Senior Licensing Officer in Bristol

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a motivated and experienced licensing professional to join Bristol City Council in a Senior Licensing Officer role. This post is based within Regulatory Services, Growth and Regeneration and covers the full range of licensing functions that can be expected in a large, vibrant City environment like Bristol.

The role includes lead responsibility for specific areas of licensing law and policy including alcohol, entertainment, gambling, taxi and private hire, scrap metal and sex establishments. You will have excellent licensing knowledge and experience, and will be able to put your knowledge into practice providing effective advice to licensing committees, developing policies, and responding to complex queries from a variety of stakeholders.

We need someone who can confidently and effectively communicate with different audiences, and present reports and information, provide guidance, and manage team members to ensure delivery of the highest levels of customer service. This role is subject to a basic disclosure and barring service check.

At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high profile organisation. Join us and you’ll receive a generous rewards package including flexible working and flexi-time, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition you’ll be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.

If you share our values and are ready to be part of our exciting journey please select the apply button below. To be shortlisted for interview you’ll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application. On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your application.

We’re a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We’ll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.

If you have any further queries after reading the job advert along with the attached Job Description and Person Specification then please contact Abigail Holman, Licensing Manager at Abigail.holman@bristol.gov.uk

Interviews are expected to take place on: 30 April and 1 May 2026. Bristol City Council strives to have a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, we are therefore committed to ensuring diversity in our hiring process. We welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. We particularly welcome applications from Black and racially minoritised candidates who are currently under-represented within this Service of Bristol City Council. Appointments will be made on merit.

The personal information section (including your name) you’ll complete as part of the application form will not be visible to hiring managers, but is used confidentially to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.