Geotechnical Department Manager I

Terracon; Tennessee; On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Terracon is seeking a senior-level leader to supervise a department, ensure projects meet client requirements and company standards, and drive business development. The role covers staffing, budgeting, and performance metrics across revenue, profitability, and billings.

The candidate will oversee risk, promote safety, and uphold quality across all project deliverables, while supporting client relationships and project strategy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline plus 5 years’ practice experience, or 9 years’ related experience in lieu of degree.
• Master’s degree or PhD preferred for advanced roles.
• A valid driver’s license may be required.

Responsibilities

• Supervise or monitor projects to ensure timely delivery and client alignment.
• Oversee proposals, cost estimates, and staffing plans for profitability.
• Lead department safety, quality, and performance initiatives and risk management.
• Plan and participate in business development to win and execute project opportunities.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Business development

Safety & quality oversight

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Environmental Science/Geology

Master’s degree or PhD preferred

Job description

General Responsibilities:

Supervise or monitor all projects in progress in the department to ensure that work is executed on time and in accordance with the client’s requirements and within company policies, procedures and standards. Supervise the preparation of proposals and cost estimates to clients to ensure proper scoping of services, availability of manpower and pricing to achieve desired profitability. Supervise the daily operations of a department including staff training, development, and performance review, utilization of equipment and facilities, safety oversight, quality of services and work product, timely delivery of services and deliverables, and adherence to policies and procedure. Plan for and participate in business development activities to identify, develop, win, and execute project opportunities and build and maintain client relationships.

Essential Roles and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for preparation of proposals and cost estimates.
• With support from the Office Manager perform business and client development activities.
• With support from the Office Manager develop and manage employee staffing plans, recruitment, selection and on-boarding.
• With support from the Office Manager prepare and execute annual business plan for the department.
• With support from the Office Manager oversee and manage the success of the key department metrics of revenue growth, staff chargeability, project billing and collections, and project profitability.
• Develop understanding and be aware of project-related risk. Be familiar with what could go wrong on a project and how to protect the Company. Be familiar with company risk policies.
• Lead safety efforts for team and ensure team follows safety rules and guidelines. Responsible for creating and modeling a safe work environment; demonstrates safety practices. Promote pre-task planning for all projects.
• Responsible for continuous quality monitoring and improvement on projects. Monitor and promote quality standards and practices.
• Responsible for providing consistent quality standards on project and proposal delivery.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in technical discipline practiced by the Firm including Engineering, Environmental Science or Geology and 5 years’ practice experience. Or, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 9 years’ related experience.
• Master’s degree or PhD preferred.
• A valid driver’s license with acceptable violation history may be required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification or licensure in field of expertise.
• Terracon Authorized Project Reviewer status preferred.