight

• Provides technical oversight and quality control for department projects
• Oversees various projects through all phases to completion, performs report reviews, and prepares proposals
• Performs reviews and assists direct reports' deliverables
• Serves as a backstop to ensure projects meet professional standards, schedules, and budgets
• Assists with resolving technical, staffing, or schedule challenges on projects
• Maintains awareness of industry standards, codes, and best practices relevant to the department

Financial & Operational Management

• Assists with managing departmental financial performance, including review of project budgets, utilization, and key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Supports invoicing, contract compliance, and proposal preparation activities
• Helps monitor staffing levels and workload forecasting to balance efficiency, growth, and employee development
• Ensures compliance with company policies, procedures, and risk management practices

Client & Business Development

• Maintains and grows relationships with existing clients
• Assists with business development efforts, including client meetings, networking, and marketing activities
• Supports preparation and review of proposals, scopes of work, and fee estimates
• Represents the department positively within the company and in external professional organizations

Safety, Compliance, & Alignment

• Promotes and models a strong safety culture within the department
• Ensures staff compliance with safety policies, training requirements, regulatory standards, and company procedures
• Supports continuous improvement initiatives related to quality, safety, and operational excellence

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 5 years of related experience
• Bachelor and/or Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geology, or similar is required
• 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
• Understanding of engineering consulting operations and project execution
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong problem-solving skills and judgment
• Client-focused mindset with business development ability
• Proficiency in geotechnical principles and regional conditions
• Ability to build and lead teams effectively
• Strong organizational and coordination capabilities
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Military Qualifications

• The following US Military ranks will qualify for this position IF they also meet the education and licenses requirements from the above section titled 'Required Qualifications':
• E-6/O-1/O-2

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.