Associate Director / Technical Director – Planning Lead

Gaia Talent; Kildare, Dublin; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Gaia Talent is assisting a leading multidisciplinary consultancy in Ireland to recruit an Associate Director / Technical Director – Planning Lead. The role will establish and grow the planning function, lead planning inputs on major infrastructure projects, and provide strategic advisory across energy, transport, water and development sectors.

The successful candidate will manage multidisciplinary teams, engage with authorities and stakeholders, and drive business development and client

Qualifications

• Degree in Town Planning or related discipline required.
• Chartered or working towards Chartered membership (IPI/RTPI) preferred.
• Extensive experience in Irish planning and consenting processes.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead a planning team to support service development and growth.
• Lead planning and consenting inputs on major infrastructure and development projects.
• Provide strategic planning advice, site appraisals and feasibility assessments.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Reporting & documentation

Business development

Team mentoring

Client relationship management

Commercial awareness

Education

Town Planning degree

IPI/RTPI membership (or in progress)

Job description

Associate Director / Technical Director – Planning Lead

Location: Dublin or Naas, Co. Kildare
Job Type: Permanent
Sector: Planning, Infrastructure & Environment

The Opportunity

A leading multidisciplinary consultancy is seeking an experienced Associate Director / Technical Director – Planning Lead to establish, lead and grow its planning team in Ireland.

This senior position offers the opportunity to shape a planning and consenting service while working on nationally significant projects across energy, renewable energy, transport, water, residential, commercial and public infrastructure. You will provide strategic planning advice, lead multidisciplinary teams and manage relationships with clients, authorities and key stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and lead a planning team, supporting service development and business growth.
• Lead planning and consenting inputs on major infrastructure and development projects.
• Provide strategic planning advice, site appraisals and development feasibility assessments.
• Manage the preparation and submission of planning applications under Irish planning legislation.
• Coordinate planning inputs to EIARs and multidisciplinary environmental assessments.
• Lead negotiations with local authorities, statutory bodies and other stakeholders.
• Act as Project Director on relevant projects and oversee project delivery, budgets and resources.
• Represent clients at examinations, hearings or inquiries where required.
• Support business development, tenders, bids and client relationship management.
• Mentor and develop junior and senior planning professionals.
• Ensure projects comply with Irish planning legislation, policy and consenting requirements.

About You

• Degree qualified in Town Planning, Planning or a related discipline.
• Chartered Member or working towards membership of the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) or RTPI.
• Extensive professional experience within the Irish planning and consenting environment.
• Strong knowledge of Irish planning legislation, policy and statutory processes.
• Proven experience managing planning applications and coordinating EIAR inputs.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and complex projects.
• Excellent report writing, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and consultancy project management experience.
• Experience managing, mentoring and growing a planning team.
• Experience across infrastructure, energy, utilities, transport or major development.
• Knowledge of Appropriate Assessment (AA) and environmental planning.
• Experience securing consents through Irish planning authorities.

Desirable

• Experience across infrastructure, energy, utilities, transport or major development.
• Knowledge of Appropriate Assessment (AA) and environmental planning.
• Experience securing consents through Irish planning authorities.

This is an opportunity to shape and lead a growing planning function while contributing to major infrastructure and development projects across Ireland.

Start Date: Standard Notice/ ASAP

Closing Date: 01/11/2026

A Member of The GreenJobs Network of Websites