Development Project Manager

Circal; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Incentive plan

Flexible working

Job summary

Circal is seeking a Senior Project Development Manager – Solar & Storage to drive utility-scale projects in Ireland from origination to Ready-to-Build. You will lead design, environmental, planning and grid workstreams, and manage consultants and stakeholders in line with Circal's development strategy and timelines.

Based in Ireland with a hybrid work model, the role reports to the Head of Development or CEO and requires a degree in Planning, Environmental Science, Engineering, Geography or

Qualifications

• Degree in Planning, Environmental Science, Engineering, Geography or related field.
• 5+ years in renewable development (solar/storage/wind).
• Strong knowledge of Irish planning, environmental assessment and grid processes.
• Track record of leading multidisciplinary consultants through permitting.
• Comfort with GIS and PM tools.

Responsibilities

• Own the full development lifecycle of solar and storage projects from origination through permitting and grid.
• Lead site feasibility, design iterations, environmental assessments, planning and grid applications.
• Appoint and manage consultants and vendors; engage landowners, communities and regulators.
• Drive planning, permitting and grid approvals; manage project risk and compliance.
• Track budgets, support financial modelling and land/commercial negotiations.
• Report to the Executive Team on strategy, portfolio, cash flow and budgets.

Skills

Project leadership

Stakeholder management

Regulatory awareness

Education

Degree in Planning, Environmental Science, Engineering, Geography

Tools

GIS

PM tools

Job description

Senior Project Development Manager – Solar & Storage - Ireland

Company Profile

• Circal is a solar and battery storage development group operating in Ireland and the US.
• Since its establishment in 2024, Circal has grown rapidly.
• Backed by Octopus Energy Generation, it aims to bring 1.65 GW of projects in Ireland and Texas to Ready-to-Build status by 2030.

The Position

• You will drive utility-scale solar and storage projects from origination to Ready-to-Build.
• You will lead the design, environmental, planning and grid workstreams, and manage consultants and stakeholders in line with Circal's development strategy and timelines.
• Reports to: [Head of Development / CEO]
• Location: [Ireland – hybrid]

Key Responsibilities

• Project leadership: Own the full development lifecycle of solar and storage projects, from site origination through permitting and grid. Maintain plans, schedules, budgets and KPIs, and take corrective action when needed.
• Development: Lead site feasibility, constraints mapping, design iterations, environmental assessments, planning and grid applications. Rigorously challenge consultant outputs for quality and risk.
• Stakeholders: Appoint and manage consultants and vendors. Lead engagement with landowners, communities, local authorities and regulators. Align internal design, finance and legal teams.
• Regulatory and risk: Drive planning, permitting and grid approvals, and ensure environmental and regulatory compliance. Own the project risk register and mitigate risks early.
• Commercial: Track budgets, support financial modelling for investment decisions, and assist with land and commercial negotiations.
• Reporting: Report regularly to the Executive Team on strategy, portfolio and project risk, cash flow and budgets. Track the opportunity pipeline using PM tools.

Experience and Competencies

• Degree in Planning, Environmental Science, Engineering, Geography or a related field. A postgraduate qualification is an asset.
• 5+ years in renewable development, ideally solar, storage or onshore wind.
• Strong knowledge of Irish planning, environmental assessment and EirGrid/ESB Networks grid processes.
• Track record of leading multidisciplinary consultants through complex permitting.
• Commercially astute, with an understanding of LCOE, yield and grid constraints. Comfortable with GIS and PM tools.
• Builds strong relationships with landowners, communities and statutory bodies.
• Excellent communicator, well organised and detail-focused.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and a market-leading long-term incentive plan
• Purposeful, strategic work with real growth and recognition
• Flexible working and a culture of accountability without blame