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Senior Spatial Planning Specialist

 
Vacancy Number:  28060
Category:  Engineering - Planning / Environmental
Job Type:  Full-time
 

ESB Engineering and Major Projects (EMP) is seeking a Senior Spatial Planning Specialist to join us on our journey to a Brighter Future as ESB delivers on its Net Zero 2040 strategy, with the key objective of delivering resilient infrastructure. The primary responsibility of the role is to lead planning strategy for new and existing electricity generation and related infrastructure within the Planning & Environmental Group of Generation Engineering. 

The Group primarily specialises in supporting ESB Generation and Trading (GT) in the development and operation of ESB assets throughout Ireland and the UK.  As such this is a key role in helping ESB realise its ambitions to decarbonise the existing generation portfolio and develop new assets and provide planning and environmental compliance assurance throughout.  

 

Key Responsibilities 

  • Provide strategic planning expertise related to the development of established and emerging generation technology for GT onshore and offshore projects, programmes and portfolios in Ireland and for GT onshore projects in the UK; 
  • Provide expert guidance to GT & EMP in response to public / industry consultations and support GT/ESB, as required, in engagements with government bodies, industry working groups etc.; 
  • Maintain active involvement in relevant industry working groups and maintain expert knowledge of planning, consenting and related legislation and legal judgements and advise on same to inform GT planning & consenting strategy;
  • Manage the delivery of the planning process for the pipeline of GT infrastructure projects for both new and existing generation and related assets and perform planning related due diligence for generation asset acquisitions;
  • Procure and manage external consultants and co-ordinate technical inputs to planning documentation and processes;
  • Maintain focus on the challenges large energy projects are experiencing in the Irish and UK planning systems and provide expert guidance on how GT/ESB can capture and respond to these challenges. 
 

Experience and Qualifications 

Essential  

  • Minimum 10 years of relevant spatial planning experience on large-scale complex infrastructure projects 
  • Level 8 Town/Spatial Planning Degree or equivalent 
  • Experience in the delivery of large-scale projects through both the standard planning process and Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) process (Ireland) 
  • Experience in stakeholder engagement with relevant planning & consenting regulatory authorities  
  • Be a corporate member of the Irish Planning Institute (or similar organisation e.g. the Royal Town Planning Institute) 
  • Thorough understanding and knowledge of prevailing and impending Irish, EU and UK planning legislation 
  • Excellent communications, influencing, reporting and presentation skills  
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and teamwork skills  
  • Full driver’s license and flexibility to travel nationwide  

 

Desirable  

  • Level 9 Town/Spatial Planning Degree or equivalent 
  • Experience as an expert witness at Oral Hearings/court cases 
  • Project management qualification  
  • Safepass or similar health and safety credentials 

 

Location  

This position will be based in EMP’s Offices in Dublin or Cork but may require travel in the course of general duties.  

ESB is committed to smart working – combining digital tools with a culture of trust and empowerment to enable flexible ways of working. The successful candidate may work flexibly within their jurisdiction with attendance at the workplace for in-person collaboration on at least one anchor day per week. All smart working arrangements are subject to manager approval and ongoing review, based on the operational requirements of the role, the team, and the individual.  

 

Reporting To 

Planning and Environmental Group Manager, Generation Engineering. 

 

Why Work with Us? 

  • Opportunity to lead Ireland’s transition to net zero carbon future 
  • Career development through mentoring and training  
  • Corporate Social Responsibility Opportunities 
  • Sports and Social Clubs 
  • Networking opportunities 
  • Credit Union 
  • Generous Pension 
  • 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 

 

Salary 

€86,000 - €101,000 per annum


Closing Date 

10th March 2026

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, recruitment@esb.ie.  

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.
 

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