Associate Director / Technical Director – Planning Lead

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Naas; Hybrid; EUR 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Chartership support

Wellbeing programme

Job summary

WSP in Ireland is seeking an experienced Associate Director / Technical Director Town Planning to lead a growing planning team across infrastructure, energy, residential, commercial, and public sector developments. You will deliver complex planning projects and provide strategic planning advice to clients and stakeholders.

You will mentor junior planners, manage EIAR coordination, engage with authorities such as An Bord Pleanála, and contribute to bid winning and business development while

Qualifications

• Degree in Town Planning or 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 managing planning applications and EIAR coordination.
• Excellent report writing, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Shape and lead a planning team and grow the service offering.
• Lead consenting inputs on major projects.
• Deliver planning services across a diverse project portfolio.
• Provide leadership and advice to clients on consenting requirements.

Skills

Report writing

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Commercial awareness

Education

Town Planning degree

IPI/RTPI membership (or working towards)

Job description

Job Description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?

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 employees 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, praising the team's strong community engagement.

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.

Our key clients include Eirgrid, ESB, Residential developers, TII and many more with big ambitions to grow.

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.

To find out more about our Planning business click on the following link and discover what awaits you at WSP : Infrastructure planning and consulting | WSP

A Little More About Your Role…

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

Desirable Experience

• 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

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Work on landmark projects around the world and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you care about. What if you could do the best work of your life and create a legacy for yourself?

About Us

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 11,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work-life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community.

Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote a culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.

Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.

We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP

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.