Development Manager

Collins McNicholas Group; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Company pension 5%

Private medical insurance

Salary protection

Death benefits schemes

Discretionary annual bonus

25 days holidays

Job summary

Collins McNicholas Group is seeking a Development Manager in the Dublin area with a hybrid working model. You will lead planning, environmental consent, and development across a portfolio of large-scale biogas and biomethane projects in Ireland and the UK.

The role requires a proven track record in EIARs and environmental permitting, with strong stakeholder engagement and project delivery skills. A senior, strategic contributor, you will drive planning approvals within tight timelines and

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification in Planning, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering or related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years in planning, environmental consenting and development of renewable projects.
• Proven track record securing consents for large-scale infrastructure.
• Experience in biogas/ biomethane or energy infrastructure is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of planning legislation and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning process to obtain permissions and consents for biogas/ biomethane schemes.
• Coordinate EIAR, AA, and related environmental assessments for planning.
• Oversee preparation and submission of planning documentation.
• Mitigate planning and environmental risks with design and development teams.
• Support environmental regulatory applications (industrial emissions, PPC licenses).
• Manage pre-construction compliance and liaison with authorities.
• Coordinate planning appeals, hearings, and expert testimony when required.
• Engage with regulators, authorities, landowners and communities throughout development.

Skills

Planning & Approvals

EIAR Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Project Delivery

Regulatory Liaison

Communication

Team Leadership

Education

NFQ Level 8 in Planning/Environmental Science or related field

Job description

Job Title: Development Manager

Location: Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin / Hybrid

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

The organisation is focused on developing and operating industrial-scale renewable gas infrastructure, contributing to decarbonisation, energy security and the transition to a more sustainable energy system.

With a substantial pipeline of projects and the backing of infrastructure investment, the business is entering an important phase of development and expansion.

This is a senior opportunity for an experienced development professional to take responsibility for planning, environmental consenting and project delivery across a portfolio of renewable energy projects.

The Role

The Development Manager will be responsible for managing the planning, environmental consenting and development process for large-scale biogas and biomethane projects, from early-stage site assessment and project development through to planning approval and pre-construction compliance.

Working closely with internal project teams, external consultants, regulatory authorities and other stakeholders, the successful candidate will play a key role in progressing projects through the development lifecycle and ensuring delivery within agreed timescales, budgets and specifications.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the planning process to secure planning permissions and consents for large-scale biogas and biomethane projects.


• Coordinate and manage external consultants undertaking Environmental Impact Assessment Reports (EIAR), EIA screening, Appropriate Assessment (AA), Ecological Impact Assessments and other technical studies required for planning applications.


• Oversee the preparation, review and submission of planning application documentation.


• Work closely with project design teams to identify, assess and mitigate planning, environmental and permitting risks throughout the design and development process.


• Support the preparation and submission of environmental regulatory applications, including Industrial Emissions and Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) licences, as well as other relevant permits, including Animal By-Product approvals.


• Manage pre-construction planning and environmental compliance, including the discharge of planning conditions and liaison with planning and environmental authorities.


• Coordinate planning appeals, oral hearings and public inquiries, including the preparation of evidence and provision of expert witness testimony where required.

Stakeholder Engagement and Public Consultation

• Manage engagement with relevant stakeholders, including local authorities, environmental regulators, statutory bodies, landowners, neighbouring residents, utility providers and other public bodies.


• Plan and deliver public consultation programmes, community engagement activities and public information events.


• Build and maintain effective working relationships with regulators, statutory consultees and other stakeholders throughout the project development process.

Project Development and Commercial Support

• Support the identification, assessment and development of strategic project opportunities across Ireland and the UK.


• Undertake site selection assessments, planning appraisals and environmental due diligence for potential development sites and acquisition opportunities.


• Support the commercial team with market analysis, sector intelligence and the identification of potential development and acquisition opportunities.


• Monitor developments in biomethane and renewable energy policy, legislation, planning decisions and regulatory frameworks.


• Contribute to policy reviews, industry engagement and lobbying activities relevant to the development of renewable gas infrastructure.

Project Management and Reporting

• Take responsibility for delivering development projects in line with agreed objectives, specifications, programmes and budgets.


• Manage external consultants, technical workstreams and project resources to ensure the effective progression of development activities.


• Identify, manage and report project risks, consenting challenges and potential delays.


• Provide regular progress reports and updates to the Chief Operations Officer, highlighting project milestones, emerging risks and key decisions.


• Undertake other relevant activities in support of the wider development and business objectives.

Candidate Profile – Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate will be an experienced planning, environmental or renewable energy development professional with a proven track record of securing consents and delivering complex infrastructure projects.

Essential Requirements

• Degree-level qualification (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent) in Planning, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering or a related discipline.


• Minimum of 10 years' relevant professional experience in planning, environmental consenting and project development.


• Demonstrable experience managing and delivering EIARs, Appropriate Assessments, planning applications and environmental permit applications for large-scale infrastructure projects.


• Experience in the renewable energy sector, ideally involving biogas, biomethane, anaerobic digestion or other energy infrastructure.


• Strong working knowledge of relevant planning and environmental legislation, regulatory requirements, codes of practice and technical standards.


• Proven experience engaging with planning authorities, environmental regulators, statutory bodies and local communities.


• Demonstrable project management experience, including responsibility for delivering projects to agreed programmes, budgets and specifications.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with technical, commercial and regulatory stakeholders.

Whats on offer:

• Hybrid working model


• Pension: Eligible for company pension scheme with a 5% employer contribution.


• Insurances: Participation in private medical insurance, salary protection, and death benefits schemes.


• Bonus: Discretionary annual bonus based on personal and company performance.


• Holidays: 25 days paid holiday per year (pro-rated if applicable).

For further details about this opportunity please contact Gillian Nicholson [e-mail] 353 90 6450665