Licensing Enforcement Officer

We are looking for a motivated and professional Licensing Enforcement Officer to join our Public Protection Team. This is a key front-line role helping to protect public safety, health and local amenities by ensuring licensed activities are carried out lawfully and responsibly.

You will be responsible for inspecting licensed premises, vehicles and individuals, investigating complaints, and taking proportionate enforcement action where necessary. Working closely with colleagues, partner agencies and local businesses, you will play a vital role in maintaining high standards across licensed activities within the borough.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the role:
We want our people to be the best they can and to give them a platform from which they can deliver the highest quality services to our stakeholders, be those residents, businesses, visitors, or elected members.

Central to this is the delivery of a customer-focussed, accurate and efficient licensing service. Reporting to the Principal Licensing Enforcement Officer this role will deliver on a wide range of licensing functions including administering, monitoring or taking enforcement action relating to taxi and private hire licenses, gambling & gaming, street café’s, alcohol and entertainment licenses, temporary event notices and more.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Carry out inspections, investigations and surveys of licensed premises, vehicles and activities
• Assess licence applications and variations, making appropriate recommendations
• Investigate complaints and take enforcement action in line with legislation and Council policy
• Prepare reports and evidence for committee hearings and legal proceedings
• Interview licence applicants and holders to ensure compliance with licence conditions
• Liaise with partner agencies including the Police and other enforcement bodies
• Provide advice, guidance and education to licensees, businesses and members of the public
• Keep accurate records and maintain licensing data on relevant IT systems
• Participate in enforcement operations, including test purchasing where required
• Attend committees, court hearings and meetings, presenting evidence when necessary

About you:
We’re looking for someone who can prioritise and organise their own workload, enjoys a challenge, is confident in challenging situations and can make things happen, whilst never losing sight of the customer.

Whilst experience in licensing work will be advantageous to the position, a willingness to learn is most important.

You’ll be confident managing a busy and varied workload, able to prioritise effectively, stay calm under pressure and meet deadlines. You’ll work accurately and pay close attention to detail, while being comfortable working both independently and as part of a supportive team. There will be opportunities to take the lead on specific pieces of work or projects, including specialist or covert activity, and to support colleagues where needed.

You’ll be quick to learn and keen to develop, with the ability to pick up new legislation, procedures and IT systems and put them into practice. You’ll communicate clearly and professionally, both in writing and in person, producing reports and statements and explaining information in a way that is easy to understand. An interest in local authority licensing and enforcement is desirable, along with the ability to apply legislation and guidance fairly and consistently.

Strong customer service skills are key to this role. You’ll enjoy working with a wide range of people, including residents, businesses and partner organisations, and will be able to handle conversations tactfully and confidently. You’ll be committed to equality, inclusion and sustainability, willing to attend committee meetings and present reports, and flexible in your approach to working, including taking part in an evening and weekend working for which an unsocial hours allowance is paid.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

Our offer:
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact Clyde Masson – Principal Licensing & Enforcement Officer - clyde.masson@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: Sunday 30th August 2026
Interview Date: Wednesday 9th September 2026
Interview Setup: In person at the Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading