Principal Licensing Officer – Horsham District Council

Horsham District Council is seeking an experienced, conscientious and motivated Principal Licensing Officer to join our Licensing Team and deliver a high standard of service. This is a senior role where your regulatory knowledge, leadership and judgement will shape how we support local businesses and protect the safety of our residents and visitors.

As the Principal Officer you’ll oversee a small team of Licensing Officers and Administrators who deliver a variety of licensing functions on behalf of the council to the whole of the Horsham district. The role oversees the regulatory processes underpinning licensing activities including alcohol, hackney carriage, private hire, gaming, street trading, scrap metal, pavement (table and chairs) licensing and other adhoc specialisms under the remit of the service. You will have proven supervisory skills and the ability to motivate and lead a team. Additionally, you’ll be an excellent communicator and have outstanding attention to detail.

Key responsibilities of the role will include but not be limited to:

• Managing the day‑to‑day running of the licensing service including a team of officers and administrative support staff, ensuring all activities are carried out appropriately and within policy and legislation requirements.
• Ensure the proper processing and determination of applications for various licenses, permits, registrations etc including consultations with appropriate partner agencies and authorities.
• Act as the Council’s specialist providing a wide range of technical and comprehensive advice and guidance to the council, senior management and external organisations on licensing and enforcement issues.
• Oversee the inspection of premises and vehicles, ensuring this is carried out in accordance with legislation requirements and internal processes.
• Direct, investigate and actively initiate enforcement action as appropriate and where required.
• Review, develop and implement appropriate working methods and processing for the licensing team, including implementing agreed Action, Business and Services Plans.
• Be a member of the departmental Management Team, assisting with Head of Environmental Health and Licensing in the overall management of the department including the setting and monitoring of targets and objectives for the department.

The role will be based within the wider Environmental Health Department, in modern office accommodation Horsham, West Sussex within easy reach of a range of direct railway and road links. Owing to the front‑line nature of the work, we operate a flexible working arrangement where officers can work from home for part of the week. However, it will be a requirement for you to work from our offices on a regular and frequent basis based on service delivery needs. Some out of hours working will also be necessary, which may include evenings and late night working on occasion.

About you

To succeed as a Principal Licensing Officer, you’ll be detail‑oriented and thorough in your approach to work. You’ll have proven experience and knowledge of working in a Licensing function with the ability to interpret applications against national guidance and judge accordingly. You’ll be able to lead on complex and technical licensing matters, be a key representative of the service, be able to work in partnership and engage with internal and external stakeholders, actively participate in the Safety Advisory Group (SAG) process and prepare for and present at licensing committee hearings and training seminars. You will need to have excellent organisational and interpersonal skills with a sound grasp of IT. Your ability to problem‑solve, adapt to competing priorities and confidentiality are also of high importance.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and disciplines, but preference will be given to experienced individuals with full licensing professional working practice, licensing practitioner qualifications and relevant specialisms within the said field.

If you would like to apply for the role, please submit an online application form located on our Vacancy Page. Internal applicants, if you would like to apply for the role, please submit an expression of interest to HR@horsham.gov.uk explaining clearly how you meet the criteria and what you feel you can bring to the role.