Chief Planning Commissioner

publicjobs; Dublin; On-site; EUR 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A public planning authority in Dublin is seeking a Chief Planning Commissioner to oversee day-to-day operations and ensure timely, robust planning decisions. This full-time, 5-year executive role involves leading a team to maintain high standards in planning appeals and applications. Candidates should have a strong background in planning or related fields and be committed to transparency and independence in the planning system.

Qualifications

• Direct responsibility for efficient organisation and oversight of decision-making.
• Ensuring high-quality independent planning decisions on appeals and applications.
• Ability to monitor and review the performance of Planning Commissioners.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Planning Commissioners to ensure efficient performance.
• Develop decision-making procedures in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer.
• Carry out a quasi-judicial function to ensure public confidence in the planning system.

Job description

Job Title

Chief Planning Commissioner

Employer

An Coimisiún Pleanála

Location

Dublin

Closing Date

3pm, Thursday, 23 October 2025

Salary

Starting at €217,087

Job summary

The person appointed as Chief Planning Commissioner will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and will lead the Planning Commissioners and will be responsible for overseeing and directing the day-to-day performance of the Planning Commissioners to ensure they deliver robust, legally sound high-quality timely decisions on all case work i.e. planning appeals, direct applications and other case types in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area in question.

The Chief Planning Commissioner is a full‑time executive appointment for a 5‑year term of office, as provided for in section 510 of the Planning and Development Act 2024. The main duties are to lead the Deputy Planning Commissioner and ordinary Planning Commissioners, ensure efficient organisation, oversight and discharge of day‑to‑day decision‑making processes, and support the ten‑year National Development Plan.

Main Duties of the Job

The Chief Planning Commissioner will be appointed by the Governing Board following a competitive process and will have direct responsibility for the efficient organisation, oversight and discharge of day‑to‑day decision‑making at Commissioner level. The role involves ensuring high‑quality independent planning decisions on appeals and applications, managing the work of the Commissioners to meet statutory time objectives and maintaining efficient service delivery.

Chief Planning Commissioner Responsibilities

• Ensure the efficient performance by the Planning Commissioners of their functions.
• Participate and make decisions on case work as per procedures.
• Act independently in the performance of their functions under the 2024 Act or any other enactment.
• Consult with the Chief Executive Officer in preparing decision‑making procedures to be approved by the Governing Board under section 503 and follow those procedures.
• Develop any procedure the Governing Board, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, considers necessary for the efficient performance by the Planning Commissioners (and inspectors).
• Report to the Chief Executive Officer and attend Governing Board meetings when required.
• Monitor and review the performance of the Deputy Planning Commissioner and Planning Commissioners under the Performance Management through Development and Support systems (PMDS).
• Carry out the quasi‑judicial function of An Coimisiún Pleanála to ensure overall public confidence in the planning system, and that decisions are proper, fair, open and robust enough to stand up to legal challenge.

For a full list of requirements please refer to the candidate information booklet.

Information about the organisation

An Coimisiún Pleanála plays a critical role in the Irish planning system and has a quasi‑judicial role in deciding appeals of planning decisions made by local authorities, direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other categories of development.

Its mandate is to provide robust planning decisions in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area within specified/mandatory timelines, whilst ensuring transparency, impartiality and independence.

Benefits

See information Bulletin.

Selection Process Details

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 3pm on Thursday 23rd October 2025. If you feel you would benefit from a confidential discussion about any aspect of this significant opportunity, please contact Ms. Niamh McGuinness by email.

We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.