Planning & Consenting Manager

Job Description

We are Centrica! We’re so much more than an energy company. We’re a family of brands revolutionising a cleaner, greener future. Working here is #MoreThanACareer - we’re powered by purpose. Together we can make an impact that will truly change tomorrow. Whether you’re developing cutting-edge green tech, helping customers on the front line or simplifying operations behind the scenes.

Your work here isn’t just a job – it’s a mission. We all play a vital role in energising a greener, fairer future.

Planning & Consenting Manager

Reference: R0053807

Assets - Cork

Permanent

Reporting to: Head of Upstream

Bord Gáis Energy is one of Ireland’s leading energy and service companies. We supply gas, electricity, and energy services to over 700,000 homes and businesses across the country, offering excellent customer service as well as the best value possible. Bord Gáis Energy is uniquely positioned to drive positive change and we have an opportunity, as well as a responsibility, to reshape our future. While there are challenges ahead, we are committed to supporting our consumers and colleagues, to rethinking power generation, and to supporting an affordable and fair transition for all.

Role Purpose

The Planning and Consenting Manager To manage all planning issues and requirements in-house from the site strategies, through planning, construction and operation of thermal/renewable/storage/flexible demand assets.

Key Accountabilities

• Co-ordinating and guiding the Environmental Impact Assessments for new greenfield sites and developing possible solutions to risks and issues arising on projects.
• Preparing planning application submissions for developments to the relevant planning authorities.
• Managing the pre and post commencement planning conditions, typically consisting of discharging and reviewing planning items, preserving existing permissions, and advising on amendment planning applications as required. This includes managing and advising on all planning issues as they arise.
• Liaising with design teams, County Councils/ ABP, relevant state bodies and stakeholder to ensure projects are delivered and progressed in a timely manner
• Reviewing planning applications prior to submission. Liaising with and assisting the Development Team to address findings and foresee any potential planning issues that could arise during the Pre-Construction and Construction phases.
• Lead identification and purchase of strategic land to enable delivery of the BGE Asset Strategy
• Supporting the Head of Upstream. This is an excellent opportunity for the candidate to get exposure and experience of the entire development process.
• Supporting and advising the Commercial in funding and corporate sales transactions specifically the relation to planning elements.
• Providing planning support to the Delivery Team.
• Maintain a good working knowledge of key grid and regulatory developments for planning and consenting of upstream assets
• Lead planning and consenting applications for projects including thermal, renewable, storage assets and flexible demand
• Support site feasibility studies providing high level estimates of planning conditions
• Ensure planning delivery risks are minimized
• Preparation and presentation of business cases and plans to present to Executive, Management team, Board and Shareholder
• Work closely with a number of disciplines to deliver optimal solutions across external and internal resources including, Finance, Trading, Legal and Technical
• Work closely with other members of the Bord Gais Energy Upstream team in scoping, assessing projects to ensure compliance with any planning conditions

Role Components

Business Expertise

• Knowledge of planning and environmental consents process for large infrastructure projects requirement
• Manage and optimise planning and consent process at all stages from initial site selection, feasibility assessment and planning and consent application submission and assessment process
• Experience dealing with stakeholders on different sides of large scale infrastructure process connection process e.g. ABP/County Councils/EPAS
• Knowledge of generation projects an advantage
• Ability to work independently to deadlines, seeking guidance from other team members when required.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• A planning/environmental qualification to degree level – relevant experience in the wind / renewable energy industry an advantage.
• A minimum of 3+ years post qualification experience
• Experience of EIA and sound knowledge of Irish planning legislation, policy, and practices related to the energy sector.
• Excellent communication experience particularly in relation to dealing with stakeholders and third parties.
• Possess or working towards Chartered Status and membership in a relevant professional organization
• GIS experience desirable but not essential

In return, you’ll receive a competitive salary, generous annual leave allowance, and a host of other benefits, including volunteering days with our charity partner, Focus Ireland. You’ll also enjoy our friendly and collaborative culture, flexible ways of working, and you’ll be making a key contribution to Bord Gáis Energy’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

Bord Gáis Energy are committed to placing equality, diversity, care and respect at the heart of our policies and everyday practices. We encourage everyone to take part in our active employee networks, including the Women's network, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, & Cultural Heritage) network, Neurodiversity network, and BRÓD, our LGBTQ+ network. We're proud of the work our networks and allies do to help us promote a culture of inclusion, empowering our colleagues to be themselves and do their best work. Our vision is to employ a diverse mix of people who reflect the societies we work in and the customers we serve, so we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives.

Our Flexible First working model empowers our people to find a better balance between home and office working. You can enjoy the convenience of working from home combined with time spent onsite in a way that works for you, our customers, and our business. Our office is used as a place to connect and collaborate with colleagues, rather than your default place of work each day.

Here in Bord Gáis Energy we’re helping to create a more sustainable and inclusive future that supports our communities, our planet – and each other. The prevention of family homelessness in Ireland is an area where we believe we can make a real difference and through our partnership with Focus Ireland, we have been working on making this a reality since 2015. We encourage all colleagues to get involved in the partnership, with everyone receiving 2 days' volunteering leave to participate in initiatives or events supporting Focus Ireland.

Our Values

care | delivery | collaboration | agility | courage

The closing date for receipt of applications for this vacancy is 5th of April2024.

PLEASE APPLY ONLINE by hitting the 'Apply' button.

Applications will ONLY be accepted via the ‘Apply’ button.

This role is being handled by the Centrica recruitment team and NO agency contact is required.