Licensing Officer
About Watford Borough Council:
Watford is an urban borough in South West Hertfordshire; the borough has excellent transport links with mainline rail connections to London. Watford is the centre of a sub-region serving around 500,000 people living within a 20 minute travelling time catchment. As part of the London commuter belt, Watford is strongly influenced by London, which brings the benefits of a buoyant economy.
At a glance:
- £1.4bn local investment happening – mix of public and private funding
- 5 major development and regeneration projects happening
- 3,500 registered businesses
- Higher than average working age population
- Skilled workforce
- Home to many major international head offices
Watford is big enough to be bold and small enough for you to make a difference. We are one of a handful of local authorities with a directly elected mayor providing stability and strong leadership.
Contract: 7 month fixed term contract
Hours: 15 hours per week
Salary: £33,106 per annum (pro rata)
The Role
As a Licensing Officer, you will oversee a wide range of the Council's licensing functions, ensuring strict adherence to legal and policy standards. Key responsibilities include:
• Serving as a point of contact for all licensing enquiries from customers, partners, and members.
• Managing face to face operational requirements and promptly responding to phone and email enquiries.
• Administering online booking systems, processing payments, and facilitating essential services for customers.
• Identifying and resolving instances of non-compliance with policy or statutory requirements through engagement with licence holders.
• Escalating unresolved issues to senior management as needed.
• You will be responsible for managing licensing functions including taxis and private hire vehicles, alcohol, entertainment, gambling, late-night refreshment premises, charity collections, street traders, pavement licences, lotteries, and various minor licences.
If you have a strong grasp of regulatory frameworks, excellent communication skills, and thrive in a role where attention to detail and compliance are crucial, we encourage you to apply.
What were looking for?
Join our team as a Licensing Officer and contribute to ensuring compliance and efficiency across the Council's licensing functions. We're seeking a candidate who can:
• Demonstrate understanding or previous experience in local authority licensing functions, including the Licensing Act 2003, Gambling Act 2005, hackney carriage and private hire licensing, and other local licensing regulations.
• Exhibit proven ability to prioritise, plan effectively, and manage time to consistently meet challenging deadlines.
• Possess strong communication skills, both verbal and written, capable of engaging effectively with diverse audiences.
• Implement a risk-based approach to uphold licensing objectives and adhere to the Council’s Compliance Policy, including promptly addressing non-compliance issues.
If you are passionate about licensing, eager to ensure regulatory compliance, and thrive in a dynamic environment, we encourage you to apply!
A basic DBS check will be carried out.
Closing Date: 14 December 2025
Salary range
- £33,106 per year