Civil Engineering Department Manager

Civil Engineering Department Manager

Charlotte, NC Area

About the Opportunity

Are you a licensed PE who wants to manage a civil engineering department & shape the trajectory of a growing practice? This isn't an administrative position. It's a hands-on leadership role where you'll oversee project delivery, lead a team of engineers and designers, drive business development, stay technically engaged in design review and QA/QC, and have real autonomy to build something.

After 80 years in business, our client is positioned for continued growth in the Carolinas. You'll have the resources of an established company, the support of senior leadership, and the freedom to run your department your way.

What You'll Do

Department Leadership & Operations

• Manage and grow the civil/site engineering department (project managers, engineers, designers)

• Oversee project portfolios: residential, commercial, mixed-use, and municipal development

• Balance workloads, assign projects, and ensure deadlines and quality standards are met

• Mentor staff, conduct performance reviews, and create professional development pathways

Technical Oversight & Quality Control

• Review and approve design work: grading, drainage, stormwater, utilities, permitting, erosion control

• Perform technical QA/QC on deliverables to ensure accuracy and compliance

• Stay hands-on when needed. Jump into Civil 3D, AutoCAD, and hydraulic modeling on complex projects

• Resolve technical challenges and provide design guidance to the team

Business Development & Client Relations

• Serve as primary client contact for key accounts. Build trust, manage expectations, solve problems

• Pursue repeat work, respond to RFPs, and develop new client relationships

• Coordinate with municipal agencies, developers, contractors, and stakeholders

• Represent the firm at industry events and maintain a visible presence in the market

What You Bring Professionally

• PE license (required)

• 10-15 years of civil/site design experience with increasing leadership responsibility

• Proven experience managing teams and running a department or practice area

• Strong technical foundation: Civil 3D, grading, stormwater, utilities, permitting

• Track record of managing project budgets, schedules, and profitability

• Business development experience or demonstrated ability to grow client relationships

• Excellent communication skills. You can talk to clients, agencies, and your team with equal clarity

What You Bring Personally

You're a department leader, not just a manager. You roll up your sleeves when needed but also know when to delegate and empower your team. You're a bridge-builder who can navigate client expectations, team dynamics, and agency requirements without losing your cool. You're client-obsessed, strategically minded, detail-oriented, and comfortable making decisions autonomously. You want to build a department, not just run one.

Why This Opportunity

• Own your department: Real autonomy to shape operations, culture, and growth strategy

• Leadership technical balance: Stay involved in design while developing your management skills

• Growth trajectory: Expanding regional presence with multi-office leadership opportunity

• Compensation: Base $130K-$175K

• Stability: 80-year firm with strong client base and healthy backlog

• Benefits: Full health/dental/vision, 401(k) match, PTO, professional development support, PE license renewals

• Work-life balance: Hybrid flexibility after onboarding

• Senior leadership visibility: You'll have a seat at the table and influence firm direction

Key Performance Indicators

• Department profitability and project delivery (on-time, on-budget)

• Team utilization rates, billability, and professional development progress

• Client satisfaction scores and repeat business metrics

• New business development pipeline and revenue growth

• Quality control metrics (design reviews, permit approvals, RFI reduction)

How Success is Measured

You'll be evaluated on your ability to run a profitable department, grow your team's capabilities, strengthen client relationships, and expand the firm's civil engineering footprint in the region. Compensation and advancement are tied to these outcomes. Your success is our success.

If you're a PE who's ready to move beyond project management and start running a department with real impact, let's talk.