At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead planning for large-scale renewable energy projects across the UK and Ireland.
- Company: Join Elgin, a leader in renewable energy development and innovation.
- Benefits: 12-month contract with opportunities for growth and travel.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on sustainability and excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the renewable energy sector while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Postgraduate qualification in Planning or relevant experience required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Can you play a key role in delivering a growing portfolio of renewable energy projects?
Location: Dublin or London (Periodic travel in Ireland and the UK will be required.)
Contract Type: 12-month fixed-term
We are looking for a Senior Planning Manager to lead and manage planning-related activities for large-scale Solar PV, BESS, and co-located projects across the UK and Ireland. The role is responsible for overseeing the full project lifecycle, from early-stage feasibility and permitting through to construction and transition into operations, ensuring projects are progressed efficiently and in line with planning requirements.
What you will do:
- Planning Strategy & Application Review: Review and work with consultants to prepare planning applications prior to submission. Work closely with the Development team to identify risks, address gaps, and anticipate potential planning challenges across the project life cycle.
- Planning Conditions Management: Lead the management of pre- and post-commencement planning conditions, including the discharge of conditions, preservation of existing consents, and coordination of amendment applications where required. Provide ongoing advice on planning matters as they arise.
- Planning Process Leadership: Guide internal teams and external consultants through complex planning processes, including appeals and public consultations. Develop and execute planning strategies that maximise the likelihood of securing consent while minimising programme and delivery risk.
- Stakeholder & Authority Engagement: Liaise with design teams, County Councils, An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP), relevant state bodies, and key stakeholders. Ensure timely progression of projects and alignment with regulatory expectations.
- Representation & Advocacy: Represent Elgin at planning committees, appeals, hearings, and public inquiries, as required. Effectively communicate project value and planning rationale.
- Consultant Management: Manage relationships with external planning consultants, acting as the primary point of contact. Ensure clear alignment on project objectives, timelines, commercial priorities, and delivery expectations.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Development, Legal, Grid, Engineering, Construction, and Operations teams, as well as external advisors. Ensure coordinated and high-quality planning submissions across all disciplines.
- Compliance & Best Practice: Ensure full compliance with planning legislation, environmental regulations, and industry best practices across all projects.
Your profile - What you will need:
- A postgraduate qualification in Planning or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
- Significant experience in planning processes within Ireland and the UK.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with a proactive, solution-oriented approach to problem solving.
- Commercially aware, with a structured and process-driven mindset.
- Proven ability to manage and influence multiple stakeholders effectively.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and report-writing capabilities, with the ability to engage across disciplines.
- Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage competing deadlines.
- Highly self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and drive outcomes.
- Proficiency in MS Office, including Excel and MS Project.
- Strong focus on prioritisation, deadline management, communication, and organisational excellence.
About Us:
Elgin is a fully integrated, utility-scale solar and storage Independent Power Producer, developing, building, owning and operating renewable energy assets across the UK, Ireland, Germany and Italy. With a 10GW+ pipeline spanning solar, co-located, and standalone storage projects, Elgin brings projects from origination through development to energisation and long-term operation. The company has delivered over 1GW of ready-to-build projects, with more than 200MW currently under construction across the UK and Ireland. Elgin is backed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), which acquired a majority stake in 2024, supporting the company’s long-term growth and ambition to scale. Founded in 2009, Elgin operates from offices in Dublin, London, Ulm and Rome, with a team of over 100 professionals driving the delivery of large-scale renewable energy projects.
Senior Planning Manager in London employer: Elgin
Elgin is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritises agility, integrity, and excellence. With a strong focus on renewable energy projects, employees benefit from opportunities for professional growth and collaboration across diverse teams in vibrant locations like Dublin and London. The company fosters a culture of care, ensuring that every team member feels valued while contributing to impactful projects that shape the future of energy.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Planning Manager in London
✨Get Plugged into Local Energy Events
Dive into energy and utilities-specific events in your area, like community workshops or regional renewable energy fairs. These gatherings are perfect for meeting industry insiders and gaining insights that can boost your chances when you chat with Elgin.
✨Summer Opportunities Await!
Temporary roles in the energy sector often peak during summer or peak project periods. Keep your eyes open for advertised roles on sites like indeed.co.uk, but also consider reaching out directly to companies like Elgin to ask about upcoming opportunities.
✨Show Your Passion for Sustainability
Craft a brief personal statement about why renewable energy matters to you, and be ready to share it in any interviews or conversations. This can help you stand out as someone who genuinely cares about the sector, a quality that can be golden for temporary roles.
✨Utilise Job Boards Specific to Energy
Check out job boards that focus on the energy sector, like Energy Jobline or RenewableEnergyJobs. These platforms are tailored to our industry, and you'll find temporary roles that may not be listed elsewhere, bringing you one step closer to landing that role at Elgin.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Planning Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Energy Sector Know-How:When you're applying for a temporary role in the energy and utilities sector, it’s crucial to showcase any relevant experience or knowledge you have. Highlight specific projects or coursework that demonstrate your understanding of energy systems, sustainability, or utilities management. This way, we can see you’re not just a candidate – you’re someone who knows the territory!
Certifications Matter!:If you've got any certifications related to energy management or renewable energy techniques, be sure to mention them! These are not just nice-to-haves but can really set you apart from other candidates. We’d love to see that commitment to the field reflected in your application. If you’ve got any safety training relevant to utilities, make it known!
Flexibility is Key for Temporary Roles:In your application, emphasise your availability and willingness to adapt to different roles or shifts. Since this is a temporary position, showing that you can hit the ground running and adjust to the needs of the team will make you a more attractive candidate to Elgin.
Tailor Your CV to Shine:Ditch the one-size-fits-all CV approach! Tailor your CV specifically for the temporary role at Elgin by emphasising skills that align with the job requirements. Be concise, but don’t forget to sprinkle in specific examples related to energy and utilities to make your application stand out. Remember, a well-customised CV speaks volumes!
How to prepare for a job interview at Elgin
✨Show Your Passion for Sustainability
In the energy-utilities sector, it's key to highlight your commitment to sustainable practices and innovative solutions. Be ready to share examples of how you've engaged with energy efficiency projects or how you stay updated on industry trends. This shows that you're not just looking for a job, but genuinely care about making an impact.
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
Temporary roles in energy-utilities often require specific technical knowledge related to energy systems, regulations, and emerging technologies. Make sure you’re familiar with tools like energy management software or simulations. You might get asked technical questions on how to optimise energy use or manage resources efficiently.
✨Flexibility is Key
Since this is a temporary position, the interviewer will likely want to know how quickly you can adapt to new environments and teams. Be prepared to discuss previous experiences where you had to learn on the job or take on new responsibilities swiftly. Highlighting your flexibility will show you're a great fit for short-term projects.
✨Demonstrate Your Teamwork Skills
In the energy-utilities sector, collaboration is essential. Come armed with examples that illustrate how well you work within a team — whether it’s during a challenging project or a routine operation. Temporary roles often involve stepping into existing teams, so showcasing your ability to integrate smoothly will set you apart.
