Senior Planner

TOBIN; Ireland; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

TOBIN, an AtkinsRéalis Company, is seeking a Senior Planner to join our Environment & Planning Division across multiple Dublin/Ireland locations with hybrid working options. You will prepare and manage planning applications, handle appeals, conduct feasibility studies, and support a junior planning team within a multidisciplinary setting aimed at sustainable development.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years' planning experience, is or is working toward IPI/RTPI membership, and offers strong writing

Qualifications

• Irish planning experience (8+ years) in public or private sectors.
• Membership in IPI or RTPI or working towards accreditation is preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and analytical skills.
• Ability to take initiative and make informed decisions.
• Experience guiding sustainable projects through the planning process.
• Collaborative mindset with engineers and scientists.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Teams, Microsoft Project, and other relevant software.
• Ability to identify, manage, and advise on planning risks.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and review planning reports and applications.
• Review reports, figures, and drawings prepared by team members across planning, engineering, and environmental disciplines.
• Validate and sign off on planning application content, including forms, notices, and drawings.
• Prepare and review EIAR chapters and Planning & Environmental Consideration Reports (PECRs).
• Provide strategic planning leadership and direction on sectoral and project-specific planning matters.
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of planning legislation, policy, and guidance.
• Liaise with clients to deliver high-quality planning advice, reports, and outputs.
• Collaborate with legal teams to support documentation for planning court proceedings.
• Represent clients in meetings with planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála.
• Engage with stakeholders such as the public, statutory consultees, and government departments.
• Coordinate with peer reviewers, legal teams, and clients to finalise deliverables.
• Attend Oral Hearings as an Expert Witness and participate in public consultations.
• Contribute to tender responses, including pricing and technical input.
• Understand and manage project timelines and objectives.
• Lead project teams to ensure timely and budget-conscious delivery.
• Mentor and support junior planning staff.
• Participate in business development activities to promote TOBIN’s planning services.
• Maintain and grow client relationships.
• Stay current with legislative changes, case law, and industry innovations.
• Ensure compliance with and contribute to QA procedures.

Skills

Strong written and verbalcommunication

Project management

Leadership

Mentoring junior staff

Stakeholder engagement

Business development

Client relationship management

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Analytical skills

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

Microsoft Project

Teams

Job description

TOBIN, an AtkinsRéalis Company is seeking a Senior Planner to join our growing Environment & Planning Division in Dublin / Castlebar / Galway / Limerick / Sligo /Cork or Dundalk (location flexible with hybrid working options). This is a great opportunity for an experienced and motivated professional to contribute to a diverse range of planning projects across multiple sectors. The role involves preparing and managing planning applications, handling appeals, conducting feasibility studies, and supporting the junior planning team — all while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team on projects that shape communities and support sustainable development. We’re looking for someone with a strong understanding of the Irish planning system, gained in either the public or private sector. The ideal candidate will be a Corporate Member of the IPI or Chartered Member of the RTPI (or working towards accreditation), and will bring excellent communication and writing skills, along with a passion for delivering high-quality planning solutions in a fast-paced environment. In return, we offer a competitive remuneration package and strong career development prospects within a dynamic, multi-disciplinary consultancy. To note, following TOBIN's recent acquisition by AtkinsRéalis, TOBIN now operates as TOBIN, an AtkinsRéalis Company. Candidates applying for this position will become part of the wider AtkinsRéalis group, a world-leading engineering and project management company.

• Prepare and review planning reports and applications.
• Review reports, figures, and drawings prepared by team members across planning, engineering, and environmental disciplines.
• Validate and sign off on planning application content, including forms, notices, and drawings.
• Prepare and review EIAR chapters and Planning & Environmental Consideration Reports (PECRs).
• Provide strategic planning leadership and direction on sectoral and project-specific planning matters.
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of planning legislation, policy, and guidance, offering solution-based planning risk management.
• Liaise with clients (internal and external) to deliver high-quality planning advice, reports, and outputs.
• Collaborate with legal teams to support documentation for planning court proceedings, including judicial reviews.
• Represent clients in meetings with planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála, including pre-application consultations.
• Engage with stakeholders such as the public, statutory consultees, and government departments (e.g., NPWS, IFI, TII).
• Coordinate with peer reviewers, legal teams, and clients to finalise deliverables to the required standard.
• Attend Oral Hearings as an Expert Witness and participate in public consultation events.
• Contribute to tender responses, including pricing and technical input.
• Understand and manage project timelines and objectives.
• Lead project teams to ensure timely and budget-conscious delivery.
• Mentor and support junior planning staff.
• Participate in business development activities to promote TOBIN’s planning services.
• Maintain and grow client relationships.
• Stay current with legislative changes, case law, and industry innovations.
• Ensure compliance with and contribute to the development of quality assurance procedures.
• Actively promote TOBIN’s planning services and support company growth.

• At least 8 years’ experience in a similar planning role.
• Currently working towards, or already holds, Corporate Membership of the IPI or Chartered Membership of the RTPI.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and analytical skills.
• Ability to take initiative and make informed decisions.
• Skilled in conflict mediation and consensus‑building in planning contexts.
• Experience guiding sustainable projects through the planning process.
• Collaborative mindset with engineers and scientists to deliver practical, sustainable solutions.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Teams, Microsoft Project, and other relevant software.
• Ability to identify, manage, and advise on planning risks.