Head of Environmental Consenting & Strategy

EirGrid Group; Dublin; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

EirGrid Group is seeking a Head of Consenting & Environment to lead the consenting, environmental assessment and compliance team within the Infrastructure Chief Office. The role guides environmental strategy for onshore and offshore grid projects, advising senior leadership on risks and regulatory developments while enabling safe, timely delivery.

You will build capability, supervise planning applications, coordinate with regulators, and promote sustainable outcomes across Ireland’s energy

Qualifications

• A third-level qualification in planning, environmental management, law, engineering, project management or a related discipline; a postgraduate qualification would be an advantage.
• Significant leadership experience in environmental management, consenting, planning or infrastructure development.
• Experience leading environmental and consenting functions for large-scale infrastructure programmes.
• Proven success managing complex regulatory approvals and stakeholder engagement processes.
• Experience working with regulators, government bodies and statutory authorities.
• Extensive knowledge of environmental legislation and regulation, planning and development consent processes and Environmental Impact Assessment.
• Registered member of Irish Planning Institute.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement EirGrid’s consenting and environmental strategy in support of corporate and network development objectives.
• Establish and lead a high-performing function, consolidating existing expertise and recruiting and developing the additional capability required.
• Provide expert advice to the Chief Infrastructure Officer and leadership team on environmental and consenting risks, opportunities and regulatory developments.
• Integrate consenting and environmental considerations into infrastructure planning and project development processes.
• Lead planning applications, development consent applications and associated statutory approval processes.
• Oversee environmental impact assessments, supporting technical studies and environmental governance frameworks, policies and standards.
• Ensure compliance with environmental legislation, licence conditions and regulatory requirements, including environmental audits, assurance reviews, incident management and corrective actions.
• Lead biodiversity, habitat protection, sustainability and environmental mitigation strategies.
• Build constructive relationships with regulators, government agencies, environmental authorities and local authorities, and represent EirGrid at public hearings, consultations and regulatory forums.

Job description

EirGrid Group is seeking a Head of Consenting & Environment to lead the consenting, environmental assessment and compliance team within the Infrastructure Chief Office. The role guides environmental strategy for onshore and offshore grid projects, advising senior leadership on risks and regulatory developments while enabling safe, timely delivery.

You will build capability, supervise planning applications, coordinate with regulators, and promote sustainable outcomes across Ireland’s energy