Senior Executive Planner – Galway County Council

Job summary

This is a great opportunity to work in Galway County Council at a time of transformation and innovation. Managers at this level work within defined parameters relevant to the position, in accordance with the Local Authority’s vision and objectives as set out in its Corporate Plan

This position is a senior position within the Council reporting to the Senior Planner and Director and/or other employee nominated by the Chief Executive. The Senior Executive Planner is responsible for managing elements of the Planning Authority and providing a multiplicity of services to Local Authorities.

Local authorities serve as vibrant and innovative Planning Authorities at the heart of delivering Project Ireland 2040. The role of Senior Executive Planner in a local authority is an excellent opportunity to engage with the active delivery of strategic policy across Development Management, Forward Planning and Project Delivery and contribute to a multi-disciplinary approach to Climate Action and Sustainable Transport.

The Senior Executive Planner will be required to work closely with the Senior Management Team and Elected Members to deliver the full range of services, implement local policy decisions and deliver on strategic corporate objectives and in accordance with the general policy direction of the elected council.

Main Duties of the Job

A full list of essential requirements is available in the Information Booklet.

Information about the organisation

Galway County Council is responsible for the administrative area of County Galway, excluding Galway City. The Council is responsible for the planning, design and construction of roads, drainage facilities, housing, fire stations, libraries and burial grounds. Galway County Council is the custodian of the environment and through its planning and environment policies seeks to enhance the county while protecting its unique character and atmosphere. It also plays an active role in the development of the county’s industrial, economic, business, social, arts, heritage and cultural affairs. In accordance with the Irish system of local government, which encompasses both democratic representation and public administration, Galway County Council as a local authority performs both a representational and operational role. The representational role of Galway County Council is performed directly by the elected members of the Council. In accordance with the Local Government Reform Act 2014, a new system of Municipal Districts came into effect from 1 June 2014, following the local elections on 23rd May 2014 which increased the number of Councillors from thirty to thirty-nine and these were elected for the five local Electoral Areas

County Galway is the second largest County in Ireland having an area of almost 6,149 square kilometres, with a coastline stretching to almost 2,000 kilometres. County Galway has the largest Gaeltacht population in Ireland. The population of the Gaeltacht area in Galway County has the largest proportion of daily Irish speakers at 29 per cent.

The county borders five other counties and has a rich and diverse built, natural and cultural heritage. It also has four main inhabited islands, Inis Móir, Inis Óirr, Inis Meáin and Inisbofin. Galway County Council is the local authority for the County of Galway serving a population of 192,995 (based on Census 2022). The population of the towns and villages within the county are diverse and varied. The geographical spread and extent of the county extends to Clifden on the west coast, acting as an important commercial, tourism, economic and retail centre for the County and Ballinasloe acts as an economic engine in the east of the county.  Tuam is the largest town to the North of the county and Portumna and Gort are located to the south, all serve as catalyst for development within their areas.