Job Description

Overview

We are seeking an Associate Director Level Planner (Dublin) to join our growing Environment team with AtkinsRéalis. We are one of the world’s leading providers of engineering professional consulting and support services with offices across Ireland. This is an exceptional opportunity to work with a major multidisciplinary engineering consultancy that specialises in aviation, water, energy and transportation infrastructure across Ireland.

Your experience will be vital in overseeing the preparation, coordination, and delivery of diverse planning applications, development plans, masterplans, and planning policy reports. You will provide strategic planning leadership on complex, high-impact infrastructure and renewable energy projects across Ireland. You will challenge the status quo, anticipate regulatory and market changes, and translate them into best practices that improve service quality and project outcomes. You will be at the forefront of expanding our presence in Ireland and directly influencing the future infrastructure and transportation landscape.

Your role

Provide strategic direction and expert planning guidance on complex planning matters.
Proactively identify and pursue new business opportunities across the planning and development sector.
Act as a primary client liaison for planning requirements, ensuring that projects meet the client’s requirements and timelines as well as any regulatory requirements.
Improve consenting strategy and reduce program risk for clients.
Drive business growth in the energy / renewables / rail markets/ transport /port developments via. preparing competitive bids and developing strong client relationships.
Anticipate business and regulatory developments (planning law, energy policy, marine consenting) and propose process/service improvements.
Lead planning services for strategic infrastructure and renewable energy projects, ensuring project programs are effectively managed.
Lead Part 10 applications and manage Marine Area Consents (MAC) and Marine Usage Licenses for marine projects.
Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams and engage with stakeholders to deliver successful project outcomes.
Mentor and develop Junior Planners and early-career professionals—setting high standards, providing structured feedback, and supporting chartership pathways.
Maintain up to date knowledge of planning and energy policies and best practices in Ireland.
Build and maintain strong relationships, engaging effectively with public and private sector clients, local authorities, developers, and community stakeholders.
Advocate for excellence, ensuring compliance with national and regional planning legislation, guidelines, and procedures.
Provide leadership on highly visible initiatives, representing AtkinsRéalis at industry forums and professional panels.

About you

Excellent working knowledge of Irelands planning legislation and regulatory requirements.
Provide strategic planning advice to clients and internal teams across multiple sectors.
Strong business development acumen: pipeline creation, bid leadership, and client relationship management.
Supervise and mentor junior planners, supporting their technical and professional development.
Experience contributing to the preparation of proposals and tenders, securing major infrastructure and transportation projects.
Lead the preparation, coordination, and review of complex planning applications and EIARs.
Proven experience in Strategic Development Masterplan, Planning and Sustainable Development.
Experience in presenting evidence at An Coimisiún Pleanála oral hearings and planning evidence in court.
Excellent working knowledge of Irish planning legislation and regulatory requirements, including Marine Area Consents and Marine Usage Licenses.
Advanced leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills; able to solve unique and complex problems with conceptual and innovative thinking.
Strong leadership, interpersonal, communication, and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
Chartered Member of the Irish Planning Institute (IPI).
A full Irish driving license.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries and a brilliant range of health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle benefits. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture, international remote working opportunities, and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Be rewarded. Find out more.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.

Worker Type

Employee

Job Type

Regular

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.

Associate Director Planner

Benefits

Job Description