Senior Planning Director Role
About the Position:
The company is seeking an experienced and results-driven Senior Planning Director to lead our planning and consenting function. As a key member of the senior leadership team, you will be responsible for driving the development and implementation of our planning strategy across a portfolio of renewable energy projects.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Strategic Leadership
* Develop and drive the company's planning strategy to enable delivery of its development and investment pipeline.
* Serve as the primary senior leader on planning, consenting, and environmental matters, including engagement with the Executive Team, Investment Committee, and Board.
* Provide authoritative planning advice to senior management and ensure alignment of planning activities with company goals and regulatory developments.
* Shape internal governance processes for site selection, project progression, and investment approval based on planning risk.
* Actively engage with regulators, policy makers, and industry bodies to help shape the future planning environment for renewables (e.g. An Bord Pleanala, MARA, DECC).
* Represent the company externally at industry forums, public inquiries, and regulatory hearings.
2. Planning & Consenting Delivery
* Oversight the delivery of planning applications and consents across a portfolio of renewable energy projects at varying stages of development.
* Take full ownership of the consenting strategy and timeline for each project, ensuring alignment with commercial and investment milestones.
* Monitor and mitigate planning risks throughout the development lifecycle; escalate and resolve complex issues with support from legal and executive teams.
3. Programme & Project Management
* Lead the planning and delivery of multiple concurrent projects with varying complexity, timelines, and risk profiles.
* Significant expertise delivering multi-million euro infrastructure projects in particular design for planning, environmental assessment, consenting processes and associated legislation and policy in these areas is essential for this role;
* Oversight procurement processes and manage contracts related to planning and environmental services.
4. Stakeholder & Regulatory Engagement
* Act as a senior company representative in external stakeholder consultations and public engagement initiatives.
* Lead proactive engagement with Joint Venture partners, as required to oversee contractual commitments, including Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
* Build and maintain strong relationships with statutory authorities (e.g. An Bord Pleanala, MARA, Local Authorities).
* Interface with government departments, community stakeholders, and industry bodies to influence planning policy.
* Manage consultation processes with communities, NGOs, and special interest groups.
* Represent the company in national industry forums, focus groups, and working committees
5. Leadership & Team Development
* Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing team of planning and environmental professionals.
* Drive a culture of accountability, knowledge sharing, and professional excellence.
* Manage external advisor frameworks and commercial relationships with consultants, lawyers, and technical experts.