VDC/BIM Manager (Plumbing)

VDC/BIM Manager

A well-established, family-owned plumbing and mechanical contractor with more than 85 years of industry experience is seeking a VDC/BIM Manager to lead its virtual design and construction team. The company specializes in complex commercial, healthcare, hospitality, educational, government, and industrial projects throughout Northern California and Northern Nevada. This is a hybrid position, with a strong preference for candidates based near Sacramento who can work in the office 2–3 days per week and visit active job sites approximately 2–3 times per month. The standard schedule is Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of approximately 10–20 BIM modelers, coordinators, VDC specialists, fabrication detailers, and layout technicians, providing coaching, development, and accountability.
• Oversee departmental workload, resource allocation, project scheduling, and deadline management across multiple active construction projects.
• Maintain responsibility for the accuracy, quality, and timely delivery of all BIM/VDC outputs, including model audits, quality control reviews, and fabrication- and installation-ready deliverables.
• Direct constructability reviews, clash detection, and multi-trade MEP coordination to identify and resolve conflicts before they affect field installation.
• Oversee spool sheet production, hanger detailing, and prefabrication planning in collaboration with the fabrication shop and project teams.
• Manage external modeling vendors and third-party resources when project volume exceeds internal capacity, ensuring consistent quality and schedule adherence.
• Conduct job-site walks 2–3 times per month to verify field conditions, confirm alignment between BIM models and actual installation, and communicate necessary adjustments to the modeling team.
• Monitor departmental budgets and BIM labor costs, participate in monthly project reviews, and coordinate resource needs with project management leadership.
• Collaborate daily with the Lead Detailing Manager and Software/Technology Manager to maintain effective workflows, consistent standards, and alignment between people, processes, and technology.
• Provide input on BIM standards, software evaluation, and process improvements while partnering with the Software/Technology Manager, who owns the technology and systems function.
• Maintain effective communication with general contractors, owners, design teams, and internal stakeholders to support project coordination and successful execution.
• Help strengthen and scale the VDC/BIM department as project volume grows, with the potential to advance into a Director-level leadership position.

Requirements

• 8+ years of BIM/VDC experience within the construction industry.
• At least 3 years of leadership experience managing and developing BIM modelers, coordinators, detailers, or similar technical teams.
• Background in mechanical or plumbing construction, either with a specialty contractor or through a general contractor/construction management firm overseeing MEP coordination.
• Strong understanding of constructability, clash detection, prefabrication, spool sheets, fabrication detailing, and how BIM models translate into field installation.
• Proficiency in Revit and Navisworks Manage .
• Experience with Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC), Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office/Microsoft 365; final software requirements are being confirmed.
• Demonstrated ability to manage people, review deliverables, establish accountability, and maintain quality without needing to perform modeling personally.
• Strong project scheduling, workload forecasting, resource management, and organizational skills, including the ability to coordinate internal teams and external vendors.
• Ability and willingness to conduct regular job-site visits and collaborate directly with field personnel.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across project teams, management, contractors, and design professionals.
• Degree in Construction Management, BIM Technology, Engineering, or a related discipline preferred; equivalent hands-on or field-developed experience will be considered.
• Experience with Revizto, Dynamo, Trimble Layout Systems, Power BI, or reality capture software is a plus.
• Experience building or scaling a VDC department, managing third-party modeling firms, working in a union environment, or coordinating across multiple offices is preferred.
• Must be able to work a hybrid schedule with regular in-person attendance in the Sacramento area; candidates based in San Mateo or Reno/Sparks may also be considered if they can reliably commute to Sacramento.
• Must demonstrate a team-first, accountable, and collaborative leadership style and an interest in developing people rather than remaining focused on hands-on modeling.