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Project Director, Onshore Renewables - Glasgow Vacancy Number: 28443
Category: Engineering - Other
Job Type: Full-time
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 The is a role 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 day 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 tonet zero carbon future
Career developmentthrough mentoring andtraining
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
Notes Your application will be held in reserve for 6 months should you be suitable for the role.
The successful candidate will be required to evidence their right to work in the
>>> prior to commencement of employment.
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.
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