Job Details

Principal Licensing Officer

Bromsgrove District Council & Redditch Borough Council
Worcestershire Regulatory Services
Grade: 9

The Role

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Licensing Officer to join Worcestershire Regulatory Services, working on behalf of Bromsgrove District Council and Redditch Borough Council.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced licensing professional with strong enforcement, regulatory and team management experience to take on a senior supervisory position within a busy local authority service.

Reporting to the Licensing and Support Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management, supervision and performance of a team of professional licensing officers, ensuring the effective delivery of licensing services and statutory responsibilities.

You will play a key role in overseeing licensing enforcement, complex investigations, inspections and regulatory compliance, while providing specialist technical advice to businesses, members of the public, elected members and partner organisations.

This role would suit an experienced Senior Licensing Officer, Licensing Team Leader or Licensing Manager looking to take on greater responsibility for service delivery, staff management and technical leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Management

• Lead, supervise and coordinate the day-to-day activities of a team of professional licensing officers.
• Allocate workloads, delegate responsibilities and monitor team performance to ensure service objectives and deadlines are achieved.
• Manage staff attendance, sickness monitoring, annual leave, performance reviews and one-to-one meetings.
• Support the development, training and professional development of team members.
• Ensure the team has the appropriate knowledge, skills and resources to deliver an effective licensing service.
• Deputise for the Licensing and Support Manager when required, attending management meetings and representing the service.

Licensing Enforcement & Regulatory Compliance

• Oversee the enforcement of relevant licensing legislation, ensuring businesses and licence holders comply with statutory requirements.
• Supervise and undertake inspections of licensed premises and businesses.
• Manage and oversee complex licensing investigations, complaints and compliance matters.
• Review enforcement cases and make recommendations regarding appropriate enforcement action and potential legal proceedings.
• Ensure investigations and enforcement activities are carried out in accordance with legislation, council policies and agreed procedures.
• Promote an intelligence-led approach to enforcement and the effective allocation of resources.

Licensing Applications & Technical Advice

• Provide specialist technical advice and guidance on licensing legislation, procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Assess applications for Premises Licences and advise whether objections should be raised on relevant statutory grounds.
• Support the Licensing and Support Manager in their responsibilities under the Licensing Act.
• Advise businesses, members of the public, elected members and partner agencies on licensing matters.
• Ensure licensing legislation, case law and statutory guidance are interpreted correctly and applied consistently.
• Monitor legislative changes and ensure operational staff are updated and relevant service procedures are amended.

Legal Proceedings & Committee Work

• Lead the preparation of reports for council committees, elected members and other relevant audiences.
• Attend and present reports at licensing committee meetings when required.
• Prepare and oversee evidence gathering for legal proceedings, public inquiries and court cases.
• Attend court and public inquiries where required.
• Scrutinise enforcement cases and make formal recommendations to the Licensing and Support Manager regarding the instigation of legal proceedings.
• Ensure all investigative processes and enforcement decisions are legally sound and supported by appropriate evidence.

Service Development & Partnership Working

• Assist with the development and implementation of service plans, policies and operational procedures.
• Identify opportunities to improve licensing service delivery, efficiency and customer experience.
• Analyse complex reports, performance information and statistical data to identify trends and recommend improvements.
• Work collaboratively with police, partner councils, external agencies and other stakeholders.
• Represent Worcestershire Regulatory Services at partnership meetings and support joint initiatives.
• Ensure licensing fees are collected promptly, particularly in relation to Premises Licences.

Essential Experience & Qualifications

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• Significant experience working in a licensing enforcement or regulatory role.
• Previous supervisory or management experience, including leading teams, delegating work and managing performance.
• Experience undertaking and overseeing complex licensing investigations.
• In-depth and up-to-date knowledge of licensing legislation, procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Experience interpreting legislation and applying legal provisions to licensing and enforcement matters.
• Understanding of local authority procedures, council committee processes and stakeholder relationships.
• Experience preparing reports, gathering evidence and supporting legal proceedings.
• A relevant professional qualification.
• A relevant management qualification or NVQ in team leading or managing people.
• Relevant licensing qualifications, including BIIAB Level 2 in Alcohol and Gambling Licensing, or equivalent qualifications and substantial relevant experience.

Essential Skills & Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong leadership, communication and people management skills.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and deliver against challenging deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and presenting to committees.
• The ability to analyse complex problems and interpret legislation accurately.
• Confidence dealing with difficult situations, conflict and challenging customers.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
• Political awareness and the ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
• A proactive approach to service improvement and managing change.
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively with colleagues and external partners.
• A commitment to continuing professional development and keeping up to date with licensing legislation.

Working Requirements

• Flexibility to undertake occasional work outside normal office hours.
• Availability for evening and weekend work when required.
• Participation in out-of-hours emergency arrangements when necessary.
• Ability to travel across the relevant districts and wider county as required.

Why Apply?

This is an excellent opportunity to take on a senior leadership position within a shared local authority regulatory service.

You will have the opportunity to lead and develop a professional licensing team, influence service delivery, oversee important enforcement activity and contribute to the protection of local communities and businesses.

If you are an experienced licensing professional with a background in enforcement, investigations and team leadership, we would be keen to hear from you.