Squadron Energy is Australia’s leading renewable energy company, developing, operating and owning a significant portfolio of renewable assets. In 2022, the company acquired CWP Renewables, gaining one of the country’s largest pipelines of wind, solar and battery projects.
To deliver on this ambitious project pipeline and accelerate Australia’s transition to clean energy, Squadron Energy required exceptional technical and operational talent.
Through its deep sector expertise, extensive networks, and consultative approach, JD Ross Energy has played a pivotal role in Squadron Energy’s transformation into one of Australia’s largest renewable energy employers.
By building the teams needed to deliver one of the country’s most significant clean energy pipelines, JD Ross Energy has supported Squadron’s mission to accelerate Australia’s transition to reliable, sustainable, green power.
The Challenge
Following the acquisition of CWP Renewables, Squadron Energy faced the urgent need to scale its workforce. They needed highly skilled professionals with niche expertise to support project delivery—ranging from development to construction, operations, and stakeholder engagement.
Competing in a tight talent market, Squadron Energy had to differentiate itself against other leading renewable energy employers. Having partnered with CWP Renewables previously, JD Ross Energy brought an in-depth understanding of both the projects and the talent landscape, making us the ideal partner to meet this challenge.
Our Solutions
JD Ross Energy took a hands-on, consultative approach to understand Squadron Energy’s needs:
- Onsite Immersion – Visiting Squadron Energy sites to understand their projects, culture, and business priorities.
- Market Intelligence – Conducting extensive competitor analysis and salary benchmarking to build a compelling Employee Value Proposition (EVP).
- Targeted Campaigns – Leveraging our extensive database, networks, and reputation to deliver bespoke hiring strategies.
- Partnership with HR – Working closely with Squadron’s HR team to refine recruitment processes, compensation frameworks, and retention strategies.
This combination of strategic advisory and proactive talent acquisition positioned Squadron Energy as an employer of choice within the renewable sector.
Outcomes and Benefits
The partnership between JD Ross Energy and Squadron Energy has delivered significant results with 50+ Strategic Placements – Permanent and contract roles across critical functions, including:
- Project Manager (Construction)
- Risk Manager
- Stakeholder Engagement Manager
- Legal Counsel
- Development Manager
- Project Director
- Procurement Lead
- Grid Manager
- Sustainability Manager
- Environmental Manager
Additional examples of our impact include:
- Headcount Growth – Supporting Squadron Energy’s rapid expansion from 75 employees to over 330.
- Stronger EVP – Delivering a clear and competitive Employee Value Proposition supported by data-led salary benchmarking and competitor insights.
- Improved Retention – Helping Squadron Energy not just attract, but also retain top talent by ensuring alignment between market expectations and internal offerings.
"For the past six years, we've had the privilege of partnering with Ethan and JD Ross Energy in what has been a critical period of growth and transformation for Squadron Energy. Their deep expertise in Renewable Energy recruitment, combined with a genuine understanding of our organisational culture and business objectives, has made them an invaluable extension of our People & Culture team.
Ethan has consistently delivered on some of our most complex recruitment campaigns, often in rural and remote parts of Australia where talent attraction can be particularly challenging. Their strategic approach to salary benchmarking and competitor/market analysis has helped shape our workforce planning and remuneration strategies, ensuring we remain competitive and aligned with industry trends.
What truly sets them apart is their integrity, responsiveness, and unwavering commitment to finding not just the right skillsets, but the right people who align with our values. Whether it’s executive search, niche technical roles, or broader workforce insights, Ethan brings a level of professionalism and insight that is rare in the industry.
We see them as a trusted advisor and look forward to continuing this highly successful partnership into the future."
- EGM People & Culture, Squadron Energy