Head of Planning & Development
Location - Dublin (Hybrid)
Ref - HPDRE
Ventus is working with a leading Irish Renewable Energy developer, to appoint a Head of Planning and Development to lead the end-to-end planning strategy and consenting activities for the company’s renewable energy portfolio, including onshore and offshore wind, solar PV, battery storage, and green hydrogen infrastructure.
This is a leadership role responsible for guiding a multidisciplinary team through development-stage planning, environmental assessment, stakeholder engagement, and statutory consenting processes across multiple jurisdictions.
Main Accountabilities:
Strategy & Leadership
Define and drive the company’s planning and consenting 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.
Establish and implement Project Development Processes, including the Group’s Stage Gate investment decision framework. Identify critical path risks and develop mitigation strategies across the planning lifecycle. Actively engage with regulators, policymakers, and industry bodies to help shape the future planning environment for renewables (e.g., An Bord Pleanála, MARA, DECC). Represent the company externally at industry forums, public inquiries, and regulatory hearings.
Planning& Consenting Delivery
Oversee 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 planning and consenting issues with support from legal and executive teams.
Programme & Project Management
Lead the planning and delivery of multiple concurrent projects with varying complexity, timelines, and risk profiles.
Demonstrate significant expertise in delivering multi-million-euro infrastructure projects, particularly in design for planning, environmental assessment, consenting processes, and associated legislation and policy.
Oversee procurement processes and manage contracts related to planning and environmental services.
Stakeholder & Regulatory Engagement
Act as a senior company representative in external stakeholder consultations and public engagement initiatives. Lead proactive engagement with Joint Venture partners, ensuring oversight of contractual commitments, including Service Level Agreements (SLAs). Build and maintain strong relationships with statutory authorities (e.g., An Bord Pleanála, 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.
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.
Company-Wide Resonsiblities
Cooperate fully with all company provisions related to Health, Safety, and Welfare for co-workers and the general public using the premises.
Proactively participate in the Performance Management process to support delivery of individual and team objectives.
Requirements:
Honours degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, or a related field.
Minimum of 10 years’ experience in renewable energy project development.
Proven track record in planning and consenting, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and infrastructure development.
Strong experience managing renewable energy projects in Ireland.
Background in large-scale planning applications and complex, multi-stakeholder project environments.
Deep understanding of Irish and EU planning legislation, environmental regulations, and licencing processes.
Familiarity with renewable energy technologies, grid infrastructure, and energy markets.
Experience in developing EIAR and related documentation to a high professional standard.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects with differing timelines, risk profiles, and priorities.
Skilled in project and programme management, including strategic planning and execution.
Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with experience managing cross-functional teams.
Proven ability to influence and negotiate effectively at senior levels.
Comfortable working in dynamic, evolving, and politically sensitive environments.
Solutions-oriented, with a creative and innovative approach to problem-solving.
Highly organised, self-motivated, and capable of working independently.
Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality outputs.
Additional qualifications (e.g. IPI, RTPI, IEMA) are advantageous but not essential.
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