Town Planner

Role overview

Nicholas O’Dwyer is seeking a Town Planner to join its Environment & Planning team. The business places sustainability at the centre of its work and has a long history of delivering socially responsible, technically strong solutions across infrastructure, engineering, environment and planning. This position is suited to a driven planner who wants to build their career within a respected consultancy working on major infrastructure schemes.

The role sits within a growing planning function in Dublin and supports a varied portfolio of projects across water services, renewables, ports and harbours, aviation, flood risk, and climate resilience. The successful candidate will report to a Lead Planner and work in a collaborative, flexible environment alongside multidisciplinary teams and clients.

About the employer

Nicholas O’Dwyer has over 90 years of experience and operates from Ireland with work across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The company provides professional services in engineering design, project management, environment and planning, construction supervision, and technical and contract advisory. It is part of the RSK Group, a large global network of more than 200 companies and over 17,000 employees, while retaining its own brand and autonomy.

The organisation’s wider purpose is to deliver sustainable solutions that support communities and create lasting positive change. It values innovation, collaboration, diversity, and career development, and aims to provide employees with challenging and rewarding work in a supportive culture.

What you will do

• Manage and coordinate planning applications, including local authority and strategic infrastructure development submissions, pre-planning meetings, responses to requests for further information, planning appeals, third-party appeal responses, and compliance submissions.
• Oversee Environmental Impact Assessment Reports, Strategic Environmental Assessments, planning reports, and related environmental documentation as required.
• Assess Appropriate Assessments, including screening reports and Natura Impact Statements.
• Develop practical planning and development strategies for infrastructure projects.
• Work with statutory and non-statutory stakeholders, local authorities, public agencies, and An Coimisiún Pleanála.
• Coordinate sub-consultants and subcontractors involved in surveys and specialist technical studies.
• Advise internal engineers and clients on planning matters.
• Contribute technical input to environmental assessment work, including research, data gathering, analysis, and evaluation.
• Support preparation of tender submissions.
• Build strong relationships with clients and attend meetings with clients and design teams where needed.

Experience and qualifications

• At least 3 years of post-qualification experience in consultancy or the public sector.
• Full professional body membership or active progress toward chartership, such as IPI or RTPI.
• Strong understanding of planning legislation, policy, and guidance in Ireland.
• Proven record of helping clients achieve positive planning outcomes.
• Background in developing planning and development strategies for infrastructure work.
• Experience preparing and submitting planning applications, including checking drawings for validation requirements.
• Ability to read and interpret environmental reports and associated data.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail, organisation, and coordination ability.
• Comfort working to demanding deadlines.
• Positive, enthusiastic, self-driven, practical, and solutions-focused approach.
• Flexibility and willingness to contribute within a wider multidisciplinary team.

Additional information

This opportunity is based in Cork, County Cork, Ireland, and is a full-time, onsite role. It is part of an expanding environmental and planning function driven by increased project demand. The organisation emphasises sustainability, inclusion, ongoing development, and a people-first culture. If you are motivated by meaningful infrastructure work and want to grow within a respected consultancy, this role offers the chance to do so.

Who this role suits

This position is ideal for a planner who enjoys complex infrastructure projects, stakeholder engagement, technical coordination, and working across environmental and planning disciplines. It will suit someone looking for responsibility, professional growth, and the opportunity to contribute to projects that support sustainable development.