Operations Manager (Geotechnical and Materials Testing)

What You'll Do:

ECS Limited is seeking an experienced engineering leader to manage our Denver office. The Office Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, operational execution, performance, and strategic growth of the branch. This role has full accountability for financial results, operations, staff development, client relationships, safety, and execution of company objectives across all departments, groups, and satellite offices within the branch. The Office Manager leads all staff aligning with company standards, safety expectations, and strategic objectives while demonstrating ECS Core Values.

Responsibilities:

Leadership & People Management

Provides overall leadership and direction for the branch, including all departments, service lines, and satellite offices

Provides direct supervision, coaching, mentoring, guidance, and accountability for senior leaders, including Department, Group Managers, and Assistant Branch Manager

Leads performance management processes, including goal setting, evaluations, coaching, promotions, improvement plans, and succession planning for the office

Leads recruiting, onboarding, training, and retention efforts for the office

Leads a collaborative, high-performance culture that emphasizes accountability, professional growth, and employee engagement

Develops, builds, and leads an effective organizational structure aligned with departmental workload, growth objectives, and service offerings

Communicates branch, subsidiary, and corporate initiatives to staff and leads their implementation at the local level

Serves as the primary ambassador of company values and leadership expectations with the branch

Technical & Project Oversight

Oversees branch-wide operational consistency, ensuring adherence to company procedures, standards, and risk management practices

Oversees the departments and groups and their ability to properly perform work

Provides senior technical review and oversight of key deliverables, reports, and complex projects, as appropriate

Ensures consistent application of quality control, safety practices, and standard-of-care expectations across the branch

Serves as an operational resource for resolving scheduling conflicts, staffing constraints, and interdepartmental coordination issues

Maintains awareness of industry standards, codes, and best practices relevant to the office

Supports the development and improvement of technical practices, training programs, and standardization initiatives for the office

Directs leadership to align technical practices and resource utilization across offices

Supports, develops, and leads branch-level standardization, training, and continuous improvement initiatives

Financial & Operational Management

Oversees the office's financial performance, including revenue, profitability, utilization, backlog, overhead control, and key performance indicators (KPIs)

Oversees invoicing, contract compliance, change management, and collections across departments and/or groups

Performs staffing forecasts and workforce planning to balance efficiency, growth, and employee development

Ensures compliance with company policies, procedures, and risk management practices

Owns full responsibility for office profit and loss (P&L) performance

Develops and executes office budgets, revenue targets, financial goals, and business plans

Monitors financial key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational metrics to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement

Client & Business Development

Develops, maintains, and grows strong client relationships within the market

Oversees office business development efforts in coordination with office leadership and business development

Reviews and contributes to proposals, scopes of work, schedules, and fee strategies in accordance with company policies

Represents the firm in professional organizations, industry events, and client meetings

Identifies market trends and opportunities to execute growth strategies aligned with branch and company goals

Serves as the primary client relationship manager for the office

Safety, Compliance, & Alignment

Develops and models a strong safety culture within the office

Ensures staff compliance with safety policies, training requirements, regulatory standards, and company procedures

Oversees continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, innovation, and operational excellence

Collaborates with other branches, departments, and support teams to leverage company-wide resources, expertise, and best practices

Aligns office objectives with subsidiary and company strategies

Participates in leadership meetings, company initiatives, and committees

Leads and communicates subsidiary initiatives to branch leadership and staff and oversees successful implementation

What We're Looking For:

Required Experience & Skills:

12 years of related experience with a degree or 16 years of related experience without a degree

High school diploma or GED required

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering and Management, Materials Science Engineering, Geology, or a related field is preferred

An MS in Engineering or an MBA is preferred

Maintain licenses and/or certifications as necessary for the work performed or managed per ECS Senior Technical Staff Policies and Procedures

If driving for or on behalf of any ECS subsidiary, a valid driver's license is required

Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills

Excellent understanding of engineering consulting operations, project execution, and professional services business models

Excellent ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

Excellent judgement, problem-solving ability, and attention to detail

Excellent ability to work effectively with clients, direct reports, peers, and supervisors, as well as independently

Excellent ability to build a team, lead through others, and develop leadership teams

Client-focused mindset with excellent business development skills

Excellent financial acumen with demonstrated responsibility for P&L performance

Excellent ability to balance technical excellence, people leadership, and business objectives

Excellent leadership presence with the ability to influence and align teams

Strong strategic thinking and execution capability

The expected pay range for this role and location is $175,000 - $205,000/year. The final agreed-upon compensation will be determined based on specific location and other individual qualifications.

Who We Are:

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.