Consent Manager

Matchtech; Dublin; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Matchtech is seeking a Consent Manager to lead consents management for a major rail infrastructure programme in Ireland. This contract role will oversee strategy, coordination and delivery of statutory and regulatory consents, ensuring timely permissions and compliance while managing programme risks.

The ideal candidate will be based in Ireland or willing to relocate, with experience in Irish planning and Railway Order frameworks, and a strong track record of coordinating with authorities and

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Planning, Environmental Management, Engineering, Law or related discipline.
• Demonstrable experience delivering consents on major Irish infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of Irish planning legislation, environmental assessment processes and regulatory requirements.
• Experience working within the Railway Order framework or similar statutory approval process.
• Established understanding of Irish local authorities relationships.
• Experience managing commitments registers and consent conditions.
• Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a complex, multi‑stakeholder programme environment.
• Rail or large‑scale transport infrastructure experience is desirable.
• Strong strategic thinking, organisational and risk management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and maintain an integrated Consents Strategy aligned with programme milestones.
• Lead planning and consent activities under the Railway Order or equivalent frameworks.
• Manage an integrated Consents Schedule with auditable conditions and obligations.
• Embed consent requirements into design development, environmental assessments and construction planning.
• Support delivery teams with discharge of planning conditions and compliance obligations.
• Develop and manage MOUs with local authorities and statutory bodies.
• Interface with consenting authorities to facilitate approvals and resolve issues.
• Maintain relationships with statutory consultees, regulatory bodies, and land teams.
• Develop and maintain a Consents Risk Register with regular reporting.
• Manage external consultants and inputs for audits and governance activities.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Communication

Strategic thinking

Risk management

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Planning/Environmental/Engineering/Law degree

Job description

Our client is seeking a Consent Manager to lead consents management for a major rail infrastructure programme. This contract role will oversee the strategy, coordination and delivery of statutory and regulatory consents, ensuring permissions are secured promptly, compliance obligations are met and programme risks are effectively managed.

Working across multidisciplinary teams, you will embed consent requirements into design, procurement and construction activities while engaging with local authorities, statutory bodies, regulatory organisations and wider stakeholders. We are looking for an individual whom is presently based in Ireland or willing to fully relocate for the position. Whilst advertised as a contract position, the client is also willing to consider permanent staff applications.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement and maintain an integrated Consents Strategy aligned with programme delivery milestones
• Lead planning and consent activities under the Railway Order process or equivalent statutory approval frameworks
• Manage an integrated Consents Schedule, ensuring conditions, commitments and obligations are accurately recorded and auditable
• Embed consent requirements into design development, environmental assessments and construction planning
• Support delivery teams and contractors with the discharge of planning conditions and compliance obligations
• Develop and manage Memoranda of Understanding with local authorities and statutory bodies
• Act as the primary interface with consenting authorities to facilitate approvals and resolve issues
• Maintain strong relationships with statutory consultees, regulatory bodies, property teams and land teams
• Develop and maintain a Consents Risk Register, providing regular reporting on consent status, risks and issues
• Manage external consultants, specialist advisers and consent-related inputs, supporting audits and governance activities

Job Requirements:

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Planning, Environmental Management, Engineering, Law or a related discipline
• Demonstrable experience delivering consents on major Irish infrastructure projects
• Strong knowledge of Irish planning legislation, environmental assessment processes and regulatory requirements
• Experience working within the Railway Order framework or a similar statutory approval process
• Established understanding of, and relationships with, Irish local authorities
• Experience managing commitments registers, consent conditions and compliance tracking systems
• Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation and communication skills
• Ability to work effectively within a complex, multi-stakeholder programme environment
• Experience in rail or large-scale transport infrastructure is desirable
• Strong strategic thinking, organisational, risk management and problem-solving skills

This is an opportunity to contribute to a significant rail infrastructure programme, providing strategic leadership across consents management, governance, compliance and stakeholder engagement.

If you have strong experience in consents management and are ready to support the delivery of major rail infrastructure.