Natural Resources Department Manager

ECS Group of Companies; Waukesha (WI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

ECS Group of Companies seeks an Environmental Department Manager to lead the department's operations, technical execution, and financial performance, directing engineers, project managers, and staff to deliver projects safely, on time, and within budget.

The role emphasizes staff development, client satisfaction, and growth, aligning with ECS standards, safety expectations, and core values, while collaborating with principals on technical reviews and business development initiatives.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of related experience with a degree or 10+ years without a degree
• Strong leadership and communication 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
• Client-focused mindset with demonstrated business development success

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 and growth objectives
• Communicates initiatives to staff and supports implementation locally
• Ensures quality, consistency, and technical excellence across projects
• Oversees project execution and escalation for complex projects
• Ensures projects meet safety, quality, schedule, and budget standards
• Aligns with principals on final technical review when required
• Maintains awareness of industry standards and best practices
• Supports development of technical practices and training programs
• Coordinates with leadership to align technical practices and resource utilization
• Owns department P&L performance, budgets, forecasts, and KPIs
• Oversees invoicing, collections, and contract execution
• Manages staffing levels and workload planning
• Drives client relationship management and growth strategies
• Represents the firm in external meetings and industry engagement
• Promotes safety culture and regulatory compliance
• Drives continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, and operational excellence
• Collaborates with other departments to share resources and best practices

Skills

Leadership

Communication

P&L management

Strategic thinking

Team management

Business development

Education

Bachelor's / Master in Civil/Environmental Engineering or related field

Job description

The Environmental Department Manager leads the overall operations, technical execution, and financial performance of the Environmental Department. This role is accountable for department success, including project delivery, staff development, client satisfaction, and business growth. The Environmental 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 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
• 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

Financial & Operational Management

• 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

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

Required 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, Environmental Engineering, Natural or Environmental Science, Geology, or other degree relevant to the practice of Environmental Consulting is 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 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 and licenses requirements from the above section titled "Required Qualifications":
• E-6/E-7/O-2/O-3

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 facilities consulting services. We are employee-owned with more than 3,000 employees in 100+ offices and testing facilities coast to coast. ECS is currently ranked #60 in Engineering News-Record's Top 500 Design Firms (April 2026), #148 in Engineering News-Record's Top 200 Environmental Firms (October 2025) and #50 in Zweig Group's Hot Firm List (May 2025). For additional information about ECS, visit: www.ecslimited.com.

ECS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To learn more, click here.