Head of Project Development

Harper Finley Professional Recruitment; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Harper Finley Professional Recruitment seeks a Head of Project Development to lead non-technical district heating project development through to construction. You will own land, planning consents and budgeting, coordinating multi-disciplinary teams and external advisers.

You will manage master schedules, land rights, route strategies and stakeholder engagement, while ensuring budgets, funding and due diligence are aligned with project milestones.

Qualifications

• Must have a degree in planning, property, engineering, geography, law, project management, or environmental science.
• 10+ years' experience developing infrastructure, energy or major property projects.
• 3+ years' experience leading teams.
• Proven capability from origination through land assembly, planning and consenting to construction.
• Strong knowledge of the Irish planning system and environmental assessment processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop and grow the Project Development team.
• Own the master development programme and critical path across the project pipeline.
• Develop and execute land acquisition, property rights and route strategies.
• Lead planning applications, environmental assessments, statutory consents and stakeholder engagement.
• Manage utility connections, third-party agreements and infrastructure interfaces.
• Own development budgets, forecasting and financial inputs.
• Support investment, grant and funding applications and due diligence.
• Manage development risks and ensure projects meet stage-gate requirements.
• Lead the formal handover of fully consented projects to the construction team.
• Represent the business with investors, local authorities, consultants, landowners and communities.

Skills

Leadership

Programme management

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Communication

Planning & budgeting

Education

Degree in planning or related discipline

Job description

Location: Hybrid - Dublin & UK with occasional travel

Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Reporting to: CEO

About the Company

Our client is a rapidly growing developer of district heating and low-carbon energy infrastructure, delivering turnkey solutions from initial feasibility through development, funding, construction and operation.

With an expanding project pipeline across Ireland, the business is building a high-calibre team to support the delivery of major low-carbon heat networks across Irish cities and towns.

The Role

As Head of Project Development, you will lead the non-technical development of district heating projects through to construction. You will own land and property, planning and environmental consents, utility agreements, development programmes and budgets, ensuring multiple workstreams come together to make projects construction-ready.

You will lead a multidisciplinary development team covering Land & Property, Planning & Consents and Development Project Management, while managing external consultants, advisers and key stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, develop and grow the Project Development team.
• Own the master development programme and critical path across the project pipeline.
• Develop and execute land acquisition, property rights and route strategies.
• Lead planning applications, environmental assessments, statutory consents and stakeholder engagement.
• Manage utility connections, third-party agreements and infrastructure interfaces.
• Own development budgets, forecasting and financial inputs.
• Support investment, grant and funding applications and due diligence.
• Manage development risks and ensure projects meet stage-gate requirements.
• Lead the formal handover of fully consented projects to the construction team.
• Represent the business with investors, local authorities, consultants, landowners and communities.

About You

• Degree in planning, property, engineering, geography, law, project management, environmental science or related discipline.
• 10+ years' experience developing infrastructure, energy or major property projects.
• 3+ years' experience leading teams.
• Proven experience taking projects from origination through land assembly, planning and consenting to construction.
• Strong knowledge of the Irish planning system and environmental assessment processes.
• Experience with land rights, wayleaves, easements, leases and utility agreements.
• Strong programme, commercial and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary external advisers and budgets.
• Excellent communication, judgement and negotiation skills.

Desirable: District heating or linear infrastructure experience; professional membership; public-sector infrastructure experience; compulsory acquisition knowledge; grant-funded programmes; community engagement experience; full driving licence.

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Ireland.