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Main contracting companies and trade contractors increasingly rely on 3D models to inform their work. As a result, the implementation of building information modelling (BIM) has been expanding, particularly on larger-scale projects.

Because of the increasing use of BIM in construction projects, firms are hiring more roles that manage BIM. Working as a BIM manager could be an ideal fit for someone who likes problem-solving, has strong coordination and communication skills, and wants to stay on the leading edge of construction technology.

In this article, we will look at the role of a BIM manager, exploring what BIM management is, the day-to-day responsibilities of a BIM manager and the path to getting started in this field.

How Organisations Approach BIM Hires

In the 2010s, BIM was getting a lot of buzz in the construction industry. Main contractors (MCs) took notice and some built large BIM departments. However, ineffective management and a lack of integration with the project team caused some of these teams to crash and burn. In response, many MCs wiped out their BIM groups.

Trade contractors, on the other hand, have seen continued success with investing in BIM. As project programmes tighten, BIM becomes particularly important because it enables better prefabrication. With a trustworthy model in place, trade contractors can prefabricate systems so they fit and function precisely as needed once installed on site.

Pair the trades’ success with BIM with an increasing owner interest in modelling, and many MCs have circled back to this field. Some firms have started building internal BIM teams again, albeit at a slower and more careful rate than a decade ago.

Each company has its own definition of the BIM manager role and the responsibilities that fall under it. Generally speaking, though, the BIM manager is tasked with leading projects’ coordination efforts based on both the 3D model and its associated 2D documents (i.e. drawings and specifications).

The way the company structures that role depends on the company’s structure and specific needs. There is generally variation in the following areas.

Team Structure

At some companies, the BIM manager heads their department, with other roles like BIM specialists, co-ordinators or assistant BIM managers under them. In this case, the BIM manager’s role is overseeing the team under them. In other instances, the BIM team is only one or a few people, all on the same level, each tasked with overseeing BIM management on specific projects.

Organisational Structure

The BIM manager might be a hire within any number of the company’s departments, including construction technology, pre-construction, operations or even IT.

Purview

Some companies assign one dedicated BIM manager to each specific project. Others have BIM managers oversee multiple projects running in tandem. The number of projects for which the person is responsible usually correlates to the size and scope of the project(s). One BIM manager might manage only one large, involved project, for example, while another person oversees three smaller projects at the same time.

Job Growth

Historically, the career trajectory for BIM managers has been fairly flat. As the use cases for BIM evolve, though, some companies have developed career paths that allow individuals to grow from BIM co-ordinators/specialists to BIM managers and eventually Directors of BIM.

No matter how the role is structured within the company, the BIM manager generally needs to interface with both their own organisation’s internal teams and external partners (e.g. specialist contractors, if the BIM manager works for an MC).

Typical BIM Manager Job Responsibilities

BIM managers usually work in tandem with the project management team. At the same time, they collaborate with other key members of the construction project team, like site supervisors and trade contractor foremen. It is their responsibility to create the model for the project, integrating input from other parties, then to keep that model continually updated.

Using the model, the BIM manager might: