Principal Environmental Planner, Republic of Ireland

About Lightsource bp

Lightsourceource bp is a global leader in the development and management of solar energy projects. We are a 50:50 joint venture with bp with a mission to help drive the world’stransition to low carbon energy. With solar set to increase tenfold in the next 20 years, we are well-positioned to capitalize on this growth.

By joining the Lightsource bp team, you will ‘be the change’ onthe world’s energy transition to a more sustainable future.  We pride ourselves on our entrepreneurial spirit as we continue to push the boundaries of an ever-changing energy landscape. By choosing a career with us, you can expect a challenging and fulfilling role surrounded by people who are passionate and have brilliant ideas about sustainable technology, innovation and making the world a better place

What you’ll do (the role)

Summary

We are looking for a motivated Principal Planner who is keen to work client side in the renewable energy industry in Lightsource bp’s in-house Environmental Planning Team. You will lead on all aspect of a project’s life cycle, from initial site selection, planning application preparation, local authority liaison, stakeholder engagement, pre and post construction work. We encourage close collaboration across teams, including business development, design, construction, asset management and structured finance.

You will also be part of the wider global environmental planning community at Lightsource bp, with the opportunity to get involved in company level initiatives that interest you. This is a home-based role in Republic of Ireland with frequent travel required.

Duties and responsibilities

• Providing expert planning advice to inform decision-making planning constraints for site selection including desktop assessments, use of GIS tools and site visits
• Managing all pre-planning engagements with relevant planning authorities, including An Bord Pleanála
• Managing the planning application process, including: project managing external consultant teams; reviewing and signing off content; collaborating with the internal Business Development, Design and Construction teams to define project design and detail, ensuring these respond to planning, environmental and community challenges and concerns.
• Reporting on planning progress and risks.
• Leading on stakeholder engagement for your projects – including running virtual and in person community engagement sessions, building relationships with case officers, Councilors and other key stakeholders.
• Undertaking handovers to Construction and Asset Management, to ensure planning, environmental and social obligations during construction and operation are clearly detailed and understood
• Undertaking post-construction planning compliance assessments (work completion snagging list)
• Undertaking due diligence for potential M&A targets and reviewing warranties on project and asset divestments
• Mentoring junior staff and providing input into Team and Department strategy
• Developing strong relationships with internal team members and being involved in maintaining relationships with key external stakeholders

Who we’re looking for

Knowledge

• Comprehensive working knowledge of the Irish planning system

Experience & Education

• Extensive experience in planning (10+ years)
• Experience in ground mount solar PV preferrable, or other renewables energy/infrastructure projects.
• Degree level planning qualification required.
• IPI or MRTPI
• Fluent English essential

Why you’ll make a great member of the team

Work & General skills

• Excellent project management and communication skills with experience working with multi-disciplinary project teams.
• Driven with a hands-on, proactive approach to business, solutions focused, and the ability to be flexible and adapt rapidly.

Why you’ll want to work for us

Our company is a place where you can be yourself and grow; a place where your ideas and opinions matter.

Be you

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive community, where every individual is valued and treated with respect.

Be responsible

Our culture is driven by our core values. From operating safely to ensuring our solar projects are responsible and promote biodiversity. 

Be recognized

Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a variety of benefits including annual bonus, retention bank, health insurance, pension and other local benefits.

Be inspired

Beyond your day-to-day working life at Lightsource bp, there’s a variety of initiatives that will contribute to your own personal development. Initiatives to get involved with including our charitable causes, supporting our solar honey project or our sustainability initiatives.

Our Core Values

Lightsource bp truly cares about creating a sustainable future through safe, responsible and meaningful low carbon energy projects. Our core values of Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability and Drive are the guiding principles for everything we do. 

What we offer

• Attractive Base Salary 
• Up to 30% Annual Bonus 
• Long Term Incentive Plan consisting on a retention reward structure.
• Private Medical Insurance
• Healthy Minds Programme
• Company contribution to a Group Personal Pension (GPP).
• Remote working with flexible working arrangement
• 25 days of annual leave, increasing by 1 day for every year of employment to a maximum of 28 days

And... An exciting, and a busy pipeline of projects, in a growth environment that will contribute to your professional development. 

https://www.lightsourcebp.com/careers/