Area Manager - Vertical Transportation

## Description

**Department:** Vertical Transportation

Lerch Bates is seeking an experienced **Area Manager** to lead our Vertical Transportation consulting practice within an assigned region. This role combines technical consulting, business development, operational leadership, and people management to drive exceptional client service and business growth.

As the **Area Manager**, you will oversee consulting services, support project delivery, develop new business opportunities, and lead a team of consultants and technical professionals. You'll work closely with clients, building owners, architects, contractors, and internal teams to deliver high-quality vertical transportation consulting services while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and technical excellence.

If you are a relationship-driven leader with expertise in elevators, escalators, modernization projects, and consulting services, this is an opportunity to make a significant impact while growing both your team and your region.

**Become an Employee-Owner**

One of the biggest advantages of working at Lerch Bates is that we are 100% employee-owned through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

Unlike many companies that offer only a salary and retirement plan, eligible employees receive company-funded ESOP shares at no cost to them as part of their long-term retirement benefits.

As Lerch Bates grows, employee-owners share in the company's success. For many employees, the ESOP becomes one of the most valuable financial benefits of their career by helping build meaningful long-term wealth in addition to their salary and traditional 401(k).

When you join Lerch Bates, you are not just building better buildings. You also have the opportunity to build your financial future alongside the company's success.

**About Lerch Bates:**

Lerch Bates (LB) is a global technical consulting firm focused on improving how buildings perform for owners, designers, and the people who use them every day. For more than 75 years we’ve partnered on some of the world’s most complex and high-profile projects. Today we provide Total Building Performance expertise that integrates Building Science and Building Flow into a unified delivery model.

Our work spans design, construction, investigation, repair, rehabilitation, management, and modernization with one consistent goal: helping clients make confident, well-informed decisions in an increasingly complex built environment.

We are 100% employee-owned through our ESOP. That means when the company succeeds, our employee-owners share in that success. It's more than a retirement benefit—it's an ownership mindset backed by the opportunity to build long-term financial value while helping shape the future of the company.

**What You’ll Do:**

*The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed in this position. They are not intended to prescribe or restrict the assignments that management may make.*

**Business Development & Client Leadership**

• Develop and execute regional business development strategies to grow consulting services across all Lerch Bates service lines
• Build and maintain strong relationships with building owners, architects, developers, contractors, property managers, and industry partners
• Generate new business through networking, client meetings, industry conferences, presentations, lunch-and-learns, and thought leadership
• Identify opportunities to expand services within existing client relationships
• Support proposal development, contract negotiations, and project planning

**Project Consulting & Delivery**

• Participate in vertical transportation consulting projects including equipment assessments, modernization projects, maintenance audits, design consulting, construction administration, and technical reviews
• Support project teams to ensure quality, client satisfaction, timely delivery, and effective project execution
• Assist with project planning, scheduling, budgeting, invoicing, and resource coordination
• Review project performance and provide operational support to consultants throughout project lifecycles
• Prepare and review project reports, status updates, billing information, change orders, and project documentation

**Operations Leadership**

• Lead daily operations for the assigned service area while promoting operational consistency and continuous improvement
• Monitor regional revenue, expenses, project performance, and financial objectives
• Participate in forecasting, budgeting, and operational planning
• Collaborate with leadership and support teams to achieve business goals and improve operational efficiency

**Team Leadership & Development**

• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop consultants and technical staff
• Provide performance feedback, training, and career development opportunities
• Foster a collaborative, customer-focused culture that reflects Lerch Bates' core values
• Promote workplace safety and ensure compliance with company policies and industry standards

**What You’ll Bring:**

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Business, or a related field preferred
• 5+ years of experience in the vertical transportation, elevator consulting, construction, engineering, or related industry
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience preferred
• Strong knowledge of elevators, escalators, moving walks, modernization programs, maintenance audits, inspections, and vertical transportation systems
• Working knowledge of applicable industry codes, standards, and safety requirements
• Demonstrated success in business development, client relationship management, and project delivery
• Strong project management, organizational, and financial management skills
• Excellent leadership, coaching, and team development abilities
• Strong written and verbal communication, presentation, and negotiation skills
• Ability to analyze complex problems and develop practical solutions
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced consulting environment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications; experience with CAD or drawing review software preferred
• Ability to travel throughout the assigned region as needed

**Why Work with Lerch Bates?**

• Competitive compensation
• **100% Employee-Owned ESOP (company-funded retirement benefit that allows eligible employees to share in the company's long-term success)**
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off (starting at 17 days annually)
• 10 paid holidays
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid parental leave
• Professional development and tuition reimbursement
• Performance-based incentives and bonuses
• Employee assistance and wellness programs

**Core Values**

Ownership • Community • Integrity • Respect • Optimism

**Working Environment:**

This position is performed in a combination of office, client, and field environments. Work regularly takes place in occupied buildings, active construction sites, mechanical rooms, elevator machine rooms, elevator pits, hoistways, and other vertical transportation spaces.

Travel throughout the assigned service area is required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

**Physical Demands:**

This position requires frequent standing, walking, climbing stairs and ladders, bending, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and navigating active construction sites and existing buildings.

Employees may be required to work at heights, access elevator machine rooms, elevator pits, hoistways, rooftops, and other confined spaces while wearing appropriate PPE. The position may require lifting or carrying equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.

Travel by automobile and occasional air travel may be required.

**Mental Demands:**

This position requires strong analytical, organizational, and technical problem-solving skills. Employees must interpret technical drawings, specifications, maintenance records, inspection reports, and applicable codes and standards while exercising sound professional judgment.

The role requires managing multiple projects, coordinating with clients and contractors, preparing technical reports, and communicating complex technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

**Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check and drug test. The drug test includes screening for marijuana, regardless of state or local laws permitting its use. A conditional offer of employment will be rescinded if a candidate fails either the background check or the drug test. This requirement is mandated by federal regulations applicable to our government contracting obligations.**

**We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.**