Geotechnical Department Lead

ECS Group of Companies; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

ECS Group of Companies seeks a Geotechnical Department Manager to lead our geotechnical engineering team from our Wilmington, NC office. The role oversees operations, technical execution, and the department's financial performance, guiding project delivery, staff development, client satisfaction, and business growth.

The successful candidate will manage project managers and engineers, drive safety and quality, develop talent, and align departmental goals with company strategy while advancing a

Qualifications

• 6 years of related experience with a degree or 10 years of related experience without a degree
• High school diploma or GED required
• Bachelor's and/or Master's of Science in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering and Management, Materials Science Engineering, Geology, or related field is preferred
• 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, KPIs)
• Ability to manage multiple teams, priorities, and deadlines
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capability
• Client-focused mindset with demonstrated business development success
• Proficiency in geotechnical 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 departmental workload, growth objectives, and service offerings
• Communicates branch, subsidiary, and corporate initiatives to staff and supports their implementation at the local level
• 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
• Aligns 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
• Owns department P&L performance (revenue, margin, utilization, 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
• 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
• 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

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team management

Business development

Education

Civil Engineering degree

PE/PGe license preferred

Job description

ECS Group of Companies seeks a Geotechnical Department Manager to lead our geotechnical engineering team from our Wilmington, NC office. The role oversees operations, technical execution, and the department's financial performance, guiding project delivery, staff development, client satisfaction, and business growth.

The successful candidate will manage project managers and engineers, drive safety and quality, develop talent, and align departmental goals with company strategy while advancing a