Client Overview
Case Study: Executive Search – Head of ETRM Applications
Client Profile
The client is a global trading organization with a diversified commodities portfolio spanning power, natural gas, and environmental products, including carbon. Operating across multiple regions, the organization relies heavily on its Energy Trading and Risk Management (ETRM) platform to support front-office trading, mid-office risk, and downstream operational and reporting functions.
Business Challenge
The client engaged The Vessel Group to identify and place a Head of ETRM Applications—a highly specialized leadership role critical to the firm’s trading and risk operations. The search presented several challenges that traditional recruiting firms often struggle to address:
• Deep, first-hand industry experience within a trading organization
• Direct front-office and/or mid-office exposure
• Demonstrated expertise across power, natural gas, and carbon markets
• 3–5 years of prior consulting experience, with the ability to bridge business and technology stakeholders
• Proven leadership capability to oversee ETRM strategy, support, and continuous improvement
The combination of trading-domain depth and consulting acumen significantly narrowed the viable candidate pool.
The Vessel Group Approach
Rather than approaching the engagement as a traditional resume-driven search, The Vessel Group leveraged its deep network within the energy trading and consulting ecosystem. Our team applied a targeted search strategy focused on professionals who had:
• Operated inside trading organizations in front- or mid-office roles
• Led or supported ETRM implementations and upgrades
• Transitioned into consulting roles supporting complex trading clients
• Maintained hands-on knowledge of market operations, risk workflows, and system architecture
Each candidate was assessed not only on technical qualifications, but also on their ability to communicate effectively with traders, risk managers, IT teams, and executive leadership.
Outcome
The Vessel Group successfully identified and placed a candidate who met all of the client’s requirements. The selected individual brought a rare combination of trading-domain expertise, multi-commodity knowledge, and consulting experience, enabling them to quickly establish credibility with both business and technology stakeholders.
The client was able to fill a critical leadership role with confidence, positioning their ETRM function for improved stability, scalability, and long-term strategic alignment.
Why This Matters
This engagement highlights The Vessel Group’s ability to execute highly specialized executive searches in the energy trading space—particularly roles that sit at the intersection of business, risk, and technology. Our industry-first approach allows us to deliver results where traditional recruiting models often fall short.