Licensing Manager

3 Month Contract With A Local Authority

The Licensing Manager is responsible for leading, managing, and developing the Council’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 Council’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.