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Energy efficiency · all of France

Energy efficiency recruitment performance directors

Performance directors, group energy managers, energy savings certificate managers: approached in post, under exclusive mandate.

The six fields

  • 500+

    profiles in our qualified talent pool

  • 18 000

    professionals in our network

  • 10days

    for the shortlist

  • 3weeks

    to hire, direct search

They entrust us with their leadership rolesAlphaCEEIDEXNidec 5,0/5 · 112 Google reviews

Volta Executive · Energy efficiencyISO 50001 · ESCs · BEMS · HVAC · EPCs

01 · The essentials

In 30 seconds

The cheapest energyis the one you do not consume

What we recruit

The energy performance directors and group energy managers, energy savings certificate and energy performance contract managers, then HVAC project managers, HVAC engineers, OPQIBI auditors and BEMS experts.

Who it is for

Industrial groups subject to the energy audit, energy savings certificate obligated parties' delegates, energy service companies, thermal design offices, operators of commercial and hospital estates, local authorities.

How

Direct search, structured interview led by an engineer on ISO 50001, BEMS, energy savings certificates, HVAC and heat pumps. The candidate cannot embellish their experience : we speak their language.

The proof

AlphaCEE: a senior energy savings certificate engineer hired in Lyon. And a 96% success rate at 6 months (120 assignments analysed between 2023 and 2025, Volta Executive and previous firms).

Energy manager carrying out a thermographic audit on a motor and a compressor
Energy audit · thermography

What we recruit

  • Energy performance director
  • Group energy manager
  • Energy savings certificates manager
  • Performance contracts manager
  • HVAC project management
  • HVAC engineer
  • OPQIBI energy auditor
  • BEMS engineer

02 · The problem

Why these roles stay empty

Every month without an energy managershows up on the bill

Regulatory audit, tertiary sector decree, ISO 50001, energy savings certificate obligations: the calendar is set by regulation, not by your hiring.

  1. Profiles in post, never looking

    Energy managers and HVAC project managers are tied up in multi-year programmes. They do not read job adverts.

  2. Six to nine months when you search alone

    The delay observed on these scarce profiles without direct search. At Volta Executive: shortlist within 10 days, hire within 3 weeks.

  3. Skills that rarely overlap

    Thermal engineering and IT for BEMS, technical and finance for energy performance contracts, regulation and client relations for energy savings certificates.

< 40

profiles in France able to hold a position assenior energy savings certificate engineer

Source: AlphaCEE assignment

Work out the cost of your empty position

03 · The practical case

Practical case · AlphaCEE

A senior energy savings certificate engineerfrom a pool of fewer than 40 profiles

AlphaCEE supports industrial companies with their energy savings certificates: 520 projects, €70m in premiums paid out. It needed an engineer able to build the operations and to sell them.

Energy efficiency engineer and site manager in front of a technical room
AlphaCEE · Lyon
Illustration520client projects

Energy efficiency · Energy savings certificates

AlphaCEE · Lyon

The senior engineer who builds industrial companies' energy savings certificate operations

The context
A growing energy savings certificate delegate, supporting industrial companies in setting up their energy-saving operations.
The challenge
Fewer than 40 profiles in France know how to combine energy savings certificate engineering, setting up standardised and specific operations, and business development.
What we did
Mapping of delegates, energy efficiency design offices and the energy departments of large groups, then direct approach to each one.
The result
Anthony Libbrecht, hired as senior energy efficiency engineer. Assignment concluded in 2 months.

  • < 40

    profiles in France

  • 2 months

    of assignment

  • 520

    client projects

  • €70m

    certificate premiums paid out by the client

Very satisfied with Florian's support as a recruiter. He helped us identify and hire a candidate efficiently, with rigour and professionalism.

Bruno Anacleto · chief administrative and financial officer, ENERSHIP and AlphaCEE

Read the full case study

04 · The field

Six areas of expertise

Cut consumptionbefore changing energy

Each field has its own profiles and talent pools. We know where the energy managers and HVAC project leads in post are to be found.

HVAC project management: heating, ventilation, air conditioning

Project management of HVAC systems in commercial, industrial and hospital buildings. Design, site supervision, handover. Profiles combining thermal engineering and project management.

RE2020 / RT2012Critical

05 · Pay

12 roles · 2026 benchmarks

Salary barometerenergy efficiency 2026

12 key roles, pay range and level of scarcity. Open a row to read the expected skills and typical assignments.

Energy Manager / Energy performance managerAudit, ISO 50001, consumption monitoring€55-95kCritical

Skills required

  • Regulatory energy audit and metering
  • ISO 50001 rollout and management
  • BEMS, building management system and sub-metering data analysis
  • Change management and support from general management

Typical assignments

  • Energy sobriety plan for a multi-site group
  • ISO 50001 rollout on one site
  • 15% consumption reduction in 2 years
HVAC project lead (MOE: design and works supervision)Design, site works, handover€48-78kCritical

Skills required

  • Design of HVAC systems for commercial, industrial and hospital buildings
  • Site supervision and acceptance of works
  • Command of RE2020, RT2012 and thermal regulations
  • Hydraulic and air-handling sizing

Typical assignments

  • Design of a hospital air-handling unit
  • HVAC renovation of a commercial building
  • RE2020 compliance work
HVAC engineer & thermal networksDistrict heating and cooling€45-72kVery high

Skills required

  • Sizing of district heating and cooling networks
  • Thermal balances and dynamic simulation
  • Integration of heat pumps and cogeneration
  • Optimisation of thermal production efficiency

Typical assignments

  • Extension of an urban district heating network
  • Overhaul of a substation
  • High-temperature heat pump coupling and waste heat recovery
Certified energy auditor (OPQIBI)Regulatory audit, costed action plan€42-65kHigh

Skills required

  • Regulatory energy audit under NF EN 16247-1
  • On-site diagnosis and analysis of bills
  • Costed and prioritised recommendations (payback, IRR)
  • OPQIBI certification 1973 and 2082

Typical assignments

  • Energy audit of an industrial site
  • Multi-building audit report
  • Monitoring of the action plan's execution
Industrial energy efficiency engineer (BEMS)Real-time monitoring, EPC€48-75kCritical

Skills required

  • Real-time energy monitoring (BEMS, building management system) and data analysis
  • Optimisation of consumption by use
  • Command of operating contracts and EPCs
  • Alerts and drift detection

Typical assignments

  • Rollout of a multi-site BEMS
  • Management of an energy performance contract
  • Hunting down waste in processes
Energy savings certificate manager (CEE)Standardised and specific operations€50-80kVery high

Skills required

  • Set-up of standardised and specific energy savings certificate operations
  • Command of operation sheets and of the three-year obligation period
  • Relations with energy savings certificate delegates, ADEME and obligated parties
  • Reporting and tracking of application files

Typical assignments

  • Filing of a specific energy savings certificate operation file
  • Structuring of a portfolio of operations
  • Supporting a client with its energy savings certificate obligations
Flexibility & demand response expertCapacity markets, flexible assets€55-85kCritical

Skills required

  • Management of demand response projects
  • Command of capacity markets (NEBEF) and RTE mechanisms
  • Optimisation of flexible assets (storage, heat pumps, batteries)
  • Data analysis and scenario modelling

Typical assignments

  • Setting up an industrial demand response strategy
  • Optimisation of a storage asset on the markets
  • Grid connection and RTE qualification
Energy performance project directorMulti-package, guaranteed EPC, financing€70-110kVery high

Skills required

  • Management of multi-package HVAC, electrical and BEMS works
  • Coordination of client, design team and contractors
  • Financial command (CAPEX, payback, guaranteed EPC)
  • Arranging financing (energy savings certificates, ADEME grants)

Typical assignments

  • Energy renovation of a property portfolio
  • Guaranteed EPC over 10 years
  • Performance plan for a hospital campus
HVAC operations managerCommercial and industry, maintenance€45-68kHigh

Skills required

  • Operation and maintenance of HVAC installations and utilities
  • Supervision of technical teams and subcontracting
  • Management of maintenance and BEMS contracts
  • CMMS and planning of interventions

Typical assignments

  • Takeover of the operation of a commercial estate
  • Optimisation of a maintenance contract
  • Refrigerant compliance work
Heat pump & industrial refrigeration engineerHigh-temperature heat pumps, F-Gas€44-70kCritical

Skills required

  • Sizing of high-temperature heat pumps and industrial chillers
  • Thermodynamic studies and network integration
  • Command of refrigerants (F-Gas regulation)
  • Site follow-up and commissioning

Typical assignments

  • Design of a high-temperature heat pump for a process
  • Overhaul of a refrigeration production plant
  • Waste heat recovery by heat pump
Energy sobriety plan managerMulti-site, change management€50-78kVery high

Skills required

  • Drawing up and rolling out a sobriety plan
  • Multi-site coordination and change management
  • Results reporting and tracking of indicators
  • Internal communication and team engagement

Typical assignments

  • Rollout of a company-wide sobriety plan
  • 10% consumption reduction in 1 year
  • CSR communication
Energy performance contract (EPC) consultantStructuring, performance guarantee€55-85kHigh

Skills required

  • Legal and financial structuring of guaranteed EPCs
  • Modelling of gains and performance risks
  • Negotiation and contractual follow-up over time
  • Audit of contractual performance

Typical assignments

  • Set-up of an EPC for a commercial estate
  • Compliance audit of an ongoing EPC
  • Optimisation of performance clauses

Source: Volta Executive Barometer 2026 · fixed annual gross, national basis, excluding variable pay and bonuses

Les métiers de l’énergie dans le Baromètre des salaires 2026

06 · The method

The Volta Executive method

Hire a performance directorwithin 3 weeks

A 1-hour scoping session and a scorecard, mapping of the search ecosystem, a shortlist within 10 days, a hire within 3 weeks. The 3 weeks run from scoping to the chosen candidate, offer accepted, when the five key success factors are in place. The candidate's notice period, often three months for a manager in post, then comes on top.

  1. Day 1

    A 1-hour scoping session and a scorecard

    One hour with the future manager, not just HR. We come out with the three results expected at twelve months, the real budget including variable pay, and a scorecard ranking each skill: essential, necessary, useful, bonus.

    Deliverable: Scorecard approved by the manager

  2. Days 1 to 3

    Map the search ecosystem

    The companies, sites and roles where the profile really exists: competitors, suppliers, customers, neighbouring sectors doing the same job under another name. We know how many people fit the scorecard before writing the first message.

    Deliverable: A quantified talent map

  3. Within 10 days

    A shortlist within 10 days

    Three to five candidates approached directly, met, assessed against the scorecard by an engineer, presented with their motivations and real salary expectations. Not a pile of CVs.

    Deliverable: 3 to 5 reasoned profiles

  4. Within 3 weeks

    A hire within 3 weeks by direct search

    Two interview rounds at most, with the direct manager. The package and the counter-offer are prepared before the final interview: the offer goes out within 24 hours and the chosen candidate says yes.

    Deliverable: Offer accepted, start date set

On these profilesThe mapping covers large industrial groups, thermal design offices, energy service companies and energy savings certificate delegates. No profile is presented without a prior technical interview.

  • Replacement guarantee of 3 to 6 months
  • Onboarding follow-up over 90 days
  • Confidentiality, NDA on request
  • Published fees: 25% of the annual gross package for one position, 23% per position from two similar positions entrusted together, one-third deposit, exclusive mandate

The recruitment process, step by step

07 · References

And also

Confidential mandatesin energy efficiency

Energy managers and HVAC project leads (MOE), hired through direct search.

  • Industrial group under audit obligation

    Energy manager

    • 9 wksLead time
    • SearchMethod
    • NDAMandate

    Identification and direct approach of an experienced energy manager for an industrial group subject to the energy audit obligation. Passive candidate.

    Energy managerISO 50001Confidential

  • Thermal design office · confidential

    Senior HVAC project lead (MOE)

    • 8 wksLead time
    • SearchOutreach
    • SeniorLevel

    Hire of an experienced HVAC project lead for a commercial design office: design of thermal systems, site supervision and knowledge of RE2020.

    HVAC project managementHVACCommercial

Who we work with

  • Industrial groups subject to the energy audit
  • Energy savings certificate delegates and energy engineering
  • Commercial and hospital estates
  • Energy service companies
  • HVAC and thermal design offices
  • Local authorities and delegates

Our full track record

08 · Questions

6 questions

Frequently asked questionson energy efficiency

How do you hire an Energy Manager in 2026?

Hiring an Energy Manager means identifying a profile that combines technical skills (energy audit, metering, ISO 50001) with the ability to persuade general management to invest in energy efficiency. These profiles are scarce and often not job-hunting: they are in post and do not read job adverts. Volta Executive identifies them in large groups, specialist design offices and energy service delegates. Shortlist within 10 days, hire within 3 weeks through direct search.

What is an HVAC project lead (MOE) and why is it so hard to hire one?

An HVAC project lead (MOE, maîtrise d'œuvre) designs, directs and takes over the HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) installations of commercial, industrial or hospital buildings. The role is scarce because the training combines thermal engineering, site management and knowledge of regulations (RE2020, RT2012). The best profiles are active in design offices or engineering companies and do not answer job adverts.

What do Energy Managers earn in France in 2026?

Volta Executive Barometer 2026: junior Energy Manager (3-5 years) €45-60k, experienced (5-10 years) €60-80k, senior (10+ years) €75-95k, Energy Director €90-130k. Salaries have risen by 35% since 2020 because of the structural shortage of these profiles.

How do you hire an energy savings certificate expert (CEE)?

The market for energy savings certificate experts is concentrated around certificate delegates, energy efficiency design offices and the purchase obligations of large groups. Profiles who master standardised operation sheets, the set-up of specific operations and relations with ADEME are scarce and in high demand. Volta Executive supported AlphaCEE in hiring a senior energy savings certificate engineer in Lyon.

How long does it take to hire an energy efficiency expert?

At Volta Executive, the shortlist arrives within 10 days and the hire is concluded within 3 weeks through direct search, provided there is a reply within 48 h and the mandate is entrusted exclusively. The candidate's notice period then comes on top. For very scarce profiles (senior Energy Manager, experienced HVAC project lead), the mapping of the search ecosystem is wider, and the timeline stays the same. Without a specialist firm, companies take 6-9 months on average for these profiles. Our network of 18,000 professionals and our qualified talent pool of 500+ profiles support this responsiveness.

What is the difference between BEMS, GTB and GTC?

The BEMS (Building Energy Management System) is a monitoring system focused on a building's energy performance: data analysis, alerts, consumption optimisation. The GTB (Gestion Technique de Bâtiment, building management system) supervises all technical equipment (HVAC, lighting, access, security). The GTC (Gestion Technique Centralisée, centralised technical management) is a multi-site GTB. Profiles who master these tools combine IT and thermal skills, and are increasingly sought after.

First confidential conversation

You are hiring a performance director,an energy manager or an energy savings certificate expert?

Let's talk about the scope, the site and the expected results. First confidential conversation, NDA on request, no commitment.

Our terms

Reply within 48 h · shortlist within 10 days · hire within 3 weeks

Our other areas of expertise

See also