Supporting the growth of offshore transmission infrastructure through targeted search across HVDC, cable and project leadership disciplines.
Key Stats
- 5+ European markets mapped
- French-speaking offshore specialists identified across Europe
- Senior passive talent engaged through targeted search
- Passive talent focus
- Strategic offshore growth programme
Introduction
As offshore transmission projects continue to expand across Europe, access to specialist talent has become a critical factor in delivering infrastructure at scale.
A leading European Transmission System Operator (TSO) engaged Turner Lovell to support the growth of its offshore capability, requiring experienced professionals across transmission, HVDC, cable systems and project leadership disciplines.
The challenge was not simply finding qualified candidates. Many of the most relevant professionals were already embedded within major offshore projects across Europe, making them difficult to identify, engage and attract through traditional recruitment methods.
Background & Objectives
The client plays a critical role in the development and operation of national electricity transmission infrastructure and was entering a significant period of offshore network expansion.
To support future projects, the organisation needed to strengthen its internal capability across several highly specialised disciplines, including offshore transmission, grid connection, HVDC systems, cable engineering and project delivery.
The objective was to identify and engage experienced French-speaking professionals from across Europe who could bring valuable offshore expertise while supporting the organisation’s long-term growth ambitions.
Roles supported included:
- Project Directors and Project Managers
- Cable Experts and Package Managers
- Lead Electrical Engineers
- HVDC Specialists
- Grid Development Professionals
The Challenges
Several market factors made this search particularly complex.
Many of the most qualified offshore transmission professionals had developed their careers outside the client’s home market, working on major offshore wind, interconnector and transmission projects across Europe.
The majority were also senior, passive candidates already employed by transmission operators, developers, OEMs, EPC contractors and specialist consultancies. They were not actively applying for roles and required a highly targeted and credible approach.
Alongside technical expertise, candidates needed the language capability, motivation and flexibility to relocate or return to the client’s home market, significantly reducing an already limited talent pool.
Competition for this talent was intense, with organisations across the offshore energy sector pursuing many of the same individuals.
Strategy & Execution
Turner Lovell approached the assignment as a strategic direct search programme rather than a conventional recruitment campaign.
The project began with extensive market mapping across the European offshore transmission ecosystem, identifying specialist talent working within transmission operators, offshore developers, EPC contractors, HVDC manufacturers, cable suppliers and engineering consultancies.
Searches focused on French-speaking professionals, nationals working internationally and candidates with experience across offshore transmission, grid connection, HVDC and cable infrastructure projects. Turner Lovell also advised on candidate expectations, salary positioning and the wider offshore talent landscape, helping the client build a stronger proposition for experienced professionals considering a move. By combining market intelligence with direct search, the team helped shape an approach that reflected both the realities of the market and the organisation’s ambitions.
Through proactive headhunting, referral networks and targeted candidate engagement, Turner Lovell successfully connected with senior professionals who were largely inaccessible through traditional recruitment channels.
Each shortlisted candidate was assessed for both technical capability and long-term alignment with the organisation’s strategic objectives, enabling hiring managers to make informed decisions quickly and efficiently.
Results
Turner Lovell successfully supported the client’s offshore growth programme by providing access to a highly specialised and difficult-to-reach talent pool.
The engagement enabled the organisation to connect with experienced professionals across offshore transmission, HVDC, cable engineering and project leadership disciplines, strengthening capability in support of critical infrastructure projects.
Beyond individual hires, the engagement gave the client a clearer understanding of the European offshore talent market, including salary expectations, candidate motivations and where specialist expertise was concentrated. These insights helped inform future hiring decisions as the organisation continued to expand its offshore capability.
The assignment also demonstrated Turner Lovell’s ability to operate effectively within one of the most competitive talent markets in the energy sector, combining deep market knowledge with a highly targeted search methodology.