How to Become a BIM Manager

BIM Managers are an essential part of the AEC industry. The first step to pursuing this career path is learning about the tools and skillsets you will need to succeed in BIM management. BIM Managers need industry-specific training in software like Revit and Navisworks and often start in entry-level positions working as BIM Technicians before gaining the experience necessary to lead their organization’s use of BIM technology. Read on to learn more about the BIM career path and how you can take the next steps to become a BIM Manager. 

What is a BIM Manager?

BIM Managers are responsible for developing and managing the use of BIM software practices at an organizational level. BIM stands for building information modeling and is becoming an essential part of drafting, modeling, and managing projects in industries like design and Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC). BIM Managers will lead their organization’s use of digital software and construction documentation and are responsible for tasks such as setting standards for creating BIMs, handling BIM software updates or issues, assigning project tasks to team members, managing important construction documents, and interfacing with clients and other important project stakeholders. 

The role of a BIM Manager requires these professionals to oversee an organization’s use of BIM software. To be successful, BIM Managers need to know how to work with BIM software like Revit and need to know how this software interacts with others like AutoCAD, SketchUp, and other BIM and CAD programs depending on their organization’s needs. In addition to knowing how to use BIM software, these professionals will need strong communication and leadership skills, as they will be in charge of a larger team and need to facilitate communication between different project stakeholders. While one can find entry-level BIM jobs after receiving the necessary training, this role will require five to ten years of on-the-job experience, similar to other manager and director roles within an organization. 

What Tools Do I Need To Get Started?

The most important tool to master when pursuing a career as a BIM Manager is BIM software. You will especially want to know how to use Revit, Autodesk’s industry-standard software that allows users to create detail-rich models of buildings and infrastructure in 2D, 3D, and 4D and generate necessary construction documentation. BIM Managers will not usually be involved in the day-to-day creation of models in Revit, instead, they will be expected to have mastery over Revit so that they can set standards for how the organization uses it, train others in best practices, and troubleshoot any BIM software issues that arise. 

BIM Managers will also need to know how Revit integrates with other BIM and CAD software. Autodesk also makes other software tools that BIM Managers need to know how to use, like AutoCAD, BIM 360, and Navisworks. All Autodesk software is available for a monthly or yearly subscription and subscriptions can be costly. Autodesk bundles some industry-specific programs together, like the Autodesk Architecture, Engineering & Construction Collection, which includes AutoCAD, Revit, Civil 3D, and other necessary software for the AEC industry.

Beginning learners can download a free trial of any necessary Autodesk software and some training programs will also include subscriptions that students can use during their coursework. A BIM Manager will likely not have to pay for their own software subscriptions as their company or organization will purchase the necessary software. Part of a BIM Manager's role may be to manage software subscriptions, so while someone in this position will likely not have to pay for their own software they will still need to know important details like subscription costs, system requirements, interoperability features, and renewal options. 

Most BIM software runs on Windows PCs, so it is important to be familiar with this operating system as a BIM Manager. An exception to this is Graphisoft’s Archicad which runs on both PCs and Macs and is used mainly within the architecture industry. Even if you’re using Archicad or another Mac-capable software program, many of the other professionals you will collaborate with will likely use PCs and you should consider Windows the standard operating system for BIM software. You should not need to know computer programming for this role, though this knowledge could help you add value to your skillset when navigating the job market. 

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Steps to Become a BIM Manager

Pursue Formal Training

Educational background is important for prospective BIM Managers. Many within this role do have a degree in construction, computer drafting, architecture, engineering, or a related field. This degree will provide initial training in the necessary technical skills and conceptual knowledge to work within your industry. A degree might not provide all of the training you need and some find that they need to pursue more comprehensive or advanced training in Revit, construction documentation, or BIM software outside of a multi-year degree program. 

You can pursue work as a BIM Manager without a formal degree, but you will need something on your CV to show that you’re well-trained in BIM and industry practices. A career-oriented certificate program can be one way to show that you’ve received the appropriate training to work as a BIM Manager and you can find nationally accredited BIM and CAD training that will show employers that you have the right skillsets. Use Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool to find in-person and online BIM training that will meet your needs. Certifications can also show your proficiency and some employers will want to see these as part of the job requirements.

Choose Industry Specialization 

BIM Managers generally work in the AEC industry but is important to determine which field you want to work in within this industry. Some BIM Managers specialize in working within construction whereas others will work in architecture or engineering. You should choose the industry sector that you find most interesting or one that you already have formal training in. Some people more naturally will gravitate towards wanting to work with others designing systems or infrastructure while others like the on-the-ground nature of construction management. 

Though each field might use the same software, their industry practices, regulations, and workflows will be different. This can cause problems for those who start out working in one field but desire to transfer to another. Most will find that once they start working in one sector, it will be difficult to move between sectors as their field-specific experience will not necessarily transfer. 

Gain On-The-Job Experience 

Someone wanting to work as a BIM Manager will need years of on-the-job experience. While some can find BIM Manager positions after only a few years of experience, the average amount of experience needed for this position is five to ten years. BIM management is a high-level position that requires expert knowledge of BIM and CAD software and expert knowledge of how one’s industry and organization uses the software. 

Many BIM Managers start working as BIM Technicians, BIM Modelers, or even CAD Modelers or Technicians. These are entry-level positions that you can get after completing a degree program or certificate program. They are a great way to start learning how to use software to tackle real-world projects and you will start learning how a company or organization manages projects. BIM Managers need to be highly motivated and those who occupy this position will need to move up the ranks after these entry-level positions and be unafraid to actively contribute to the designs and decisions being made at their company, organization, or design firm. 

Develop Leadership & Project Management Skills

While mastering BIM software and other technical skills is important for BIM Managers, it will also be important to develop the skills to lead a team of other professionals and manage projects for your organization or company. BIM Managers are responsible for setting standards for how an organization uses BIM software and this will require being familiar with the duties, needs, and capabilities of those within the organization who use BIM. Starting with entry-level positions and listening to those working at various levels within your organization will help you lead your organization’s use of BIM software. 

Communication is one of the most important skills for both a team leader and a project manager. BIM Managers will need to communicate with BIM professionals, Architects, Engineers, construction professionals, and project stakeholders to set expectations for how to use BIM software and to provide any necessary training or troubleshooting help with the technology. Someone wanting to work in this role will need to be able to explain the purpose and function of how other professionals use BIM and CAD software and need to be a teacher, leader, and guide for everything related to the necessary technology and industry standards. 

BIM Manager Career Path

BIM Managers have a defined career path that moves from entry-level positions up to working as senior-level BIM Consultants. After receiving training in a degree or certificate program, most BIM Managers start in entry-level positions like BIM Technician or BIM Modeler. These are positions that will allow you to work on digital modeling projects and master BIM software. It is also possible to start in related positions like CAD Drafter, which will provide basic training in industries like architecture, engineering, or design. Entry-level positions provide you with the initial experience you’ll build upon through further specialization and leadership roles. 

After entry-level positions, one can move into a position as a BIM Coordinator or BIM Specialist. BIM Coordinators work with their team members and other project stakeholders to create and manage digital construction models. They will ensure that models meet quality control standards and help troubleshoot and resolve any issues that arise. BIM Specialists have expertise in digital model creation and will work to create and manage detailed, accurate building and infrastructure models. They will have a more direct role in designing, creating, and managing the model than someone like a BIM Technician who will create models of others’ designs.

You can become a BIM Manager without a college or university degree. In this case, you will still want something that attests to your skillset. A certificate of completion from a training program can be a good way to show that you know BIM software and have the necessary knowledge to complete the job requirements. You can usually use on-the-job experience to substitute for lack of a degree. In this case, you will want to cultivate an impressive resume and portfolio that can illustrate your successes and have strong references who can speak to your abilities. 

Why Become A BIM Manager?

Most people pursue BIM management because they enjoy working with modeling software in the AEC industry. This is a good career path to pursue for anyone who wants to be a part of the process of designing or building structures or systems. Enjoying the technical aspects of working with BIM and CAD software is also a good sign that BIM management might be a good profession for you to pursue. If you enjoy working with new technologies, training others how to use them, and figuring out best practices for software, you could have a long career working with BIM. 

Outside of the desire to pursue their own interests, BIM Managers also enjoy a comparatively high salary and many advancement opportunities. In the US, BIM Managers currently earn an average salary that ranges from $75,000 to $139,000 and includes additional pay and benefits. While you need years of experience to become a BIM Manager, you can also use your senior-level role to transition into working as a BIM Consultant, a position that can offer higher pay and more flexibility and independence. 

Learn the Skills to Become a BIM Manager at Noble Desktop

The Virtual Design & Construction Institute (VDCI) offers two comprehensive certificate programs for those needing BIM Manager training. VDCI offers nationally accredited training for those pursuing work in the AEC industry and design fields which makes them a great option for those who want accelerated, career-oriented training. Their classes and certificate programs are conveniently online and part-time and provide industry-standard technical skills, software, and professional skill development so that students can easily move from the classroom to the workplace. 

The BIM Certificate Program is a condensed, self-paced online training program that aims to get students job-ready in just eight months. This course of study tasks students with learning introductory and intermediate Revit skills, designing a complex 3D building model, and generating necessary construction documentation. Those enrolled in this program will also take additional electives and have the chance to specialize in Revit MEP, Revit Structure, or SketchUp Pro. Students will have access to software during their course of study. 

Another VDCI program to consider is the CAD/BIM Certificate Program, a ten-month, self-paced training program for those who need both AutoCAD and BIM training. Like the BIM Certificate Program, those in this program will learn how to use Revit and create detailed construction documents through BIM software. This longer course of study will include detailed training in 2D drafting with AutoCAD and how to use this software to create construction documents. Students will have access to any necessary software when taking this course and can specialize through electives in Revit MEP, Revit Structure, or AutoCAD construction documents. 

Noble Desktop also offers top-rated, career-oriented training in AutoCAD. Their 30-hour AutoCAD Bootcamp provides intensive training in using the basic and advanced features of this software’s industry-standard 2D drawing features. Those pursuing Autodesk certification will be interested in the AutoCAD Certification Program, which provides comprehensive training in introductory, intermediate, and advanced AutoCAD drawing tools and technical skillsets. The cost of the Autodesk Certified Professional in AutoCAD for Design & Drafting exam is included in the course’s tuition and enrolled students will also receive six hours of 1-on-1 private tutoring to prepare for this certification exam and enhance their AutoCAD skills. All of Noble Desktop’s classes are taught by expert instructors who will provide students with hands-on training and individualized feedback on their skill levels. Classes can be taken in person at their Manhattan training facility or online from any location.