Principal Licensing Officer - REQ006039

INTERNAL ONLY VACANCY. This post is open to existing Leeds City Council employees only. Applications will not be considered from external candidates.

Job title: Principal Licensing Officer

Salary: PO1 £38,220 - £40,777

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: The post-holder will be required to work at various Leeds City Council and green space sites within the Leeds district. This role also provides an opportunity for home working.

The Entertainment Licensing Section is responsible for the administration and enforcement of a wide range of licensing regimes, including the Licensing Act 2003, the Gambling Act 2005, and other regulatory frameworks.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Licensing Officer to lead and manage the delivery of a high-quality licensing service. This is a pivotal role, responsible for ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, promoting public safety, and supporting local businesses and communities through effective licensing processes.

The postholder will have direct line management responsibility for a team of Licensing Officers and Administrative Assistants, ensuring workloads are appropriately allocated and service standards are consistently achieved. They will set clear objectives, monitor individual and team performance, and lead regular one-to-one meetings, appraisals, and development reviews to support continuous improvement and professional growth.

Key Responsibilities

Lead, supervise, and support a team of Licensing Officers and Administrative Assistants, ensuring a high performance culture and supporting ongoing professional development;
Oversee the administration of licensing functions, including alcohol, entertainment and other regulated activities;
Provide authoritative and practical advice on licensing law, policy, and procedures to a wide range of stakeholders, including elected members, MPs, partner agencies, and members of the public;
Prepare, quality assure, and present reports, and represent the service at licensing hearings, committees, and court proceedings as required;
Contribute to the development, review, and implementation of licensing policies and procedures;
Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with responsible authorities and key partners to support effective service delivery; and
Monitor and evaluate service performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and lead initiatives to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation within the service.

About you

As a Principal Licensing Officer, you will bring to the role:

Significant experience within a licensing or regulatory environment;
Working knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Licensing Act 2003, Gambling Act 2005, and Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, as well as a broad range of other licensing regimes and registrations such as sex establishments, charitable collections, places of marriage, and hypnotism.
Managing, supervising, and developing staff, with the ability to lead, motivate, and support a high performing team;
Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills;
The ability to interpret complex legislation and provide clear, practical guidance;
Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.

About the role

The Entertainment Licensing Section is a fast-paced service dealing with the administration and enforcement of a wide range of licensing regimes.

The basic working week is 37 hours. This will include occasional evening and early morning work, as well as weekends and public holidays, in line with service requirements. The service does not operate a fixed shift pattern; instead, working hours are determined by the demands of the role and agreed in advance to ensure flexibility and effective service delivery.

The role also involves representing the service at a variety of meetings, forums, and Licensing Committee hearings. The postholder may be required to present evidence and act as a professional witness at court and formal proceedings.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest licensing authorities in the country and a major regional employer, with over 14,000 employees. We are committed to attracting, retaining, and developing talented individuals who are motivated to share and contribute to our council values and ambitions.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement, plus statutory holidays;
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions;
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements;
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities; and
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidancefor further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role, please contact Matthew Nelson, Service Manager. Call 0113 378 5029 or e-mail matthew.nelson@leeds.gov.uk

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose

Entertainment Licensing deals with the administration and enforcement of various licensing regimes. Primarily these are the Licensing Act 2003, Gambling Act 2005, Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, plus other licences and registrations including sex establishments, charity collections, places of marriage and hypnotism.

The postholder will have line management responsibility ensuring that the service is represented to professional standards and duties are carried out in accordance with relevant legislation, Leeds City Council policies and internal processes.

The postholder will support the Section Head in the delivery of the licensing service, deputising in the absence of the Section Head, writing and presenting reports before the Licensing Committee and Sub-Committees, representing the Section at a range of meetings and forums, working to own initiative and in liaison with fellow Principal Licensing Officers.

Responsibilities

Have full operational knowledge of the following legislation and any local policies relative to such legislation:

Licensing Act 2003
Gambling Act 2005
Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (Licensing of Sex Establishments)
Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013
Marriage Act 1949
Police, Factories etc (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916
House to House Collections Act 1939
Hypnotism Act 1952

Keep informed of any change to such legislation or new legislation affecting the service through regular bulletins and training, disseminating such change to staff members.
To be familiar with corporate initiatives, priorities, actions, projects, policies and procedures in particular where there are links to the service and duties of the post.
To have line management responsibility, monitor and delegate workloads, hold regular 121 meetings, carry out appraisals and organise development programmes as identified.
Have line management responsibility for matters relating to equal opportunities, working arrangements, absence, disciplinary matters, grievances, complaints of discrimination, violence or bullying at work, performance capability, confidentiality, emergencies, health and safety, wellbeing, information technology and data protection.
Develop staff knowledge, skills and experience through regular meetings, briefing sessions, training, and individual support.
Identify efficiencies and review systems to ensure that they are fit for purpose. Identify any new procedures as necessary. Ensure staff are conversant with all procedures through briefings, training and 121’s.
Ensure that all processes are compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Provide managerial support for the Liaison & Enforcement Team in the absence of the Principal Liaison & Enforcement Officer.
Engage with a range of stakeholders, including members of the public, elected members, MP’s, businesses, professional bodies, regulators, and services internal and external to Leeds City Council.
Manage contentious licence applications, ensuring that reports to the Licensing Sub-Committee are professional and accurate in their context and that all regulatory requirements provided for a hearing are fulfilled.
Prepare and present reports to the Licensing Committee/Licensing Sub-Committee, taking questions and advising the Councillors as appropriate.
Have personal responsibility for the issue of licences in accordance with the chief officer delegation scheme.
Be involved in the Safety Advisory Group process for licensed events, liaising with agencies and promoters.
Carry out certain duties during unsocial hours such as evenings and weekends, including bank holidays.
Carry out duties at varied locations throughout the Leeds district, including green field sites and within the City Centre during the evening and night-time economy.
Represent the Section at a range of meetings and forums and to schedule and chair meetings as required.
Contribute to licensing policy development and reviews, including gathering data and stakeholder consultation.
Identify, respond and deal with sensitive and contentious situations.
Investigate and respond to complaints made against the service.
Contribute to financial matters affecting the Section, including the recovery of licence payments, working within budgets and ensuring that all receipting and banking of payments are in carried out in accordance with internal processes and financial regulations.
Gather evidence, write witness statements, attend and provide evidence before the Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court.
Contribute to the development and maintenance of health & safety risk assessments and be willing to take personal responsibility under and abide by the Council’s Health & Safety Policy.
Contribute to initiatives within the Section and Directorate generally.
To carry out such other duties as may be reasonably required commensurate with the postholder’s grade, experience, training and general level of responsibility within the Council.

To perform all functions and duties effectively and in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, including the following:

The Council’s Polices and codes of Practice
The Councils Financial Regulations
The Council’s Standards, Objectives, Targets and Timescales
All relevant legislation to the Section
General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018

Qualifications

BIIAB Level 2 Award for Licensing Practitioners (Licensing Act 2003 and Gambling Act 2005), or equivalent.
The postholder must hold a full Driving Licence.

Essential Requirements

It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post.

Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

Experience of the Licensing Act 2003;
Experience of the Gambling Act 2005;
Experience of working in an office environment;
Experience of producing correspondence, memoranda, reports, guidance notes and procedures;
Experience of co-ordinating work within set deadlines;
Experience of working to own initiative;
Experience of assessing workloads and delegating work;
Experience in facilitating staff meetings and briefings;
Experience of a meeting environment;
Experience of working in liaison with other services;
Experience of providing specialist licensing guidance and advice;
Experience of balancing payments, banking procedures, maintaining financial records and working within budget constraints;
A knowledge of IT software including Microsoft Office and database systems;
Knowledge of the Licensing Act 2003;
Knowledge of the Gambling Act 2005;
Knowledge of Data Protection Regulations and the Data Protection Act 2018;
Knowledge of office systems and procedures;
A knowledge of IT software including Microsoft Office 365 and database systems;
An ability to prioritise and organise workloads with time constraints and conflicting deadlines;
An ability to work with minimum supervision and to own initiative;
An ability to lead, manage, motivate and develop staff to achieve high standards of service;
An ability to grasp and assimilate new information quickly;
An ability to relate effectively to people at all different levels inside and outside the Council;
An ability to recognise and effectively respond to sensitive or contentious situations;
An ability to take a proactive and innovative approach to various tasks;
An ability to draft and prepare clear and concise documents, reports, letters, memoranda, guidance notes, procedures and reports; and
An ability to provide specialist licensing guidance and advice.

Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council values and behaviours and codes of conduct;
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Leeds Ambitions of health and wellbeing, inclusive growth, thriving strong communities, and a resilient sustainable city;
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures;
Carry out duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing.
Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills;
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding equality and diversity of Leeds City Council;
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person;
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade; and
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable Requirements

Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements; however, these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

Experience in staff supervision, management and development; and
Experience of conducting staff appraisals or similar.

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