In today’s rapidly evolving energy sector, staying ahead requires technological innovation as well as the ability to attract and retain top talent. This was the challenge faced by the U.S. subsidiary of Japan’s largest power company—a leader in innovating and implementing low-carbon solutions to generate clean, renewable energy. With corporate offices in Houston and San Francisco, as well as power plants across the northeastern United States, the company needed a more robust talent acquisition infrastructure to support its growing U.S. operations. That’s where Broadleaf Results stepped in to provide an enterprise Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) solution that transformed the client’s hiring strategy. 

Related: Infographic: Three Types of RPO 

The Situation: A Pressing Need for More Efficient, Effective Talent Acquisition 

The client’s existing talent acquisition processes were not well equipped to handle growing demand for U.S.-based employees. While their Tokyo-based parent company had developed a strong employer brand and recruitment infrastructure, their U.S. subsidiary had not built out the same capabilities. 

This gap left the client reliant on costly headhunters, with no cohesive Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to streamline candidate management or measure recruitment activities. With numerous open positions and more on the horizon, the client needed a quick and comprehensive solution to enhance their hiring efforts. 

The Challenge: Building a U.S.-Specific Recruitment Strategy 

At the outset of their partnership, Broadleaf and the client faced a variety of challenges: 

1. Brand Disparity: The client’s strong employer brand in Tokyo did not extend to their U.S. operations, making it more difficult to attract qualified candidates. 
2. Lack of Technology: Without a cohesive ATS, the client struggled to efficiently manage candidates and track recruitment metrics. 
3. Resource Constraints: Limited internal HR and talent acquisition resources made it difficult for the client to manage the hiring process in-house. 
4. Urgent Need: With multiple open positions and many more on the way, the client wanted Broadleaf to act quickly. 

The Solution: A Tailored, End-to-End RPO Program 

Broadleaf partnered with the client to develop an end-to-end enterprise RPO solution that was implemented in just three weeks. To ensure a seamless integration with the client’s internal HR team, Broadleaf quickly immersed itself in the client’s organizational culture, gaining insights into the specific talent needs and ideal candidate profiles. 

Key Steps in the Solution: 

• Intake Calls: Broadleaf held detailed intake calls with the client’s stakeholders to understand the hard and soft skills required for each position, ensuring that the recruitment efforts were closely aligned with the client’s needs. 
• Creation of a U.S.-Specific Careers Website: Recognizing the need for a more U.S.-focused online presence, Broadleaf’s internal marketing team developed a new careers website tailored for U.S.-based job seekers. 
• New Applicant Tracking System (ATS): To eliminate previous pain points and enhance the candidate experience, Broadleaf set up a new ATS for the client. This system streamlined the hiring process, allowing for better candidate management and more accurate measurement of recruitment activities. 

The Results: A Strong Partnership and Impressive Outcomes 

Since the partnership began in March 2023, Broadleaf has successfully filled a variety of roles in finance, administration, information technology, mergers and acquisitions, engineering, accounting, operations, and maintenance.  

Broadleaf’s approach, which included outreach to both passive and active job seekers, allowed for the quick delivery of qualified candidates. By providing thorough recommendations that highlighted candidates’ strengths, backgrounds, and pay expectations, Broadleaf preempted questions from hiring managers, further streamlining the hiring process. 

A Continuing Success Story 

Broadleaf Results continues to maintain the client’s U.S. careers website and remains a key partner in their talent acquisition strategy. The RPO program has not only met the client’s immediate needs but also laid a strong foundation for future growth. 

In the competitive energy sector, where innovation is key, Broadleaf’s partnership with the client has proven to be a game-changer, enabling them to attract the talent necessary to drive their mission forward. 

Download a copy of Broadleaf’s case study here, and learn more about our Recruitment Process Outsourcing services by contacting us today.