Finding a Project Director for a Large-Scale Solar Project in Romania
Project Overview
A leading renewable energy company was searching for a Project Director to oversee the delivery of a large-scale 220 MW solar project from development through commissioning and into operations & maintenance (O&M). The role required deep expertise in project management, stakeholder coordination, and technical compliance, ensuring the project was delivered on time, within budget, and at the highest quality and safety standards.
The main challenge? The renewable energy sector in Romania has grown rapidly in recent years, but there is still a limited talent pool of professionals with experience in projects over 200MW. Additionally, intense competition from international renewable energy companies made attracting top talent even more difficult.
The Challenge
Finding the right fit was difficult for several reasons:
- Limited Local Expertise – Large-scale solar projects (200MW+) are relatively new in Romania, making it hard to find candidates with direct experience in such complex projects.
- High Demand for Specialists – With many companies entering the market, competition for experienced professionals was intense, and many qualified candidates were already engaged in ongoing projects.
- International Talent Reluctance – Professionals with relevant expertise often worked internationally and were used to short-term, project-based contracts in multiple locations rather than committing to a long-term role in Romania.
- Technical and Leadership Requirements – The ideal candidate needed a strong technical background, experience in EPC contractor management, and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments while ensuring regulatory and safety compliance.
Our Approach
1. Understanding the Needs
We collaborated closely with the client to define the ideal candidate profile, emphasizing: Experience in utility-scale solar projects (>200MW)
Project management & leadership capabilities – ensuring the candidate could oversee complex projects and manage multiple stakeholders
Strong technical and contractual expertise – including EPC contractor management, AutoCAD, PVsyst, and MS Project skills
Willingness to be on-site – candidates had to be available to spend at least 4-5 days per week at the project site
2. Expanding the Talent Pool
Given the limited availability of local experts, we took a global headhunting approach, targeting:
✔️ Candidates with international experience who had worked on large-scale projects in Europe and might be open to relocating to Romania.
✔️ Experienced project-based professionals in the renewable sector, leveraging our network to connect with specialists who were completing projects elsewhere.
✔️ Referrals from industry professionals, tapping into the consultant’s network for trusted recommendations.
3. Candidate Selection & Evaluation
In two weeks, we engaged with 12 high-potential candidates through executive search and industry referrals. After an in-depth evaluation process, we shortlisted two strong candidates:
- Candidate 1: A Project Director with extensive solar experience across Europe but hesitant about a long-term move back to Romania.
- Candidate 2: A Senior Project Manager with direct experience in large-scale PV projects, strong EPC contract management skills, and an excellent track record in delivering projects on time and within budget.
Using competency-based interviews, we assessed leadership style, problem-solving abilities, and real-life case studies on how they had handled previous project delays, budget overruns, and contractor negotiations.
Outcome
In just four weeks, we:
The company ultimately hired Candidate 2, a Senior Project Manager with the right mix of technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and on-site availability. Although they had not held the exact title of Project Director before, their proven ability to manage large-scale solar projects and EPC contractors made them the ideal choice.
Success Factors
Successfully closed the role within four weeks despite a limited talent pool
Leveraged industry referrals, which led to a high-quality hire
Secured an experienced professional with the right leadership and technical capabilities
Helped the client remain competitive in the growing renewable energy market
This case highlights how strategic headhunting and networking can be the key to finding top talent in high-demand, niche industries. Sometimes, the best candidate isn’t the one with the exact job title but the one with the right skills and mindset to step UP.
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