Associate Consultant
Position Summary
The Associate Consultant role at VDA is a foundational, client-facing position that blends technical support, project coordination, and strategic problem-solving within the vertical transportation industry. You will collaborate with internal teams and external clients to identify challenges, propose solutions, and contribute to the successful delivery of projects involving elevators, escalators, and other conveyance systems.
A core focus of this role is ensuring that all tasks — whether technical, administrative, or client-related — are completed to the highest standard, efficiently and effectively. Your work will directly support smooth operations across departments, keeping projects on track and clients informed.
In this position, you’ll be exposed to a variety of vertical transportation activities, including field observations, data analysis, report preparation, and meeting participation. The role offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on industry experience while developing skills in consulting, communication, and project execution. As an Associate Consultant, you’ll play a key role in helping VDA meet client expectations, drive internal goals forward, and grow as a trusted advisor in a specialized and expanding field.
What You'll Do:
As an integral member of the VDA team, you will:
Serve as a key support partner in client engagements, helping to identify challenges and offer consultative solutions.Participate in project planning, tracking milestones, and ensuring deliverables are met on time and to the highest standards.Conduct research, gather technical data, and assist with creating reports, proposals, and client presentations.Attend client and internal meetings to understand project goals and provide feedback and insights.Help maintain organized documentation and contribute to the operational efficiency of the team.What We’re Looking For:
Minimum Qualifications:
A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent work experience.Strong communication skills (both written and verbal).Detail-oriented, organized, and proactive mindset.Solid experience with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).Ability to work effectively with clients, team members, and across departments.Preferred Qualifications:
Prior experience in project coordination, consulting, or a client-facing role.Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Monday.com, Asana, MS Project).Basic understanding of data analysis or reporting.Knowledge of the construction, real estate, or building services industries is a plus.Why VDA?
Culture of Collaboration: We take pride in fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and energetic workplace.Professional Growth: This role is designed to be a launchpad. You'll have opportunities to expand your skills, learn the ropes of a unique industry, and grow into new roles.Meaningful Work: The work you do will have a direct impact on safety, efficiency, and innovation in buildings across the country — and increasingly, around the world.Growing Company, Expanding Horizons: VDA is in an exciting phase of growth, with acquisitions and expansion into international markets. There’s never been a better time to join the journey. Read LessAssociate Consultant
Position Summary
The Associate Consultant role at VDA is a foundational, client-facing position that blends technical support, project coordination, and strategic problem-solving within the vertical transportation industry. You will collaborate with internal teams and external clients to identify challenges, propose solutions, and contribute to the successful delivery of projects involving elevators, escalators, and other conveyance systems.
A core focus of this role is ensuring that all tasks — whether technical, administrative, or client-related — are completed to the highest standard, efficiently and effectively. Your work will directly support smooth operations across departments, keeping projects on track and clients informed.
In this position, you’ll be exposed to a variety of vertical transportation activities, including field observations, data analysis, report preparation, and meeting participation. The role offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on industry experience while developing skills in consulting, communication, and project execution. As an Associate Consultant, you’ll play a key role in helping VDA meet client expectations, drive internal goals forward, and grow as a trusted advisor in a specialized and expanding field.
What You'll Do:
As an integral member of the VDA team, you will:
Serve as a key support partner in client engagements, helping to identify challenges and offer consultative solutions.Participate in project planning, tracking milestones, and ensuring deliverables are met on time and to the highest standards.Conduct research, gather technical data, and assist with creating reports, proposals, and client presentations.Attend client and internal meetings to understand project goals and provide feedback and insights.Help maintain organized documentation and contribute to the operational efficiency of the team.What We’re Looking For:
Minimum Qualifications:
A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent work experience.Strong communication skills (both written and verbal).Detail-oriented, organized, and proactive mindset.Solid experience with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).Ability to work effectively with clients, team members, and across departments.Preferred Qualifications:
Prior experience in project coordination, consulting, or a client-facing role.Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Monday.com, Asana, MS Project).Basic understanding of data analysis or reporting.Knowledge of the construction, real estate, or building services industries is a plus.Why VDA?
Culture of Collaboration: We take pride in fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and energetic workplace.Professional Growth: This role is designed to be a launchpad. You'll have opportunities to expand your skills, learn the ropes of a unique industry, and grow into new roles.Meaningful Work: The work you do will have a direct impact on safety, efficiency, and innovation in buildings across the country — and increasingly, around the world.Growing Company, Expanding Horizons: VDA is in an exciting phase of growth, with acquisitions and expansion into international markets. There’s never been a better time to join the journey. Read LessAbout the Role:
The Associate Consultant/QEI Inspector plays a critical role in ensuring the highest standards of quality and compliance within existing equipment, modernization, and construction projects. This position is responsible for conducting thorough quality evaluations, witnessing QEI inspections, writing detailed specifications and providing expert guidance to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and industry best practices. The role demands a proactive approach to identifying potential issues early, recommending corrective actions, and collaborating closely with property owners, building managers, project managers and stakeholders to maintain the highest level of integrity. The Associate will also be instrumental in following inspection protocols and training programs to elevate the overall quality assurance framework. Ultimately, this position ensures that all consulting/inspection services meet or exceed client expectations and statutory obligations, thereby safeguarding safety, reliability, and performance standards.
Minimum Qualifications:
Minimum of 10 years of field experience as a mechanic or supervisor in the elevator industry.Qualified Elevator Inspector (QEI) accreditation or equivalent recognized certification.Strong knowledge of relevant building codes, safety regulations, and quality standards.Proven experience in preparing detailed field audit, modernization and inspection reports.
Preferred Qualifications:
Proficient with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Teams and Excel.Experience with Customer Relationship Management software, such as Salesforce.Experience working in a fast-paced environment and being detail-oriented.Able to demonstrate organizational and time management skills and the ability to work with minimal supervision.Must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate effectively with people remotely.
Responsibilities:
Coordinate field activities to assess compliance with quality, safety, and regulatory standards across various projects.Conduct detailed site inspections, audits, and evaluations to identify defects, non-conformities, and areas for improvement.Prepare comprehensive reports that document findings, recommendations, and corrective action plans.Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, including property managers, engineers, developers and owners to identify their vertical transportation system’s needs for both new and existing elevators and offer the appropriate consulting services.Collaborate with project teams, contractors, and clients to communicate field survey results and ensure timely resolution of issues.Develop and implement quality assurance procedures to enhance quality.Stay updated with industry regulations, standards, and best practices to ensure ongoing compliance and continuous improvement.
Skills:
The required skills enable the Associate Consultant/QEI Inspector to perform precise and thorough inspections, ensuring that all project elements meet stringent quality and safety standards. Strong analytical and observational skills are essential for identifying deferred maintenance, repair, poor workmanship and non-compliance issues during site visits. Effective communication skills facilitate clear reporting and collaboration with diverse stakeholders, including contractors and clients. Preferred skills such as proficiency with digital technologies and advanced accreditations that enhance efficiency and support the implementation of best practices in quality assurance.
Read Less