Senior VDC Manager

Gilbane Building; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Gilbane Building seeks a Senior VDC Manager to lead VDC staff, drive BIM standards, and coordinate cross-regional initiatives. You will oversee budgets, schedules, and project delivery while developing talent and guiding competitive proposals.

This role sits in the office and on job sites as project needs require, with compensation in the $150k-$190k range for Chicago, IL, plus benefits. Gilbane emphasizes a collaborative, inclusive culture and ongoing training.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in AEC or related field; leadership experience preferred.
• Proven leadership, communication, and organizational abilities.
• Strong BIM knowledge and design software proficiency.
• Experience guiding VDC teams and coordinating across regions.

Responsibilities

• Lead regional VDC strategy development, training, and software rollout.
• Develop BU workloads, budgets, and strategic plans with leadership.
• Create Baseline VDC standards, BEPs, and BIM Execution Plans.
• Coordinate project schedules and integrate with project teams.
• Allocate VDC resources across multiple BUs and projects.
• Manage VDC staff performance and development; ensure deliverables meet quality targets.
• Collaborate with business development and client pursuits; build stakeholder relationships.
• Lead cross-departmental initiatives and participate in strategic planning.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Time management

Analytical skills

Communication

Team environment

Mentoring/training

Prioritization

Education

Bachelor's degree in AEC or related field

Tools

BIM software

Design software

Job description

Overview

Do you consider yourself to be a highly technical, strong communicator with the desire to work in a team environment on complex projects? Gilbane is seeking a

Overview

Do you consider yourself to be a highly technical, strong communicator with the desire to work in a team environment on complex projects? Gilbane is seeking a Senior VDC Manager to lead Business Unit(s) (BUs) VDC staff and is accountable for staff workload, deliverables, and execution on various projects within BU(s); leads enterprise initiatives and cross-regional/cross-departmental efforts. This role will sit in the office and on job sites as determined by project needs.

Who are we?

As a Top-10 ENR Contractor, Gilbane is a family-owned business with 45 offices that has been shaping communities since 1870. Consistently recognized as one of the most reputable construction management firms in the country, Gilbane is committed to delivering projects safely and on-time. You will have the opportunity to build schools, labs, hospitals, corporate offices, sports arenas and more!

We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Who are you?

You are a coach/leader who leads with an inclusive and empathetic mindset. You provide feedback and guidance to help others excel in their current or future roles. You determine priorities, delegate work, and effectively communicate progress. You establish measures to assess the impact, quality, and timeliness of results while praising successes and sharing lessons learned. You build high performing teams by attracting, engaging, developing, and retaining talented individuals through motivation and discipline to maximize impact on the organization and the individual.

You leverage business insights by understanding industry trends, local market/economic conditions, and Gilbane’s business model to make critical decisions and create competitive advantage. You deploy a strategic mindset when considering solutions to long-term opportunities and risks that may develop in the future.

Your core values match Gilbane’s: Integrity, Caring, Teamwork, Toughmindedness, Dedication to Excellence, Discipline, Loyalty, and Entrepreneurship.

What’s in it for you?

Gilbane offers employees multi-dimensional training opportunities through a number of resources. While managing your responsibilities to projects, you will be able to enroll in trainings through our award-winning Gilbane University to build leadership and technical skills. In addition, you would work with an experienced team which provides you with the opportunity to learn new industry skills every day. You will protect and promote the interests of both Gilbane and the client in all matters as well as demonstrating the personal characteristics of a developing leader.

Responsibilities

• Supports VDC Director in creation of regional VDC strategic planning, training, software implementation, and BU Strategic Plans and Sales goals, and all other VDC activities; aligns sub-peer groups and initiatives with company goals and strategic plan
• Develops BU(s) workload, budget, strategic plan, training, and software implementation while reviewing with VDC Director and BU leadership
• Implements Baseline and Enterprise VDC standards
• independently Develops VDC Baseline project specific Building Information Modeling (BIM) Standards and Specifications (BS&S) and BIM Execution Plans (BEPs)
• Independently Develops the project coordination schedule, and reviews with the VDC Director; integrates project construction, coordination schedules, and reviews with project team
• Develops the project approach, scope and budget, and reviews with the VDC Director while aligning with the Project Executive and Controller
• Allocates the appropriate VDC resources across multiple BU(s) or project(s)
• Manages VDC Manager(s) and Engineer(s) day-to-day project requirements, deliverables, and deadlines are met
• Staffs projects with the appropriate VDC resources including people and technology, while managing and forecasting needs proactively with the VDC Director and BU leadership
• Monitors quality and execution of project deliverables and processes, and develops strategies to overcome challenges
• Develops BU(s) budgets, forecasts workload, and reviews these with the VDC Director and/or Operations Manager and Controller
• Serves as a proven Subject Matter Expert (SME) in one or more areas, and leads SME sub-peer group at National level; ensures expert knowledge is shared across the Company
• Develops content for and participates in Business Development (BD), sales, pursuits, and client interviews
• Builds and manages internal and external relationships with all project stakeholders to facilitate project success
• Participates in BU(s) operations including BUL, Operations Managers, PXs, Controller, HR; participates in strategic planning or sales strategy sessions; integrates and participates with support operation peer groups and company initiatives
• Facilitates and supports team communication and ensures project accountability; escalates and reports issues to upper management as needed
• Investigates and reviews new and emerging technology; Participates in pilot projects to test new software/processes
• Identifies and recruits top talent to support growth
• Attends industry events
• Leads various VDC deliverables
• Responsible for the career development and coaching of team members
• Fosters a positive and inclusive work environment to motivate and engage team members
• Interprets and translates the organizational strategy, ensuring team understanding of their role in accomplishing strategic goals
• Collaborates closely with business development to ensure seamless integration with sales strategies including performance metrics on your assigned projects, pursuits, and client deliverables. Actively participates in opportunities to strengthen client, partner, and industry relationships that position Gilbane as the “Builder of Choice”

Experience/Education

Qualifications

• 8-10 years of relevant experience in Architecture, Engineering, Building Information Modeling (BIM), Construction Technology, or a related field
• 3+ years of leadership or supervisory experience
• Bachelor's degree in AEC or a related field preferred but not required
• Demonstrated expertise and industry knowledge gained through practical experience is valued as highly as formal education
• Equivalent combinations of education, training and/ or professional experience will be considered

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong problem-solving skills
• Strong time-management and analytical skills
• Expert knowledge of BIM and design software Strong knowledge of complex design concepts and integrated building components and systems
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team environment
• Ability to train and develop VDC Managers and Engineers on variety of VDC tasks and processes
• Knowledge of various project delivery types and market sectors and how to apply them to the VDC process
• Ability to prioritize tasks of self and direct reports to achieve VDC deliverables deadlines

Salary to be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, and/or experience of the applicant, as well as the internal equity and alignment with the team.

For Chicago, IL, this ranges from $150,000 - $190,000 plus benefits and retirement program.

Gilbane offers an excellent total compensation package which includes competitive health and welfare benefits and a generous profit-sharing/401k plan. We invest in our employees’ education and have built Gilbane University into a top training organization in the construction industry. Qualified applicants who are offered a position must pass a pre-employment substance abuse test.

Gilbane is an Aff… . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or disability status. Click here to view the physical demands and working conditions required to perform this role. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.