Senior Specialist Spatial Planner

Electricity Supply Board; Dublin, Cork; Hybrid; EUR 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Electricity Supply Board (ESB) is seeking a Senior Spatial Planner to join its ESB Engineering & Major Projects group in Ireland. You will lead planning applications for major projects in Ireland and the UK, provide expert planning advice, and engage with authorities and stakeholders to drive timely consents and project success.

Ideally you hold a Level 8 Town/Spatial Planning degree, 5+ years of planning experience, and Chartered status or progress toward it.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of relevant planning experience.
• Knowledge of planning legislation and consenting for major infrastructure.
• Ability to translate regulatory requirements into project directions.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary teams and prepare planning applications for major projects in Ireland and the UK.
• Provide planning advice to project teams to support feasibility and scoping.
• Engage with external stakeholders and authorities such as local authorities, ACP, and MARA.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of environmental regulatory requirements.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Safety awareness

Travel flexibility

Education

Town/Spatial Planning Degree

Chartered status or working towards it

Job description

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Category: Engineering - Planning / Environmental

Job Type: Full-time

ESB Engineering & Major Projects is seeking a Senior Spatial Planner to join us on our journey to a Brighter Future asESB delivers on its Net Zero 2040 strategy, with the key objective of delivering resilient infrastructure.

Join ourPlanningand Consenting Team, who specialise in:

Planning Applications (including SID & Offshore)

Consent Applications (including MAC & EPA Licences)

Strategic Planning & Project Planning Advice

Stakeholder Engagement with Key Entities in the Planning Process

This position is based in the multi-disciplinary Planning and Environment Groupwithin theGenerationEngineering Department.TheGen Eng P&E Group specialises in supportingESB Generation & Tradingas it delivers on its Net Zero 2040 strategyvia the development of newgenerationassets in Ireland and UK, both onshore and offshoreand with the operational activities of existing generation assets.

Key Responsibilities

Lead multidisciplinary teams and take responsibility for the preparation of applications for planning permission, strategicinfrastructureand marine area developments to theappropriate statutoryauthorities for projects in Irelandand UK, in compliance with legislative requirements.

Provideexpert planning advice to project teams acrossGeneration Engineeringand Generation Projectsto successfully scope and deliver projectsin a timely mannerby contributing to feasibility, screening and other studies for sites as required by ESB.

Demonstrate and apply a detailed understanding of existing and emerging planning legislation, including marine planning legislation, and have an ability to brief colleagues and project teams in relation to project consenting.

Lead interactions and consultations with external stakeholders and statutory authoritiessuch aslocal authorities, AnCoimisiúnPleanála(ACP) andMarine Area Regulatory Authority(MARA).

Maintainup-to-dateknowledge of relevant environmental regulatory requirements for ESB development projects.

Knowledge,Skillsand Experience

Level 8Town/Spatial PlanningDegree or equivalent.

Minimum 5 years of relevantplanningexperience.

In-depth knowledge and experience of planning legislation (existing and emerging) and consenting for major infrastructure developments in Irelandandabilityto translate new and changing regulatory requirements into workable directions for project teams.

High levelof specialistexpertiseand strong technical capabilityand proven ability to manage significant projects or key aspects of projectsand deliverhigh performanceresults.

Strong safety awareness and communication skills.

Valid driver's license for ROI, access to a car, and flexibility to travel nationwide

Strong stakeholder management and problem-solving skills and proventrack recordof managing internal and external stakeholders.

Chartered status or working towards it in a recognised professional institution.

Level9Town/Spatial PlanningDegree or equivalent.

Knowledge and experience of planning and consentinglegislation in the UK and/or within the offshore energy sector in Ireland or the UK.

Other related qualifications including project management

Location

This position will be based in ESB E&MP’s Offices in The Siding's Dublin or Eastgate Cork.

Smart Working at ESB is designed to make ‘in-person’ time together as purposeful as possible while also enabling the effective use of digital tools and hybrid arrangements to preserve our commitment to flexibility. The successful candidate may work flexibly within thejurisdictionwhere they have been employed, with attendance at the workplace for in-person collaboration at least two days per week. All Smart Working arrangements are subject to regular review based on the operational requirements of the role, the team, and the business.

Reporting To

Gen Eng P&E Group -Planning and Consenting Team Lead.

Why Work with Us?

• Opportunity to lead Ireland’s transition tonet zero carbon future
• Career developmentthrough mentoring andtraining
• Corporate Social Responsibility Opportunities
• Sports and Social Clubs
• Networking opportunities
• Credit Union
• Access to staff well-being programmes
• Generous parental leave entitlements
• Strong values-based and inclusive culture
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
• Great team environment working to our Core Values: Courageous, Caring, Driven and Trusted

Closing Date

24th september 2026

Interview

Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will complete a Behavioural Interview based on each of the following Behaviours, which underpin how we work at ESB and are critical to delivering our strategy:

Your application will be held in reserve for 6 months should you be suitable for the role.

The successful candidate will be required to evidence their right to work in the Republic of Ireland / UK prior to commencement of employment.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement

ESB is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all sections of society and ensure that no one is discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion or belief, ethnicity or nationality, disability, age, citizenship, marital status, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other basis as protected by law.

Applicants who anticipate requiring assistance or reasonable accommodations for any part of the application or interview process may contact, in confidence, [e-mail].

About ESB

Join us in our mission to achieve a net-zero electricity system by 2040. ESB is Ireland’s leading energy utility, with activities spanning electricity generation, transmission and distribution, energy supply, energy services and international consultancy. Operating in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain, we invest over €1 billion each year to deliver a new energy future based on reliable, affordable zero-carbon electricity.