Principal / Managing Consultant – Europe Energy Permanent Recruitment

Posted: 21/07/2026

Competitive Salary

Manchester, United Kingdom

Permanent

Principal / Managing Consultant – Europe Energy Permanent Recruitment

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. Were 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 Youll 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: 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.

Why NES Fircroft

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 worlds leading Energy, Infrastructure, and Technology organisations.

Global Brand & Reach: Leverage NES Fircrofts 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 Were 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.

Ideal Sector Backgrounds

Were particularly interested in recruiters with experience within:

Energy

Renewables

Power & Utilities

Infrastructure

Engineering

IT & Technology

Industrial Automation

Manufacturing

Construction

Data Centres

Transportation

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

About NES Fircroft

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.

Jamie Harris Talent Acquisition Manager - UK and Europe