Head of Planning & Development

Desired Skills: Project Management,Planning,Environmental Impact Assessment

Overview:

A leading organization in the renewable energy sector is seeking a Head of Planning & Development to lead the planning strategy and consenting activities for its diverse energy portfolio. This includes onshore and offshore wind, solar PV, battery storage, and green hydrogen infrastructure. This is a key leadership role overseeing a multidisciplinary team, with responsibility for guiding projects through development-stage planning, environmental assessment, stakeholder engagement, and statutory consenting across multiple jurisdictions.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy & Leadership

• Define and implement the organization’s planning and consenting strategy in support of its development and investment pipeline.
• Act as the senior leader on all planning, consenting, and environmental matters, reporting to executive leadership and board-level stakeholders.
• Provide strategic advice on planning issues and regulatory developments.
• Develop internal governance processes related to project planning, risk, and investment approvals.
• Engage with regulatory bodies, policy makers, and industry forums to help shape the planning environment for renewable projects.
• Establish and manage project development and investment decision frameworks.
• Identify and mitigate critical path risks throughout the planning lifecycle.

Planning & Consenting Delivery

• Lead the delivery of planning applications and statutory consents across a portfolio of energy projects.
• Own and manage consenting strategies and timelines, ensuring they align with commercial milestones.
• Monitor planning-related risks and work collaboratively with internal and external advisors to resolve issues.

Programme & Project Management

• Oversee multiple concurrent development projects with varying complexity, scale, and risk.
• Apply expertise in infrastructure project delivery, particularly in areas such as environmental assessment, design for planning, and relevant legislative frameworks.
• Manage procurement and contracts for planning and environmental services.

Stakeholder & Regulatory Engagement

• Represent the organization in external consultations and public engagements.
• Lead interactions with joint venture partners and manage contractual agreements (e.g., SLAs).
• Build and maintain relationships with statutory authorities, government departments, communities, and NGOs.
• Participate in industry working groups, forums, and regulatory discussions to influence policy and planning direction.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and mentor a high-performing planning and environmental team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and professional development.
• Manage relationships with external advisors, including legal, environmental, and technical consultants.

General Responsibilities

• Promote a strong health, safety, and welfare culture across all operations.
• Actively participate in the organization’s performance management process to ensure personal and team success.

Candidate Profile:

Education:

• Honours degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, Planning, or a related discipline.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in renewable energy project development.
• Extensive background in planning and consenting, environmental impact assessment (EIA), and infrastructure delivery.
• Demonstrated experience in managing large-scale planning applications and navigating complex stakeholder environments.
• Strong track record working within the Irish renewable energy sector.

Technical Knowledge:

• In-depth knowledge of Irish and EU planning legislation, environmental regulations, and licensing processes.
• Familiarity with renewable technologies (wind, solar, battery storage, hydrogen), energy markets, and grid infrastructure.
• Competent in preparing and reviewing Environmental Impact Assessment Reports (EIAR) and related planning documentation.

Project Management:

• Proven ability to oversee multiple development projects simultaneously, each with distinct priorities and risks.
• Strong skills in programme management, strategic execution, and delivery-focused leadership.

Leadership & Communication:

• Demonstrated leadership in managing cross-functional teams and engaging with senior stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• Experience navigating politically sensitive and rapidly evolving environments.

Personal Attributes:

• Solutions-oriented and proactive with a strategic mindset.
• Highly organized, self-driven, and quality-focused.
• Additional qualifications (e.g., IPI, RTPI, IEMA) are an advantage but not essential.