Are you a seasoned licensing professional with leadership experience and a drive to make a tangible difference in regulatory standards? We are seeking a Principal Licensing Officer to lead and oversee the licensing team, ensuring effective regulation, enforcement, and compliance within the community. This is an opportunity to work in a senior role where your expertise will shape policies, enhance standards, and support safe, well-regulated environments for residents and businesses alike.

The role is hybrid with 2/3 days in office required.
 
The Role
·Provide strong leadership to the licensing team, setting objectives, managing workloads, and offering guidance to support team members in their regulatory duties.
·Oversee inspections, compliance checks, and enforcement actions for a range of licensing matters, including premises, events, and commercial vehicles, ensuring adherence to the Licensing Act 2003, Gambling Act 2005, and other applicable regulations.
·Handle complex licensing cases, make determinations on high-priority licensing applications, and ensure thorough investigations of complaints. Maintain accurate records and provide expert insight on escalated cases.
·Play a key role in shaping and implementing policies and procedures that align with legal standards and best practices, continuously improving the licensing service's effectiveness and customer experience.
·Serve as the primary point of contact for stakeholders, including community groups, businesses, law enforcement, and other regulatory bodies. Attend forums, represent the council at hearings, and build constructive relationships to enhance public understanding and trust in the licensing process.
·Prepare and present reports for council committees, attend licensing hearings, and represent the council in legal proceedings when necessary to uphold decisions and maintain regulatory integrity.
 
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be an experienced licensing professional with leadership abilities, strong regulatory knowledge, and a commitment to public safety and service improvement. Key qualifications and skills include:

·Extensive understanding of the Licensing Act 2003, Gambling Act 2005, and related legislation, with proven experience in regulatory compliance and enforcement.
·Strong leadership skills with experience managing, mentoring, and supporting a team of licensing officers. Able to delegate tasks, manage priorities, and foster professional growth within the team.
·Ability to make informed, sound decisions on complex cases, evaluate compliance issues, and create clear action plans for enforcement.
·Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with experience in engaging with diverse stakeholders. Capable of representing the council professionally at hearings, committee meetings, and community events.
·Proficient in managing multiple cases and projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks, and maintaining accuracy in records and reporting.
·Forward-thinking approach to problem-solving and service improvement, seeking to enhance policies, streamline processes, and improve community outcomes.
 
Additional Details
Candidates must have the right to work in the UK to be considered for this role.
 
What You Need to Do Now
If you are interested in this role and meet the criteria above, please send us your application today. If you have any questions about the vacancy, please click APPLY NOW.
 
If you do not hear from us within 48 hours of applying, your application has been unsuccessful.

 
Footnote
If you feel that this job matches your skills but not the rate, location, or seniority, please feel free to send us your CV anyway. We constantly recruit for similar roles across all levels, UK-wide, and would be pleased to speak with you confidentially about your employment status.
 
Even if you're currently satisfied in your role, we welcome calls from housing professionals looking to make future connections. Our specialist team at Carrington West has over 100 years of combined experience in this market. For more information, call Zubair at Carrington West on 02393 876065.
 
By applying for this position, you agree for Carrington West to hold and process your personal data in accordance with our Data Protection Policy. Your data will only be shared with third-party clients for roles relevant to your application. You may withdraw consent at any time by contacting us.