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As green energy replaces legacy energy sources, the number of people employed across the clean energy sector continues to rise.

The green workforce in the US increased by 5 percent in 2015 to 8.1 million, according to Bloomberg, and some 24 million people will be working in clean energy by 2030.

That translates to one out of every 33 jobs being in clean energy, writes Jigar Shah at Greentech Media. (The fastest-growing job in that category? Wind technician, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.)

Clean energy recruiters here at home, in Canada and across the globe are sourcing talent, especially experienced professionals who can lead the industry forward. We’ve compiled a list of 17 clean energy recruiters with offices in North America who can help bring executives and employers together.

Airswift

Headquartered in Houston, Airswift is an international recruiter within the energy, process and infrastructure industries. The company, together with Energy Jobline, recently released what it calls the world’s largest energy workforce survey. The Global Energy Talent Index, in which 16,000 respondents—hiring managers and professionals—took part, answers questions about salaries, hiring rates, upcoming global energy hot spots and more.

Preng & Associates

Dedicated exclusively to the energy industry, Preng & Associates recruits board members and senior leadership teams for placement across the energy value chain. With offices in Houston and London, the executive search firm has more than three decades experience with clients in clean technology, renewable and nuclear power.

Boyden

This global executive search firm founded in 1946 offers interim management and leadership consulting in addition to executive search services, and has clients around the world. 

In the energy sector, Boyden recognizes that the many different business models are impacted similarly by globals events and developments in cleaner and smarter energy technologies. With that understanding and networks across the industry, they put top talent together with employers with an eye to future growth and value creation.

Thacher Executive Search

Green technology is just one of the industry segments for which Thacher Executive provides search services. Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, the recruiting firm was established by Adam Thacher in 2001 and primarily recruits C-level and VP-level executives.

McAulay Smith

This full-service executive search company in Charlotte, North Carolina, acts only for the client company that has retained them to fill a mid- or senior-level executive or management positions. Since 1995, McAulay Smith has represented employers across the nation and in nine countries, in all industries including energy. The firm is proud that 82 percent of its new business comes from repeat clients.

Heidrick & Struggles

One of the first executive search agencies in the country, Heidrick & Struggles has been serving the talent needs of top organizations across industry sectors for more than 60 years. Today, it has more than 300 recruiters in 25 countries. 

The firm has experts in three main energy categories: utilities, alternative and renewable energy, and oil and gas. The Alternative and Renewable Energy team at Heidrick & Struggles writes that they’ve seen “an explosion of activity in this space worldwide.”

Spencer Stuart

A global leader in executive search, this Chicago-based firm also consults with organizations on senior leadership needs, including executive assessment and succession planning. A privately owned company founded in 1956, Spencer Stuart services the energy space, specializing in oil and natural gas as well as power and electric utilities sectors. 

CSI Executive Search

Recruiters at CSI, with offices across the nation, have an extensive network of sourcing venues, broad industry experience and a proprietary database across renewable energy arenas. Whether you are a wind project developer or solar marketing analyst (or you’re looking for one), CSI Executive Search matches talent with green energy organizations in solar, wind, biomass, biofuel, geothermal and other specialties.

Penrhyn International

An international network of executive search firms, with offices in more than 40 cities worldwide, Penrhyn International may be of particular interest to candidates in the renewable energy sector. The company has extensive experience and contacts in that sector, as well as utilities and renewables, especially regarding board and senior technical and operational positions.

JDRenergy

With offices in New York, London and Sydney, JDRenergy is a young company, recruiting on an international scale. Recruiters look for high-quality candidates within sectors including renewable energy (whether that be wind, solar, hydro or energy from waste conversion) and smart energy.

Odgers Berndtson

This full-service executive search firm started in Brussels 50 years ago. It’s now got offices around the world, including across the US. In the energy sector, the team at Odgers Berndtson writes that cleantech and renewable energy firms, whether established or startups, have to secure talented and experienced executives in order to successfully commercialize their products.

Russell Reynolds

Recruiting leaders who can help implement new energy efficient technologies in the renewable energy, cleantech and sustainability sectors is part of what Russell Reynolds does. The executive search and recruitment firm has offices around the world with more than 400 consultants and uses a scientific, evidence-based approach to predicting executive performance and long-term success.

Amrop Knightsbridge

Industry sub-sectors, including green technology, are covered by this global executive recruiter. Founded in 1977, with its head office in Brussels, Amrop has a dual approach to its executive searches: context driven (matching company and talent values and standards) and local knowledge of the markets worldwide.

Stanton Chase

A retained executive search firm headquartered in Dallas, Stanton Chase was founded in 1990 and is now a global player. The firm has deep knowledge of the energy sector, including in world energy capitals as well as in critical emerging markets. Clients range from those in utilities to alternative and renewable energies such as wind, solar, geothermal, hydropower and biomass.

Aplin Executive Search

Serving the natural resource industries as well as utility corporations, including renewable energy, Aplin Executive Search is a division of Canada’s David Aplin Group. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, company offices can be found throughout the country, from British Columbia to Nova Scotia. Accredited by the Association of Executive Search Consultants, the Aplin team strives to build long-term relationships with employers and executives alike.

TRANSEARCH

For 30 years, this international team of executive search consultants has been matching top-notch candidates with employers. One of the segments in which TRANSEARCH principals have expertise is that of renewable energy and clean technology, successfully finding and placing talent in key roles of organizations across markets, from biofuels and smart grids to energy storage and wastewater.

EnergeiaWorks

Based in New York, this international executive search firm founded in 2010 services the environmental sustainability and renewable energy markets. Its corporate clients include government organizations and alternative energy service providers. With a proprietary database of more than 30,000 professionals working in solar, wind and other sustainable energy fields, EnergeiaWorks is able to expertly match executive candidates with employers.

Credits:

Thomas Richter
Anthony Indraus
Karsten Würth