Deputy Licensing Manager in London

Islington Council is looking for a Deputy Licensing Manager to play a key role in delivering our high-profile property licensing programme. This is an exciting opportunity to help create safer, higher-quality homes for residents while leading a dedicated team responsible for regulating the private rented sector. Working within the Residential Environmental Health Team, you will support the Licensing Manager in managing property licensing functions, ensuring applications are processed efficiently and consistently, and helping to tackle poor housing conditions and criminal landlord activity.

About the Role

• Support and deputise for the Licensing Manager.
• Manage and develop a team of Licensing Co-Ordinators, ensuring high performance and excellent customer service.
• Oversee the administration and regulation of HMO and selective licensing schemes.
• Make robust, legally defensible licensing decisions relating to applications, refusals, revocations, variations, and exemptions.
• Act as the team's specialist adviser on property licensing legislation, policies, procedures and IT systems.
• Respond to complex enquiries and complaints from landlords, tenants, managing agents and other stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with enforcement colleagues to identify and address licensing breaches.
• Support the development of reports, performance data, and future licensing schemes.
• Monitor team performance, attendance, training and development needs.

About You

We are seeking a motivated and knowledgeable professional who has:

Essential Requirements

• Experience of leading or managing a team and achieving performance targets.
• Significant experience working in a customer-focused environment, including dealing with landlords, tenants, letting agents and other stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of property licensing under the Housing Act 2004 and associated regulations.
• Experience processing licence applications, including refusals, revocations, exemptions and payment administration.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex legal and technical matters clearly.
• Strong organisational and workload management skills.
• Excellent relationship-building and team working abilities.
• Experience maintaining accurate records and managing information in line with GDPR requirements.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and specialist case management systems.
• Ability to use initiative, solve problems and contribute to service improvement.

Why Join Islington?

At Islington Council, we are committed to creating a more equal future for everyone who lives and works in the borough. Our people are guided by our CARE values: Collaborative, Ambitious, Resourceful, Empowering. You'll be joining a forward-thinking team making a direct impact on housing quality, community wellbeing, and tenant safety across the borough.

If you're ready to use your licensing expertise and leadership skills to help improve housing standards for residents across Islington, we'd love to hear from you. Join us and help make Islington a borough where everyone has a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home.

Our offer to you

• Up to 31 days leave per year, increasing to 36 days after five years of local government service.
• A range of flexible working arrangements to maintain a healthy work-life balance, as well as a 35-hour working week.
• Learning and development opportunities to maximise your potential.
• Competitive pay and a commitment to paying all staff the London Living Wage at minimum.
• Excellent local government pension scheme.
• Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships.
• Local discounts from restaurants, shops, health and beauty therapists, and more!

Workforce Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable workforce, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Our workforce strategy places equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of everything we do, reaffirming our commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion.

We strive to create an environment where all colleagues feel they belong and can safely express their thoughts, ideas, and challenges, without fear of judgement or discrimination.

We maintain a zero-tolerance approach to any unlawful discrimination, harassment, or victimisation on the grounds of any protected characteristics under the 2010 Equality Act.

Every one of us has a role to play in making Islington Council a truly inclusive workplace. By living out our CARE values every day and embedding the principles of equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our work, we can all actively contribute to empowering people and creating a more equal Islington.

Pre‑Employment Checks

Any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of required pre‑employment checks.

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expect all staff, and volunteers to share this commitment.

Disability Confident Scheme

Islington Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria and we are committed to providing support to applicants who request reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process and throughout their career with us.