Project Director, Onshore Renewables - Glasgow

ESB Asset Development is charged with delivery of the generation assets required to meet ESB’s strategic objective of achieving Net Zero operations by 2040. One key goal of the 2040 strategy is the de‑carbonisation of our existing generation assets. Key to this goal is development and delivery of ESB’s GB renewables portfolio, currently over 4GW of onshore and offshore wind developments. ESB Asset Development is seeking applications for the role of Project Director, Onshore Wind & Renewables, to be based in our Glasgow office. This is a broad-ranging and dynamic role. The successful applicant will be primarily responsible for the early phase development of onshore wind projects, and potentially other renewable technologies such as battery and solar, in Great Britain, with the main focus on Scotland. The role will entail working to deliver construction-ready projects both within ESB’s asset development team, and in collaboration with our external development partners. Co‑ordination of multi-disciplinary teams both internal and external to deliver planning consents and direct public inquiry responses will be a key feature of the role.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership and people management
• Provide clear project leadership and direction to a team of development Project Managers, including performance management, coaching, mentoring and professional development.
• Set and manage priorities, workloads and resourcing across the portfolio to ensure delivery against agreed programme milestones.
• Foster a culture of high performance, collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement within the project team.
• Act as a senior escalation point for project, stakeholder, programme and consenting risks.
• Lead the planning stage development of onshore wind projects from concept through to planning determination and construction ready handover.
• Maintain robust project governance, including risk and issue management, and regular reporting to senior stakeholders and steering groups.
• Oversee the development of project programmes and resource plans, ensuring alignment with ESB investment priorities, and risk appetite.

Planning, EIA and consenting

• Take overall accountability for the delivery of Environmental Impact Assessment Reports (EIAR) and associated environmental studies, ensuring high quality, compliant and defensible TCPA and Section 36 submissions in a timely manner.
• Oversee planning risk management, including preparation for appeals and mitigation of judicial review risk, working closely with legal advisers as required.
• Direct and manage external environmental, planning and technical consultants to ensure scope, programme, cost and quality objectives are met.
• Manage engagement with statutory consultees, planning authorities and consenting bodies throughout the application process.

Land and stakeholder management

• Ensure landowner negotiations, including options, leases and other development agreements, are in place by working with land agents and legal advisers.
• Provide senior leadership in external stakeholder engagement, including communities, local authorities, public exhibitions and industry bodies.
• Represent ESB as a credible and trusted senior developer in all external interactions.

Commercial, HSQE and assurance

• Oversee procurement and management of third‑party development partners, consultants and technical service providers.
• Maintain strong control of projects within development budgets and commercial arrangements.
• Ensure that Health, Safety, Quality and Environmental standards are embedded in all development activities.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Minimum 7 years’ experience leading the planning stage development of onshore wind farms in Scotland.
• Demonstrable depth of experience in leading and managing project management team for onshore wind development, including programme, risk, budget and governance control.
• Excellent knowledge of EIA production for TCPA and Section 36 consenting processes, relevant planning policy and regulatory frameworks.
• Proven understanding of planning application and appeals processes, including public inquiry and judicial review, including how to manage and mitigate consenting risk.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels.
• Strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to set development strategy and manage complex risk profiles.
• Good knowledge of MS Office software suite.
• Full clean UK driving licence.
• Good understanding of development land rights, option and lease arrangements.
• Experience of landowner negotiations and development land agreements.
• Experience of planning systems in England and Wales beneficial.

Qualifications

• 3rd level qualification, SCQF Level 9 or equivalent (Engineering, Construction, Architectural, Ecology, Surveying, Geography or Planning related discipline desirable) or equivalent work experience is required.

Location

This is a hybrid role, working both from home and ESB office. The successful candidate will be based at the ESB office in Glasgow and will be expected to travel within Great Britain as required, such as for field work and meetings. Travel to ESB Head Office Dublin will also be a requirement of the role. 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 two anchor days 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 Regional Manager Scotland, Asset Development, Generation & Trading.

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.
• 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.

Closing Date 29th May 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.