Associate Director of Vitual Design in Construction (VDC), EMEA

At IPS, we are global leaders in developing innovative solutions for the consulting, architecture, engineering, project controls, procurement, construction management, and CQV of technically complex facilities, primarily in the life sciences industry. We are looking for a talented Associate Director of Vitual Design in Construction (VDC), EMEA, to join our dedicated team. This role can be located at any of IPS's offices within the EMEA region

The Associate Director of VDC - EMEA supports the Director of Digital & BIM - EMEA with the utilisation, growth and development of professionals in the BIM Design Discipline which is comprised of VDC Managers across the EMEA Region. The Associate Director of VDC - EMEA shall:

• Ensure consistent, high-quality deliverables via QA / QC reviews and technical Audits.
• Support business development with technical support, proposal generation and work hour estimates.
• Possess sufficient technical proficiency in the various facets of VDC design to understand project requirements and apply the appropriate resources and execution approach for a successful project.
• Supports strategic company initiatives and innovation and supports alignment at a discipline level.
• Acts as a SME for specified VDC areas to support IPS’ general development.
• Supports Discipline GATEway initiative, controlling budget hours, building relationships with IPSM counterparts and ensure quality is delivered on every project.
• Ensure alignment with Global VDC procedures, standards and software.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Is responsible for the implementation of the strategic direction as set out by the Director of Digital & BIM – EMEA.
• Is responsible for the execution of the work performed by the VDC team in EMEA.
• Coordinates with Regional Senior Directors, Project Managers and Proposal Managers to determine scope, cost, complexity, planning and scheduling requirements of projects.
• Assigns appropriate personnel, in close cooperation with the Director of Digital & BIM - EMEA, to provide cost-effective design and technical support for VDC.
• Implement an appropriate cost-effective workflow process and level of design detail to achieve project goals.
• Estimates work hours needed to generate project deliverables and support the design team.
• Ensures the quality, accuracy, consistency, timeliness and completeness of overall work to the required discipline engineering principles; compliance with established IPS Quality Management standards, procedures, codes and ordinances; adherence to project schedules; and provides adequate training, technical and administrative guidance and instruction to personnel within the discipline.
• Supports a VDC strategic business plan in concert with overall company planning efforts involving technical/regulatory activities that are required to achieve long range annual goals and objectives.
• Supports the VDC Design Communities of Practice (CoP’s) to promote continuous development of the BIM Engineering Framework. Develops discipline policies, technical standards and procedures. Assists in the development and coordination of divisional and inter-departmental policies, procedures and standards.
• Liaises with the other EMEA Directors & Associate Directors to ensure all projects executed by IPS are completed in a consistent manner.
• Actively drives Innovation to look at new ways of delivering value to IPS clients, aligning with Artificial Intelligence and the IPS Business Digital Transformation (B-Dx) initiative to increase design productivity using technology to reduce manual, labour intensive tasks.
• Maintains connections to relevant industry bodies and and trade groups to maintain current thinking in the group. Encourages participation in professional bodies for CPD of VDC Design Team members.
• Supports the Director of Digital & BIM - EMEA in hiring, performance appraisal, salary position recommendations and employee development of the EMEA VDC team.
• ans and schedules work for the discipline to ensure the proper and effective distribution of assignments and manpower as well as space and facilities for subsequent performance of duties.
• Liaison for inter-office labour, work sharing and outsourcing to consultants.
• Evaluates and initiates the necessary training of the discipline to ensure pertinent technical competence, acceptable social/communication skills and personal development of leadership.
• Determines labour, resource and financial needs of the discipline.
• Regularly reviews productivity/quality reports to ensure top performance.
• Participates in business development by seeking out new projects with existing or new clients.
• Contributes to the preparation and delivery of sales presentations and proposals.
• Liaises with the Discipline & Location Senior Director’s to support the technical compliance and development of IPS’ services ensuring our current design software systems are being used to full capabilities in addition to advising additional software packages and bolt-ons to improve our performance and efficiency.
• Delivers projects and consultancy work as required.
• Develops VDC design deliverables for all phases of a project and ensures quality of all VDC deliverables during construction phases, including digital twins, cupix scanning progress versus the 3D model and Fusor to align with projects upto a potential of a 7D delivery model.
• Actively collaborates with the VDC Design and Project Teams to support execution of successful projects aligning levels of detail (LOD) at each project phase.
• Collaborates with client counterpart to develop concepts to be applied to the client project.
• Prepares or reviews VDC construction budgets based on experience and scope of project.
• Travels to other IPS office locations and client sites to support projects and business objectives.
• Facilitate VDC Team meetings as required.
• Special projects as assigned.
• One time task: make sure to support a smooth transition to the new organisation considering concerns and resistance of employees and superiors.
• Understand and promote the IPS Visions and Values within the organisation.

Line of Report

• The Associate Director of VDC - EMEA shall reports to the Director of Digital & BIM - EMEA.
• The Director of Digital & BIM – EMEA reports to the Senior Director, Design (Facility) – EMEA who reports to the EMEA Operations Director.

NOTE: The closing date for application is the 31st July 2025

• Extensive experience in the design of Pharmaceutical and BioPharmaceutical facilities for the cGMP production of biological and pharmaceutical drugs.
• Progressive ability, capacity, and aptitude in administration to plan, organize, supervise, and coordinate technical work and to obtain cooperation from others.
• Analytical thinking, structured problem-solving skills, superior communication skills, team building, and strong work ethic.
• A HNC in Mechanical or Electrical Design or equivalent.
• Ability to work flexibly and cooperatively as part of a fluid, developing team to target business growth and high-quality projects.
• Expertise in how engineering design programs are applied to computer-aided drafting.
• Experience preparing preliminary and final design documents, including digital twins, cupix scanning progress versus the 3D model, and Fusor to align with projects up to a potential of a 7D delivery model.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and presence to deal effectively with senior-level contacts.
• Committed to building and nurturing a culture of collaboration and inclusivity.
• Proven track record of leading teams through change effectively and maintaining a productive and positive team culture.
• Role model high-performance work ethic, with a strong focus on performance management, succession, and talent management.
• Proven track record in developing successful employee engagement strategies.
• Ability to partner proactively with key support functions to drive successful business outcomes.

All interviews are conducted either in person or virtually, with video required.

IPS, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a global leader in technical consulting, architecture, engineering, procurement, construction management, commissioning, qualification, and validation services for technically complex facilities. Integration is how we think and work. It requires the ability to unite existing and emerging technologies into a process that reliably delivers products and accelerates speed to market. That end-to-end mindset allows us to be agile and anticipate challenges as we move projects toward operational readiness. IPS applies design and delivery expertise, client-side experience, and supplier-side insight to every project. We infuse our curiosity, our passion, and our commitment to partnership in delivering solutions at any scale. We meet our clients where they are and get them to where they need to go. That’s only possible when we care as much as our clients do.

Specialties

Process Architecture, Process Design, Engineering, Construction, Commissioning, Qualification, LEAN Project Delivery, Strategic Master Planning, Energy Conservation Management, Project Controls, Program/Project Management, Operations/Logistics Strategy and Planning, EPCMV, and Staffing Services.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment at IPS without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic predisposition or carrier status, veteran, marital, or citizenship status, or any other status protected by law. IPS is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.

If you do not meet the qualifications for this specific role, but would like to submit your resume for general consideration, please click here!