Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Reports To: Charlotte Branch Manager
Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Overview of Bunnell-Lammons Engineering, Inc.
At Bunnell-Lammons Engineering (BLE), we are committed to delivering exceptional value to our clients through technical excellence, ethical leadership, and outstanding client service. As an employee-owned engineering consulting firm, we believe our greatest strength is our people, and we are committed to creating an environment where employees are empowered to lead, innovate, grow professionally, and make a lasting impact on our clients, our communities, and our firm.
Our values are Clients, Respect, Excellence, Safety, and Trust, which together form the foundation we call C.R.E.S.T. These principles guide how we work together and serve our clients every day. As BLE continues to expand its geographic footprint and technical capabilities, we are seeking leaders who share our commitment to building strong teams, cultivating lasting client relationships, and shaping the future of our firm.
Position Overview
The Department Manager is a senior leadership role responsible for the operational, financial, and strategic management of the Environmental Due Diligence and Remediation Services Department in the Charlotte metropolitan area. This individual will lead department staff, ensure adherence to corporate standards and policies, manage profit and loss performance, and foster a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and collaboration. The Department Manager will be expected to bring an entrepreneurial mindset to building BLE’s local environmental practice, including developing client relationships, leading business development efforts, recruiting and mentoring staff, and expanding the department’s market presence. The Department Manager will also serve as a key liaison between corporate leadership, internal departments, and external clients to support the firm’s growth, client satisfaction, and long-term success. This position is intended for an experienced environmental professional who aspires to become an owner and firm-wide leader within BLE as opportunities arise. As a leader within an employee-owned firm, this individual will be expected to demonstrate long-term stewardship and actively contribute to the growth and success of BLE’s Charlotte operations.
Success in this role requires balancing technical excellence, operational leadership, business development, financial performance, and talent development while advancing BLE's strategic objectives.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Geology, Environmental Science, or a related technical discipline required; advanced degree or specialized environmental training preferred.
Professional registration as a PE or PG in North Carolina is strongly preferred. Candidates holding other relevant environmental certifications, including RSM, REM, or CHMM, are encouraged to apply.
8+ years of progressive experience in environmental consulting, including technical and operational leadership, project management, staff development, and client and business development.
Demonstrated experience conducting, managing, and reviewing environmental due diligence, investigation, and remediation projects, including Phase I Environmental Site Assessments and Phase II investigations.
Strong working knowledge of applicable ASTM standards for environmental site assessments, All Appropriate Inquiries requirements, and applicable federal and state environmental investigation, cleanup, and regulatory-closure programs.
Experience planning and managing soil and groundwater investigations, interpreting environmental data, developing conceptual site models, identifying data gaps, and preparing technical work plans and regulatory reports.
Experience evaluating remedial alternatives, developing cost-effective cleanup and closure strategies, and coordinating with regulatory agencies under Brownfields, voluntary cleanup, UST/LUST, RCRA, CERCLA, or similar programs.
Familiarity with common environmental contaminants and remediation technologies, including petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents, PFAS, in-situ treatment, soil-vapor extraction, or bioremediation, preferred.
Participation in BLE’s Senior Professional Program will be required to qualify as a final reviewer, execute contracts, and manage technical risk on behalf of the firm.
Demonstrated experience managing project financial performance and familiarity with departmental budgeting, profitability, utilization, and resource planning.
Primary Responsibilities
Business Development & Client Relations
Develop and execute the department’s business development strategy in collaboration with the Charlotte Branch Manager and BLE leadership through strategic client development, market expansion, and long-term relationship building.
Represent BLE through professional organizations, technical conferences, community involvement, public presentations, and industry events to strengthen the firm’s reputation and market presence.
Lead and support major pursuits, proposals, interviews, contract negotiations, strategic client account planning, and market positioning efforts to support long-term growth.
Identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships and cross-sell BLE’s geotechnical, construction materials testing, geostructural, and other complementary services.
Operational & Technical Leadership
Develop, communicate, and implement departmental policies, best practices, standard operating procedures, and operational initiatives that promote quality, consistency, efficiency, and profitability.
Oversee environmental due diligence, site investigation, and remediation projects from proposal development and scoping through site assessment, field investigation, remedial evaluation, design and implementation, regulatory reporting, and closure, ensuring appropriate staffing, technical approach, schedule, budget, and client communication.
Ensure project activities are appropriately planned and coordinated, including regulatory and historical research, site reconnaissance, drilling and sampling, laboratory analyses, field personnel, subcontractors, remediation contractors, equipment, and project schedules.
Guide the evaluation of environmental data, development of conceptual site models, identification of data gaps, evaluation of remedial alternatives, and development of practical, cost-effective cleanup and regulatory closure strategies.
Review proposals, work plans, environmental data, technical reports, remedial designs, regulatory submittals, recommendations, and other deliverables to ensure technical accuracy, consistency, regulatory compliance, and client satisfaction.
Provide technical leadership throughout project execution and ensure clients and project teams receive timely support in evaluating environmental conditions, managing environmental and business risks, coordinating with regulatory agencies, and resolving complex investigation and remediation challenges.
Staffing & Talent Management
Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain a high-performing team through effective hiring, performance management, coaching, professional development, and succession planning.
Financial Management
Manage department financial performance and be accountable for progress toward departmental revenue, profitability, utilization, backlog, and other financial targets.
Develop and manage annual operating budgets, financial forecasts, staffing plans, and departmental operating plans in collaboration with the Charlotte Branch Manager, Finance, and BLE leadership.
Oversee project financial performance, including contract terms, billing rates, discounting, profitability, and resource utilization.
Review departmental financial performance, identify financial risks and opportunities, and implement corrective actions to improve operational performance and profitability.
Strategic Planning & Goal Setting
Develop and implement the department's long-term strategy, annual business plans, performance objectives, and operational goals in collaboration with the Charlotte Branch Manager and BLE leadership and in alignment with BLE's strategic vision.
Evaluate emerging market trends, client needs, and industry developments to identify opportunities for innovation, service expansion, and long-term growth.
Work Environment
This position primarily operates in a professional office environment and requires regular in-person work. Occasional travel to client sites, project locations, company offices, industry events, and business development activities is also expected.
Why Join Us?
Collaborative, multidisciplinary environment with opportunities to work alongside geotechnical, geostructural, environmental, and CMT professionals.
Benefits
