3 Month Contract With A Local Authority
Job Purpose
The Licensing Manager is responsible for leading, managing, and developing the Councilâ s licensing service, ensuring the effective administration, regulation, and enforcement of statutory licensing functions. The role ensures the delivery of high-quality, customer-focused, and legally compliant licensing services that promote public safety, protect vulnerable individuals, support local businesses, and uphold the Councilâ s statutory responsibilities. The postholder will provide technical expertise on complex licensing matters, lead policy development, oversee enforcement activities, and manage service performance, budgets, and staff.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the Licensing Team, ensuring the effective delivery of all licensing functions and statutory responsibilities.
- Oversee the administration, regulation, and enforcement of licences, permits, consents, and registrations across a range of licensing regimes.
- Act as the lead specialist on complex licensing matters, providing expert advice to officers, elected members, businesses, and members of the public.
- Develop, review, and implement licensing policies and procedures in line with legislation, statutory guidance, and best practice.
- Manage service performance through the development and monitoring of objectives, service standards, and key performance indicators.
- Lead workforce development activities, ensuring staff are trained, supported, and equipped to deliver a professional and effective service.
- Drive service improvements, digital transformation initiatives, and modernisation of licensing processes.
- Manage budgets, income streams, licensing fees, and financial performance within the service area.
- Provide advice and guidance on licensing legislation, policy, and compliance requirements to stakeholders and partners.
- Plan, coordinate, and oversee enforcement activities, inspections, and investigations, including work undertaken outside normal office hours where required.
- Represent the Council in court proceedings, licensing hearings, and regulatory committee meetings as a professional witness.
- Prepare and present reports, recommendations, and evidence for Regulatory Committees, Sub-Committees, and other decision-making forums.
- Deliver training and guidance to elected members and committee representatives on licensing legislation and procedures.
- Develop and maintain effective partnerships with external agencies including the Police, Home Office, HMRC, Gambling Commission, responsible authorities, local businesses, and community stakeholders.
- Maintain accurate records, public registers, statutory returns, and responses to Freedom of Information requests in line with legal requirements.
- Monitor legislative developments and implement operational and policy changes to ensure ongoing compliance and service effectiveness.
Requirements
Essential
- Degree-level qualification, relevant professional qualification, or equivalent licensing expertise.
- Significant experience in licensing, regulatory services, or a related enforcement environment.
- Extensive knowledge of licensing legislation, policy, and guidance, including the Licensing Act 2003, Gambling Act 2005, taxi licensing, street trading, scrap metal licensing, and related statutory functions.
- Experience managing teams, service performance, and operational delivery.
- Experience developing, reviewing, and implementing licensing policies and procedures.
- Experience preparing committee reports, presenting evidence at hearings, and attending court proceedings.
- Experience managing budgets and financial performance.
- Strong leadership, people management, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Ability to interpret and apply complex legislation and regulatory guidance.
- Excellent communication, report writing, organisational, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work to deadlines.
- Commitment to continuous professional development.
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for business use.
- Ability to work flexibly, including attendance at evening meetings and occasional out-of-hours enforcement activities.
Desirable
- Experience using licensing management systems such as Lalpac.
- Experience delivering training to elected members, committees, or professional stakeholders.
- Experience leading service transformation, process improvement, or digital modernisation projects.
- Experience working within a local authority licensing environment.
Additional Information
- Hours: 37 hours per week.
- Location: Halton Borough Council offices and locations across the borough as required.
- Pay: Bi-weekly payments.
