For the first decade of my executive search career, relocation was expected. Remote work was rare—outside of project development, it just wasn’t part of the conversation. Today, that conversation has completely flipped: it is now uncommon to relocate, no matter the position.
Several of the searches we’ve completed this year required relocation. However, not one client followed through on their relocation plan. Every client chose the top talent for the role—regardless of location.
If hiring the best person is your top priority, it remains unwise to eliminate candidates based solely on location. The demand for professionals with experience in developing and building novel infrastructure grows every year—and that was before AI and data centers began driving exponential load growth. Today, multiple sectors are competing for the same technical talent. For example, where power producers once led the demand for transmission experts, data center and long-haul transmission developers are now aggressively recruiting from the same pool.
When companies implement a return-to-work policy, they already know they’ll lose a percentage of their staff in a short period of time. In fact, some companies quietly welcome it—it’s a subtle form of headcount reduction that avoids the noise of formal layoffs. But for businesses with real growth ambitions, like digital infrastructure, transmission, and power generation, relocation is a constraint.
It is easy to understand why companies want everyone in the office. It builds stronger relationships, encourages productive discussions, and helps ideas flourish. However, as any HR professional knows, building a harmonious office environment no easy task, especially as generational expectations shift. Dress codes, flextime, interpersonal conflict, commuting—and here in Chicago, ice and snow—are all part of the challenge.
No matter the compensation package delivered, offer letters which require relocation will lose to those offers without relocation. This is especially true for parents, or roles which require heavy travel. The relocation battle isn’t going away. But make no mistake: the companies that thrive will be those that adapt.
Joe Amara Executive Search represents companies in power generation, transmission, and digital infrastructure, with a focus on C-suite, leadership, and critical hires To learn more about us, please visit joeamara.com