Home / Become a Planner / Job Opportunities / Chief Planning Officer – An Coimisiún Pleanala Chief Planning Commissioner, An Coimisiún Pleanála Job summary: The person appointed as Chief Planning Commissioner will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and will lead the Planning Commissioners and will be responsible for overseeing and directing the day-to-day performance of the Planning Commissioners to ensure they deliver robust, legally sound high-quality timely decisions on all case work i.e. planning appeals, direct applications and other case types in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area in question. Main Duties of the Job: The position of Chief Planning Commissioner is a full-time executive appointment for a 5-year term of office, as provided for in section 510 of the Planning and Development Act 2024. The Chief Planning Commissioner will be appointed by the Governing Board following a competitive process. This is an independent role leading the Deputy Planning Commissioner and ordinary Planning Commissioners to perform their functions of the Commission under the 2024 Act with direct responsibility for the efficient organisation, oversight and discharge of the day-to-day decision-making process at Commissioner level. This is particularly so in the context of the ten-year National Development Plan 2021-2030 which envisages a number of strategically important infrastructural projects which will come before the Commission for consideration of planning approval in the years ahead. A primary element of the role involves ensuring the delivery of high-quality independent planning decisions on appeals and applications in accordance with statutory time objectives with a clear focus on service delivery, managing the work of the Commissioners in this regard. The Chief Planning Commissioner is required to: ensure the efficient performance by the Planning Commissioners of their functions. participate and make decisions on case work as per procedures. be independent in the performance of their functions under the 2024 Act or any other enactment. consult with the Chief Executive Officer in preparing decision making procedures to be approved by the Governing Board under section 503 which are to be followed by the Planning Commissioners (and inspectors) when performing their functions. These procedures may include any procedure the Governing Board, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, considers necessary for the efficient performance by the Planning Commissioners (and inspectors) of their functions or for the effectiveness of decision-making by the Planning Commissioner. report to the Chief Executive Officer and attend Governing Board meetings when required. is responsible for monitoring and reviewing performance of the Deputy Planning Commissioner and Planning Commissioners as required in line with Performance Management through Development and Support systems (PMDS). carry out the quasi-judicial function of An Coimisiún Pleanála in such a fashion as to ensure overall public confidence in the planning system and ensure that such decisions are proper, fair and open and are also sufficiently robust to stand up to legal challenge. For a full list of requirements please refer to the candidate information booklet. Information about the organisation: An Coimisiún Pleanála plays a critical role in the Irish planning system and has a quasi-judicial role in deciding appeals of planning decisions made by local authorities, direct applications for strategic infrastructure and other categories of development. Its mandate is to provide robust planning decisions in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area within specified/mandatory timelines whilst having regard to the principles of transparency, impartiality and independence. Benefits: See information Booklet Selection Process Details: The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 3pm on Thursday 23rd October 2025. If you feel you would benefit from a confidential discussion about any aspect of this significant opportunity, please contact Ms. Niamh McGuinness by email at [email protected] For more information and to apply, visit: http://bit.ly/IPI_Ad_CPC We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.