Development Associate

Collins McNicholas Group; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5% employer pension contribution

Private medical insurance

Salary protection and death benefits

Discretionary annual bonus

25 days annual leave

Career development

Exposure to major-scale projects

Job summary

Collins McNicholas Group is seeking a Development Associate in the Dublin area (Dún Laoghaire) with hybrid working arrangements. The role focuses on supporting planning applications, environmental consents and due diligence across large-scale biogas/renewable energy projects in Ireland and the UK.

The candidate will engage with external consultants, regulators and landowners, coordinating EIAR/EIA studies and environmental documentation from early development through pre-construction stages.

Qualifications

• Degree required in Planning, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies or related field.
• 5–7 years of relevant professional experience in planning, environmental consultancy, renewable energy or related sector.
• Experience with planning applications and environmental assessments for medium to large projects.
• Knowledge of planning, environmental and regulatory legislation.

Responsibilities

• Support development and delivery of planning applications and environmental consents for large-scale projects.
• Coordinate with external consultants on EIAR, EIA screening, AA and other studies.
• Assist with preparation and submission of planning documents.
• Identify planning and environmental issues with design teams and support solutions.
• Assist with environmental and operational consent applications including PPC licenses.
• Liaise with local authorities, regulators, consultants, landowners and stakeholders.
• Support public consultation activities and stakeholder engagement.
• Assist with management of planning conditions and environmental compliance pre-construction.
• Support responses to planning queries and regulatory matters.
• Assist with site selection, planning assessments and environmental due diligence for new opportunities.
• Monitor changes in planning policy and environmental legislation.
• Support project reporting, risk identification and development coordination.
• Contribute to market research to identify opportunities.

Skills

Planning experience

Environmental assessments

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Project coordination

Written and verbal communication

Renewable energy interest

Education

NFQ Level 8 degree in Planning/Environmental Science

Job description

Job Title: Development Associate

Location: Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin / Hybrid

We have an excellent opportunity for an experienced Development/Planning Associate to join our client, a fast-growing renewable energy company developing and operating large-scale biogas and biomethane projects across Ireland and the UK.

As the business continues to expand its pipeline of renewable energy projects, this role will support projects from early-stage development through planning, environmental consenting and pre-construction. The successful candidate will work closely with senior members of the development team, external consultants, project designers, regulators and other stakeholders.

Main Responsibilities:

• Support the development and delivery of planning applications and environmental consents for large-scale biogas, biomethane and renewable energy projects.
• Coordinate with external consultants undertaking EIAR, EIA screening, Appropriate Assessment (AA), ecological and other specialist studies.
• Assist with the preparation, review and submission of planning applications and environmental documentation.
• Work with project design teams to identify planning, environmental and permitting issues and support the development of appropriate solutions.
• Assist with applications for environmental and operational consents, including Industrial Emissions / PPC licences and other relevant permits.
• Liaise with local authorities, regulatory and statutory bodies, consultants, landowners and other stakeholders.
• Support the preparation and delivery of public consultation activities and stakeholder engagement.
• Assist with the management and discharge of planning conditions and environmental compliance requirements during pre-construction.
• Support responses to planning queries, requests for further information, appeals and other regulatory matters.
• Assist with site selection, planning assessments and environmental due diligence for potential new development opportunities.
• Monitor developments in planning policy, environmental legislation and the renewable energy sector.
• Support project reporting, programme tracking, risk identification and coordination of development activities.
• Assist with market and sector research to identify potential development and acquisition opportunities.
• Contribute to the delivery of projects in line with agreed timescales, objectives and budgets.

Main Requirements:

• Degree (NFQ Level 8) in Planning, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies or a related discipline.
• 5–7 years' relevant professional experience in planning, environmental consultancy, renewable energy, infrastructure, development or a related sector.
• Experience supporting or managing planning applications and environmental assessments for medium to large-scale projects.
• Good working knowledge of relevant planning, environmental and regulatory legislation.
• Experience working with external consultants and coordinating technical inputs across a multidisciplinary project.
• Experience engaging with local authorities, statutory bodies, regulators or other external stakeholders.
• Understanding of EIAR, EIA screening, Appropriate Assessment and/or environmental permitting processes.
• Strong project coordination and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A proactive approach with strong judgement, problem-solving and attention to detail.
• Genuine interest in renewable energy, biogas, biomethane and the transition to a more sustainable energy system.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary project team.
• Dublin-based preferred but not essential.

What We Offer:

• 5% employer pension contribution
• Private medical insurance
• Salary protection and death benefits insurance
• Discretionary annual bonus linked to personal performance and company milestones
• 25 days' annual leave
• Opportunity to develop a career within a fast-growing renewable energy business
• Exposure to major-scale biogas and biomethane development projects across Ireland and the UK