Associate Director / Technical Director – Planning Lead

WSP; Naas; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in Ireland is looking for an Associate Director / Technical Director – Planning Lead to shape and lead a planning team. You will be involved in delivering complex planning projects across various sectors, providing strategic planning advice, and ensuring compliant project delivery aligned with Irish legislation.

Ideal candidates have a degree in Town Planning, strong knowledge of the planning system, and excellent communication skills. This role represents an exciting growth opportunity within WSP's ambitious team.

Qualifications

• Comprehensive professional experience in the Irish market.
• Demonstrated experience in managing planning applications and EIAR coordination.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deliver to tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Shape and lead a planning team.
• Lead and manage the delivery of planning services.
• Provide strategic planning advice and engage with clients.

Skills

Strong knowledge of the Irish planning system

Excellent report writing

Stakeholder engagement skills

Commercial awareness

Education

Degree in Town Planning or related discipline

Chartered Member of Irish Planning Institute or RTPI

Job description

Associate Director / Technical Director – Planning Lead

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

WSP is an award-winning consultancy that employs the largest number of chartered town planners across the UK, operating within both the infrastructure and property markets. In December 2025, WSP won the RTPI’s Planning Consultancy of the Year with judges commending the Team for their excellence in uniting diverse disciplines to achieve outstanding results.

It has never been a more exciting time to join WSP’s team in Ireland. Our success is built on employing highly skilled consenting specialists that have experience in serving a diverse portfolio of clients in the energy, renewables, nuclear, net zero, water, rail and transportation and aviation sectors. We work at all stages of the consenting process from early feasibility, application preparation and delivery of consents through construction and on a variety of projects across sectors.

To continue to sustainably grow as a business, we are looking for an experienced Associate Director / Technical Director to shape and lead a planning team and support town planning and consenting inputs on major and nationally important projects. The successful candidate will have demonstrable experience of working within multi-disciplinary teams to secure consent and approvals for major projects across a diverse portfolio of projects or nationally significant projects via the Planning and Development Acts.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Associate Director / Technical Director Town Planning to join our team in Ireland. This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in delivering complex planning projects across infrastructure, energy, residential, commercial, and public sector developments. WSP in Ireland has several exciting projects and our ambitions for growth across Ireland are large. This role is the opportunity to be at the beginning of our journey and shape and lead a planning team.

You will provide strategic planning advice, lead multidisciplinary project teams, and engage with clients, stakeholders, and regulatory authorities to secure successful planning outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Shape and lead a planning team, including supporting on how we position ourselves and grow the service offering.
• Leading consenting inputs on major projects.
• Lead and manage the delivery of planning services across a diverse portfolio of projects.
• Providing strong technical leadership and advice to clients and managing their consenting requirements including site appraisals and development feasibility assessments.
• Co-ordinating the preparation and submission of consent applications which may include applications under the Planning and Development Acts.
• Acting as Project Director for projects led and managed by the Earth and Environment business in Ireland.
• Leading on complex negotiations with statutory bodies and stakeholders on behalf of clients.
• Acting as Planning Expert Witness at examinations or other hearings or inquiries.
• Supporting and pursuing new work winning opportunities in line with WSPs Growth Strategy.
• Strong understanding of project finances and demonstrable project management experience within a consultancy environment.
• Mentor and support junior planners, contributing to team development and supporting them in their work project delivery roles.
• Prepare and coordinate planning applications, Environmental Impact Assessment Reports (EIARs), and planning submissions linking with our EIA team.
• Engage proactively with local authorities, An Bord Pleanála, and key stakeholders.
• Support the delivery of large-scale infrastructure and renewable energy projects.
• Contribute to business development, bid preparation, and client relationship management.
• Ensure compliance with Irish planning legislation and policy frameworks.

About You

• Degree qualified in Town Planning or a related discipline.
• Chartered Member (or working towards) of the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) or RTPI.
• Comprehensive, professional experience in the Irish market.
• Strong knowledge of the Irish planning system, legislation, and consenting processes.
• Demonstrated experience in managing planning applications and EIAR coordination.
• Excellent report writing, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deliver to tight deadlines.
• Commercial awareness and client-focused approach.

Experience Managing and Growing a Team

• Experience in infrastructure (transport, energy, utilities) or major development projects.
• Knowledge of Appropriate Assessment (AA) and environmental planning processes.
• Track record of successful project delivery through Irish planning authorities.

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.