Head of Land Management

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

Job summary

EirGrid Group is seeking a Head of Land Management to lead the Chief Infrastructure Office's land strategy, securing access, wayleaves and property rights for transmission projects and grid operations.

You will guide land risk strategies, manage negotiations with authorities and landowners, and ensure regulatory compliance while shaping Ireland's energy transition.

Qualifications

• Degree in land management, law, engineering, or related field required; postgraduate is a plus.
• Proven leadership in land management, infrastructure, or utility sectors.
• Experience leading large-scale land acquisition programmes.
• Strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills with landowners and authorities.
• Experience in a regulated environment.
• Extensive knowledge of land rights, wayleaves, easements, and compulsory acquisition.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement land management strategy in line with delivery objectives.
• Lead a high-performing Land Management function and build GIS capability.
• Oversee land rights activities: wayleaves, easements, leases, acquisitions.
• Negotiate with landowners, occupiers and public authorities; resolve disputes.
• Secure land rights for transmission development and operations.
• Maintain relationships with ESB Networks, landowners and stakeholders.
• Integrate land activities into project schedules and regulatory compliance.
• Oversee external legal, valuation and land advisory services.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Land management

Project management

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Degree in land management / law / engineering / related

Tools

GIS

Legal research tools

Job description

We are at the heart of Ireland’s energy transition - connecting, operating and transforming the electricity grid to support a low carbon, renewable future. We are building talented teams that tackle real world challenges every day and help us to achieve our goal to prepare the grid to carry up to 80% of Ireland’s electricity from renewable sources. We are proud to be a certified Great Place to Work, recognised for our culture built on trust, collaboration and inclusion. At EirGrid you will find supportive teams, opportunities to grow and meaningful work. We also offer secure employment with a range of flexible and family friendly working policies to support your life and wellbeing. If you are ready to make an impact and grow your career in a purpose-led organisation, your journey starts here.

The Opportunity

We are now seeking a Head of Land Management to join the Chief Infrastructure Office. This is a key leadership role supporting grid development, network delivery and strategic infrastructure expansion. The successful candidate will lead the development and delivery of EirGrid’s land management strategy, ensuring the timely acquisition and management of the land rights needed to deliver transmission infrastructure projects and support network operations. The role holder will be responsible for securing land access, wayleaves, easements and property interests, while maintaining positive stakeholder relationships and ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory and environmental obligations. They will provide strategic advice to senior leadership on land risks, opportunities and emerging policy issues.

The Team

The Chief Infrastructure Office is responsible for developing and upgrading Ireland’s electricity grid and delivering grid infrastructure at pace and at scale. We engage with communities, balancing national need with local impact, and work in close partnership with ESB Networks. By building the backbone of Ireland’s energy system, we enable balanced growth, support prosperity across regions and create the conditions for a low-carbon future.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement EirGrid’s land management strategy in line with network and infrastructure delivery objectives, providing strategic advice on land risks, opportunities and emerging policy issues.
• Lead a high-performing Land Management function, integrating existing capabilities and building the people, processes, systems and GIS capability required for EirGrid’s expanding infrastructure programme.
• Lead all activities relating to wayleaves, easements, licences, leases, land acquisition and other property rights.
• Oversee negotiations with landowners, occupiers and public authorities, and lead the resolution of land-related disputes and complex negotiations.
• Ensure land rights are secured to support transmission development programmes and operational requirements.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with ESB Networks, landowners, farming organisations, public bodies, local authorities and industry stakeholders.
• Integrate land activities into project schedules and risk management processes, maintaining compliance with property, planning, environmental and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee external legal, valuation and land advisory services.

About you

• A third-level qualification in land management, law, engineering, project management or a related discipline; a postgraduate qualification would be an advantage.
• Significant leadership experience in land management, property, infrastructure or the utility sector.
• Experience leading complex land acquisition programmes for large-scale capital projects.
• Demonstrated success in stakeholder management and negotiations with landowners and public authorities.
• Experience operating at senior leadership level in a regulated environment.
• Extensive knowledge of land acquisition, property law, wayleaves, easements and compulsory acquisition processes.

Closing date for applications

30th October 2026

We’re dedicated to diversity and inclusion at EirGrid. We recognise the strength that comes from having a diverse workforce and the importance of a supportive culture for all our people to achieve their potential. Our diversity and inclusion networks have been designed to create an inclusive culture that enables our people to feel a sense of belonging at work.

As an equal opportunities’ employer, we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. Reasonable accommodations are offered at every stage of our recruitment process.