Environmental Consenting Project Manager

ESB Engineering and Major Projects (EMP) is seeking an Environmental Consenting Project Manager to support delivery of ESB’s Net Zero 2040 strategy, with a focus on securing planning and environmental consents for resilient electricity generation and related infrastructure. The role is primarily responsible for leading the delivery of planning and environmental consents for new and existing projects within the Planning & Environmental Group of Generation Engineering.

The Planning & Environmental Group supports ESB Generation and Trading (GT) in the development and operation of assets across Ireland and the UK. This role contributes to ESB’s ambition to decarbonise the existing generation portfolio and develop new assets, while providing planning and environmental compliance assurance throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the delivery of environmental workstreams on projects, including:

• EIAR, PECR, AA and other environmental inputs to planning applications, including standard planning applications and Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) applications
• Post-consent environmental compliance obligations (e.g., conditions, monitoring, reporting and follow-up actions)
• Industrial Emissions Licence (IEL) applications
• Provide strategic environmental consenting expertise for established and emerging generation technologies across GT onshore projects, programmes and portfolios in Ireland and the UK
• Collaborate and coordinate with project delivery teams across GT & EMP to deliver projects in a timely manner by leading the environmental consenting workstreams
• Lead consultation and engagement with key external stakeholders and statutory authorities, as required on projects
• Procure and manage external consultants, and review technical inputs to environmental consenting documentation
• Maintain involvement in relevant industry working groups; keep expert knowledge of environmental consenting, related legislation and key legal judgements, and advise on these to inform GT planning and consenting strategy.

Experience and Qualifications

Essential 

• Minimum 7 years’ relevant environmental consenting experience on large-scale, complex infrastructure projects
• Level 8 Environmental Science / Engineering Degree or equivalent 
• In-depth knowledge and experience of the consenting process for major developments
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and project manage large projects
• Strong understanding of environmental regulatory requirements in Ireland related to consenting for major infrastructure projects
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively at all levels and deliver high-quality outcomes
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with a proven track record of managing internal and external stakeholders and leading successful public consultations
• Demonstrated ability to make timely decisions and solve problems in collaboration with key stakeholders
• Thorough understanding and knowledge of prevailing and upcoming Irish and EU planning legislation; knowledge of UK planning legislation is an advantage
• Excellent communication, influencing, reporting and presentation skills
• Strong teamwork skills and the ability to work effectively across disciplines
• Full driver’s license and flexibility to travel within Ireland and the UK 

Desirable

• Level 9 Environmental Science / Environmental Engineering Degree or equivalent 
• Experience of consenting energy projects in the UK
• Experience of environmental regulatory requirements in the UK
• Project management qualification  
• Chartered Status