Virtual Design & Construction (VDC) Manager

Southland Industries Inc.; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

50% 401(k) match

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Annual bonus program

Paid parental leave

Vacation and holidays

Professional development

Wellness benefits

Job summary

Southland Industries is seeking a VDC Manager to lead the division’s Virtual Design & Construction team, including Project Leads and Specialists. You will partner with divisional leadership, project teams, and enterprise technology groups to align VDC strategies with company direction and business needs.

You will provide direct leadership, set objectives, manage resources, and drive standardization and adoption of enterprise solutions across the division while collaborating with other divisions

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in a related discipline.
• 10–12 years of related experience, incl. 2+ years in a lead role.
• Strong leadership with demonstrated experience building, coaching, and managing high-performing VDC teams.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with leadership, executives, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Solid understanding of project workflows and planning within design/construction environments.
• Deep knowledge of VDC-related technologies.
• Proven ability to analyze complex challenges and develop solutions that align with business and project goals.

Responsibilities

• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing VDC team.
• Provide strategic leadership and business partnership with divisional leadership and stakeholders.
• Drive standardization, alignment, and adoption of enterprise VDC solutions across the division.
• Advance technology training, policies, processes, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Collaborate with other divisions to align on VDC standards, processes, and best practices.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical thinking

VDC technologies

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in related discipline

Job description

Position Summary

The VDC Manager is responsible for leading and supporting the division’s Virtual Design & Construction (VDC) team, including VDC Project Leads and VDC Specialists. This role partners closely with divisional leadership, project teams, and enterprise technology groups to ensure VDC strategies, standards, and solutions align with corporate direction and divisional business needs.

In addition to divisional leadership, the VDC Manager plays a key role in collaborating with other divisions within the company to align on VDC standards, processes, and technology adoption. This role helps reduce siloed operations, improve consistency across the company, and drive stronger alignment with enterprise solutions.

This position works under general supervision, exercises independent judgment, and is expected to resolve issues and make decisions within their scope of responsibility. The VDC Manager provides direct leadership to the divisional VDC team and is accountable for setting objectives, making decisions on critical issues, and contributing to new concepts and policy matters.

Position Details

• Build, Lead, and Develop a High-Performing VDC Team
  • Provide direct leadership to the division VDC team.
  • Manage VDC Project Leads and Specialists, including hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, and performance appraisals.
  • Set clear expectations, objectives, and accountability for team performance and project delivery.
  • Allocate resources effectively to support project priorities and workload demands.
  
  
• Provide Strategic Leadership and Business Partnership
  • Ensure divisional VDC goals align with corporate strategy while addressing division-specific objectives and pain points.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to divisional leadership and project stakeholders on VDC planning, execution, and delivery.
  • Participate in preconstruction planning, estimating, and budgeting efforts as needed to provide early guidance on technology approach and strategies.
  • Communicate plans, priorities, and initiatives effectively to divisional management and cross-functional teams.
  
  
• Drive Standardization, Alignment, and Adoption
  • Promote change and lead the implementation of enterprise solutions at the division level.
  • Partner with AEC Enterprise Services and regional leadership on process, technology, and standardization initiatives.
  • Collaborate with other divisions to align on VDC standards, processes, and best practices.
  • Ensure technology standards are consistent across the division and support broader alignment across the region.
  
  
• Advance Technology, Training, and Continuous Improvement
  • Facilitate AEC technology training and onboarding within the division.
  • Develop, administer, and execute VDC policies, processes, and procedures.
  • Monitor and document emerging technologies and competitor capabilities.
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to improve workflows, adoption, and team effectiveness
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related discipline preferred.
• 10–12 years of related experience, including a minimum of 2 years in a lead role.
• Strong leadership capabilities with demonstrated experience building, coaching, and managing high-performing VDC teams.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to engage with and present to leadership, executives, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Solid understanding of project workflows and planning within the design and construction environment, including workload and financial management.
• Deep knowledge of VDC-related technologies.
• Proven expertise in engineering, fabrication, and construction processes, with a broad understanding of related technical disciplines.
• Ability to analyze complex challenges, evaluate diverse inputs, and develop solutions that align with business and project goals.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with 50% company match (no cap) and immediate 100% vesting
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (100% paid for employee)
• Annual bonus program based upon performance, achievement, and company profitability
• Term life, AD&D insurance, and voluntary life insurance
• Disability income protection insurance
• Pre-tax flexible spending plans (health and dependent care)
• Paid parental leave
• Paid holidays, vacation, and personal time
• Training/professional development opportunities and company-paid memberships for professional associations and licenses
• Wellness benefits

About Southland Industries

As one of the nation’s largest MEP companies, Southland Industries is built on the foundation of great people. Since 1949, we have put our people first, enabling growth, professional achievement, and innovation.

To learn more about careers at Southland, explore our career opportunities, follow us on social media, and check out our website.

Southland Industries and all its subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity Employerand prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing our employees with a safe work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Southland Industries are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, marital status, family care or medical leave status, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Southland Industries will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

Contingent Employment:

All employment offers are contingent upon successful drug tests, background checks, and professional reference checks. Roles that include driving as an essential job duty will be required to have a successful Motor Vehicle Record check (MVR). We are not able to offer sponsorship of employment at this time.

External Agency Announcement

Its Southland Industries' policy not to accept candidate submissions from recruiting agencies without an active and authorized work order. Candidate ownership can only be established after a bona fide work order is issued by a member of the Southland Industries Talent Acquisition team and the candidate is appropriately submitted through our Applicant Tracking System (ATS).