Rail Consents Lead | Strategy, Stakeholders & Compliance

AtkinsRéalis Group; Swords; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

International remote work options

Flexible holiday allowances

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Consents Manager to lead strategy, coordination, and delivery of statutory and regulatory consents for a major rail infrastructure programme in Ireland. You will centralise consent activities, embed requirements into design and construction, and manage relationships with authorities and stakeholders.

The role requires experience with Railway Order or equivalent frameworks, strong regulatory knowledge, and a track record in complex multi-stakeholder environments.

Qualifications

• A degree (or equivalent) in Planning, Environmental Management, Engineering, Law, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrable experience delivering consents on major Irish infrastructure projects, particularly within the Railway Order framework or similar.
• Strong knowledge of Irish planning legislation, environmental assessment processes, and regulatory requirements.
• Proven, in-depth understanding of and established relationships with Irish local authorities, An Bord Pleanála (or successor bodies), and other key consenting/regulatory organisations.
• Proven experience managing commitments registers, consent conditions, and compliance tracking systems.
• Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Ability to operate in a complex, multi-stakeholder programme environment.
• Experience in rail or large-scale transport infrastructure (desirable).

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain an integrated Consents Strategy aligned to programme delivery milestones.
• Lead all planning and consent activities under the Railway Order process (or equivalent statutory approval frameworks).
• Manage and maintain a comprehensive, integrated Consents Schedule.
• Ensure all consent conditions, commitments, and obligations are fully captured, tracked, and auditable.
• Embed consent requirements into design development, environmental assessments, and construction planning.
• Support delivery teams and contractors in the discharge of planning conditions and compliance obligations.
• Lead the development and management of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with local authorities and statutory bodies.
• Establish, maintain, and leverage strong working relationships with local authorities, statutory consultees, and consenting/regulatory bodies.
• Act as a primary interface with consenting authorities to facilitate timely approvals and effective issue resolution.
• Support stakeholder and public engagement activities by providing clear, accurate consent-related information.
• Coordinate closely with property and land teams regarding safeguarding, acquisition, and access requirements.
• Develop and maintain the Consents Risk Register, identifying and mitigating programme risks.
• Provide regular reporting on consent status, risks, and issues to programme leadership and governance forums.
• Manage external consultants, advisors, and specialist inputs relating to consents.
• Support internal and external audits, ensuring full compliance with statutory and programme requirements.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Communication skills

Regulatory knowledge

Environmental law basics

Education

Degree in Planning/Environmental Management/Engineering/Law

Job description

AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Consents Manager to lead strategy, coordination, and delivery of statutory and regulatory consents for a major rail infrastructure programme in Ireland. You will centralise consent activities, embed requirements into design and construction, and manage relationships with authorities and stakeholders.

The role requires experience with Railway Order or equivalent frameworks, strong regulatory knowledge, and a track record in complex multi-stakeholder environments.