Senior Planner

lda; Cork, Dublin; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

lda is seeking a Senior Planner to manage and progress key development schemes across Ireland. The role requires a strong understanding of the Irish planning system, with a focus on collaboration and strategic planning.

The successful candidate will have a minimum of 10 years' experience and a recognized planning qualification. This permanent full-time position offers a chance to make a real impact in affordable housing and community development.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years professional/ post‑qualification experience.
• In depth understanding of the Irish Planning system and legislation.
• Experience in master planning and regeneration.

Responsibilities

• Support preparation and progress of spatial plans and masterplans.
• Liaise with stakeholders to deliver robust urban growth plans.
• Manage and analyze feasibility studies for projects.
• Build partnerships with local authorities and landowners.

Skills

Irish planning knowledge

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Urban design

Attention to detail

Education

3rd level planning qualification (IPI or RTPI)

Job description

Job Title: Senior Planner

Department: Planning Services (Strategic Planning)

Location: Dublin / Cork

Job Type: Permanent Full-Time

About the Land Development Agency

The Land Development Agency (LDA) is the State’s affordable housing delivery body. Its main role is to acquire and develop State and other land to deliver affordable homes, supporting the creation of thriving communities and delivering ongoing positive social impact.

It is overseen by an independent Board of Directors and has total capitalisation of up to €8.75bn. To date €6.25 billion of equity capital has been committed by Government and a further €2.5bn capitalisation is permitted under legislation from other sources/debt.

• The LDA is active on 20+ State Land sites and has a delivery pipeline of 25,000 homes +
• The Agency also works in partnership with the country’s largest and most experienced homebuilders and will deliver a further 8,000 homes under its Project Tosaigh initiative.
• Additionally, the LDA is working on large-scale longer-term strategic areas by master-planning and bringing forward planning applications in locations such as Limerick Colbert Quarter, the Digital Hub in Dublin and Sandy Road in Galway.

Role Summary

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced planning professional who has relevant and recent experience of the Irish planning system and a demonstrable track record in strategic /urban planning to take their careers to the next level to progress key development and regeneration schemes across Ireland.

Key Responsibilities

• To support, advise and progress the preparation of spatial plans and masterplans and related workstreams on strategic/ activation areas and other LDA projects as required.
• To liaise with stakeholders and partners, design teams and colleagues to ensure the development and delivery of robust, deliverable and ambitious plans for compact urban growth and regeneration
• To work with colleagues to identify areas with potential for future development/ regeneration in support of LDA role and remit
• To work collaboratively with key partners and stakeholders to progress the development and agreement of plans/ masterplans and projects.
• To undertake early‑stage analysis, due diligence and feasibility of potential.
• To work collaboratively as part of a programme management approach to progress the planning and development of frameworks, infrastructure plans and phased development of large‑scale mixed‑use sites to develop sustainable communities.
• To build partnerships, including with local authorities, landowners and wider stakeholders
• To support procurement or commission work, technical/ legal advice to support compliant projects as appropriate
• To provide support, advice and strategic thinking on urban planning and place making to support planning and activating large scale sites with competing interests.
• To advise and input on strategic planning matters, including submissions on county development plans, others plan, policies, schemes and reports as relevant.
• To procure, guide and manage design teams or commission technical studies or reports and manage the budgets and payments (with finance team).
• To liaise with internal & external stakeholders to progress LDA plans and objectives
• To deal with a variety of items that may arise relating to planning for and progressing development including residential, commercial and / or infrastructure.
• To support a programme management approach including processes to monitor and report on project progress regularly and track progress and raise issues.
• To put in place processes to monitor and advise on planning matters, including legislation, policy and reports for Planning, Development and Infrastructure matters.
• To build and maintain co‑operative working relationships
• To assist in the collation, analysis and interpretation a range of socio‑economic, demographic, policy and related material.
• To support public consultation and engagement for key sites for development.
• To manage budgets as appropriate for planning related matters and ensure timely progress, risks are identified, compliance and value for money aspects are achieved.
• Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Requirements

• A recognised 3rd level (IPI or RTPI) planning qualification.
• Minimum of 10 years professional/ post‑qualification experience.
• In depth understanding of the Irish Planning system, the Planning legislation, principles, practices and an ability to familiarise yourself with a changing planning environment

Person Specification

• Relevant and recent experience of Irish planning/master planning and track record of achieving successful planning outcomes.
• Be a team player and a supportive and engaged colleague.
• Be proactive and driven individual with a passion for regeneration, place‑making, best practice urban design and sustainability.
• Attention to detail in preparing reports, reviewing papers and reporting requirements.
• Excellent communication/ presentation and interpersonal skills.
• In depth understanding of the Irish Planning system and legislation, practices and techniques and an ability to review and adapt to reforms and changes as relevant
• Management experience of staff / team/ multidisciplinary teams
• Ability to work well under pressure and think laterally, with a solution‑oriented mind set
• Commitment to developing new skills and embracing new challenges.
• Full clean driving licence.

To Apply

The closing date for applications is 5pm on the 19th of June 2026

The Land Development Agency is an equal opportunities employer.

We are committed to promote and support a diverse and inclusive workforce, and we endeavour to provide reasonable accommodation as required.