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| Climate change calls for new exec skills | | Companies staff up for carbon regs
 CALGARY — Following the Copenhagen climate summit, the search is accelerating for executives who can lead on emissions trading, carbon storage and government relations.
Despite it’s limitations, the Copenhagen summit is another step toward carbon dioxide limits on all industries, said Scott Doupe of Conroy Ross Partners. Conroy Ross is a leading Western Canadian executive search firm with global capacities through IIC Partners, Executive Search Worldwide.
"We've conducted several searches for executives and managers in the environmental space as companies prepare to meet the new regulations they expect will flow from national and international agreements to limit carbon emissions," Doupe said.
"We see two types of positions being developed; C-level executives with environmental qualifications who can manage the complex issues of relations with all levels of governments, as well as across industry; and senior managers with deep environmental backgrounds who can oversee the implementation and compliance of the necessary practices and technologies."
He said the companies who want a C-level executive, often a direct report to the CEO, typically want a person with established personal credibility, negotiating skills and the ability to balance diverse interests in order to propose solutions to governments.
“This is an externally focused role that calls for oratorical skills and a personal gravitas that commands respect in any situation,” he said. “That’s a big part of what we screen for when a company retains us to find a chief environmental officer or similar position,” he said. Companies often specify experience in government relations or negotiations.
At the next level down, he said, companies need senior managers with deep technical expertise in environmental compliance and knowledge of evolving legislation in the area of climate change and emissions management.
“These tend to be the internally focused roles, where the emphasis is on the ability to translate public policy and legislation into programs that meet new standards of compliance — and anticipate future standards.”
Doupe said both roles can be expected to see greater demand worldwide as Copenhagen and follow-up agreements ripple back to individual nations.
“We expect we’ll see similar positions being filled by our partners around the world in coming months,” Doupe said. Conroy Ross Partners is a member of IIC Partners Executive Search Worldwide, whose member firms have offices in 47 cities and 33 countries around the world.
For further information:
Scott Doupe
Partner
Conroy Ross Partners
403-261-8080 ex. 317
sdoupe@conroyross.com
Brian Burton
Communications Director
IIC Partners
403-266-5501
403-617-1949
bburton@iicpartners.com
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