The Birmingham Group is an oil and gas executive recruiting firm. We have placed construction and project leadership for energy contractors since 1967, and we deliver a verified shortlist of 3 to 5 candidates in 7 to 10 days.
Energy work punishes a slow hire harder than commercial building does. A turnaround window is fixed months in advance. A right of way expires. An LNG commissioning date carries contract penalties that dwarf any search fee. The seat has to be filled before the schedule moves, not after.
What an oil and gas executive search covers
An energy executive search is direct outreach, not a job posting. The people who run turnarounds, commission compressor stations, and hold process safety records are employed and busy. They are not applying anywhere.
We identify them, approach them confidentially, screen them against your scope, and manage the offer to acceptance. The same construction executive search process applies across every sector we cover, with the screening criteria set to the work.
How energy executive search differs from commercial construction hiring
- Process safety history matters more than project size. A candidate who has run $200M of commercial work has not necessarily worked inside a live process unit.
- Permit and regulatory exposure. Midstream and refinery leaders carry regulatory relationships that a general contractor background does not build.
- Turnaround scheduling is unforgiving. Shutdown windows are set with the plant, not the contractor.
- Rotational and remote assignments. Per diem, rotation, and travel terms decide acceptances in this sector more than base salary does.
Roles we place for energy and oil and gas contractors
Houston, the Permian, and the Gulf Coast
Most energy leadership searches concentrate in Houston and along the Gulf Coast, with Permian Basin work pulling project controls and field leadership to Midland and Odessa. We have run searches in both. Contractors comparing pay bands can start with the Houston construction leadership market before setting an offer.
Midstream, LNG, refinery, and power
Our energy searches cover midstream gathering and transmission, LNG trains and export terminals, refinery capital projects and turnarounds, gas distribution, and power generation. Solar and battery storage work increasingly draws from the same leadership pool, which is why we screen for the specific asset type rather than the label on the resume.
Proof, Not Promises
Oil and gas construction hires carry safety, compliance, and margin risk most recruiters never see. Our track record:
Placements We Have Made
- Chief Financial Officer · Minnesota / North Dakota · trenchless contractor serving Oil & Gas
- Cost Analyst / Project Controls · Midland, TX · 2019
Recent Searches in This Sector
Want references? Ask. We will connect you directly with clients who have hired through us in your sector.
In the news. TBG President and CEO Brian Binke spoke with Rigzone on March 12, 2026, about the U.S. oil and gas hiring market, which he said “remains disciplined, not aggressive.” Read Brian’s take on U.S. oil and gas hiring.
Why energy contractors bring us in
- Construction leadership is the only thing we recruit, and it has been since 1967.
- We know what moves an employed candidate, and what makes one decline at the last minute.
- We pre-close before the offer goes out, so acceptance is not a surprise to anyone.
- Search options run from retained to contingency, and you can compare the three fee models before committing.
Oil and gas executive search FAQs
How do you hire an oil and gas project manager?
Through direct, confidential outreach to project managers who are already employed. We screen for process safety history and the specific asset type, such as midstream, LNG, refinery, or power, not just project size. Then we manage the offer through acceptance, including per diem and rotation terms, which often decide the move in this sector.
How long does an oil and gas executive search take?
We deliver a verified shortlist of 3 to 5 candidates in 7 to 10 days. Time to a signed offer depends on the role, the location, and how fast your team can interview.
What does an oil and gas executive search cost?
Construction recruiters charge a percentage of the hire’s first-year compensation, counting base salary plus realistic bonus. We offer three engagement models, from retained to contingency. The difference is when you pay and how much of the search team’s capacity your seat gets.
Where do you recruit oil and gas construction leaders?
Nationwide. Most energy leadership demand concentrates in Houston and along the Gulf Coast, and Permian Basin work pulls project controls and field leaders to Midland and Odessa.
Start an oil and gas search
Tell us the role, the asset, and the date you need someone on site. The first conversation is about scope and market rate, not resumes. You can also call 248.647.7766.
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Hiring oil and gas construction leaders?
The Birmingham Group has placed senior construction leaders for GCs, CMs, and specialty contractors since 1967. Tell us the role and market.