Principal Consultant - Perm (Retained)

Eager to build a market-leading Energy recruitment business across Europe? Whether you want to inherit a warm desk with established clients or create your own vertical from the ground up, this is an exceptional opportunity to join NES Fircroft as a Principal Consultant or Managing Consultant within our European Energy Permanent Recruitment division.

This role is focused on delivering senior-level permanent recruitment solutions across the Energy sector throughout Europe. We're particularly interested in experienced recruiters with a STEM-related background including Energy, Infrastructure, Engineering, IT/Technology, Renewables, Power, Utilities, Manufacturing, or Industrial sectors. Candidates must have experience working within a retained search model, with a proven ability to secure and deliver retained assignments.

What You'll Be Doing

• Developing Strategic Client Relationships: Build and maintain long-term partnerships with Energy organisations across Europe, engaging directly with senior stakeholders and decision-makers.
• Managing Permanent Recruitment Assignments: Deliver high-quality permanent and executive-level recruitment solutions across Energy, Renewables, Power, Utilities, Infrastructure, Engineering, and Technology sectors.
• Executing Retained Search Projects: Lead retained recruitment processes from market mapping and talent identification through to offer negotiation and successful placement.
• Growing Existing Business: Expand established client relationships through account development, cross-selling opportunities, and increased market penetration.
• Building New Markets: Develop new client relationships and create business opportunities within identified Energy and Infrastructure markets across Europe.
• Market Mapping & Intelligence: Conduct detailed market research and competitor analysis to identify emerging opportunities, talent pools, and hiring trends.
• Candidate Engagement: Build strong networks of highly skilled technical and leadership talent across Europe and global Energy markets.
• Business Development Excellence: Generate new opportunities through targeted business development strategies, networking, referrals, and industry engagement.
• Commercial Negotiation: Negotiate fees, retained agreements, terms of business, and recruitment contracts while maintaining strong profitability.
• Brand Representation: Represent NES Fircroft at industry conferences, networking events, and client meetings across Europe.
• Warm Desk or Build Your Own Market: Opportunity to inherit established client relationships or develop your own specialist vertical within the Energy sector.
• Retained Search Environment: Work on high-value retained assignments with some of the world's leading Energy, Infrastructure, and Technology organisations.
• Global Brand & Reach: Leverage NES Fircroft's international network, established reputation, and extensive client portfolio.
• Market-Leading Commission Structure: Highly competitive salary with uncapped earning potential that rewards success.
• Entrepreneurial Freedom: Operate with autonomy while benefiting from the support and resources of a global organisation.
• International Exposure: Work with clients and candidates across multiple European markets and international regions.
• Structured Career Development: Clear progression opportunities into leadership, management, and executive-level roles.
• Industry-Leading Training: Access to ongoing recruitment, sales, leadership, and market-specialist development programmes.
• Recognition & Incentives: Global incentive trips, awards programmes, and performance recognition initiatives.
• Collaborative Culture: Join a high-performing team that values support, knowledge-sharing, and long-term success.

What We're Looking For

• Retained Search Experience: Minimum 12 months' experience successfully delivering retained recruitment assignments.
• Recruitment Expertise: Proven track record within permanent recruitment, executive search, or specialist professional staffing.
• STEM Market Background: Experience recruiting within Energy, Infrastructure, Engineering, IT/Technology, Manufacturing, Power, Utilities, Renewables, Industrial, Construction, or related technical sectors.
• Business Development Capability: Demonstrated success securing new clients and generating sustainable revenue growth.
• Relationship Builder: Ability to establish credibility and influence stakeholders at all levels, from hiring managers through to C-suite executives.
• Commercial Awareness: Strong understanding of retained recruitment models, fee negotiations, pricing strategies, and profitability management.
• Market Knowledge: Understanding of European Energy markets and technical recruitment landscapes would be highly advantageous.
• Consultative Approach: Ability to advise clients strategically on talent acquisition, workforce planning, and market trends.
• Results-Driven Mindset: Track record of achieving and exceeding recruitment, revenue, and business development targets.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Ambitious, self-motivated, resilient, and excited by the opportunity to grow a specialist market.

We're particularly interested in recruiters with experience within:

• Energy
• Renewables
• Power & Utilities
• Infrastructure
• IT & Technology
• Manufacturing
• Construction
• Transportation

Life Sciences recruitment backgrounds are not the primary focus for this opportunity.

NES Fircroft is a global workforce solutions business delivering specialist recruitment and staffing services across Energy, Power, Renewables, Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Chemicals, and Technology sectors. With over 50 years of industry expertise and a truly global office network, we connect exceptional talent with market-leading organisations around the world.

Our culture combines entrepreneurial spirit, collaboration, innovation, and high performance, creating an environment where ambitious recruitment professionals can thrive and accelerate their careers.

NES Fircroft – Powering People. Delivering Projects.

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