Assistant Licensing Team Manager

South Norfolk and Broadland Council; Norwich; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free onsite parking

Employee discounts

Competitive holiday allowance

Wellbeing initiatives

Local Government Pension Scheme

Job summary

South Norfolk and Broadland Councils are recruiting an experienced licensing professional for a new management role within the Licensing Team in Norwich. You will lead a team, manage licensing projects from Alcohol to Zoos, and improve the customer journey while ensuring compliance and positive growth for local businesses.

You will work closely with the Licensing Team Manager, represent the team in decision-making, and travel to multiple sites as part of duties.

Qualifications

• Degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant subject, or substantial equivalent experience.
• Experience managing teams and/or projects within a complex environment.
• Politically astute with experience working with Elected Members and stakeholders.
• Strong verbal and written communication with experience engaging with the public.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of complex licensing activities and provide direct line management for Assistant Licensing Officers.
• Take ownership of day-to-day management responsibilities and act as lead officer in the Licensing Team.
• Improve the customer journey for licensing applicants and enhance operational efficiency through project work.
• Investigate breaches of licensing law, gather evidence, prepare reports and prosecution files as required.
• Provide informed advice on contentious licensing issues and support policy reviews, consultations and publication requirements.
• Assist with income recovery and proportionate debt recovery actions as appropriate.

Skills

Project management

People management

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Education

Degree in a relevant subject

Job description

We are looking for an experienced licensing professional to join us in a new management role within the Councils' well-established Licensing Team. You will be involved in an A to Z of licensable activities, from Alcohol to Zoos, plus many more licence types in between.

Licensing plays a vital role in protecting the public and ensuring a fair and level playing field for businesses. Our aim is to drive high compliance through a robust but fair approach as a licensing authority, balanced with a business-friendly and commercial mindset. By promoting confidence amongst applicants and licence holders, we support positive growth and excellent customer satisfaction.

About the Role

Working closely with the Licensing Team Manager, you will support the delivery of complex licensing activities and provide direct line management for Assistant Licensing Officers. You will take ownership of day-to-day management responsibilities where allocated, represent the team in a lead officer role, and work collaboratively with internal and external customer-focused teams.

You will use project management methodologies to deliver workstreams that improve the customer journey for licensing applicants and enhance operational efficiency. This will include following change-control processes, ensuring improvements are embedded across the organisation, and aligning projects with organisational strategies and delivery plans.

The role involves conducting in-depth research to support business case development, collaborating across project networks, and sharing best practice and lessons learned.

You will also investigate and take appropriate action regarding breaches and alleged breaches of licensing law, ensuring compliance with licence conditions and, where necessary, gather evidence, prepare reports, and compile prosecution files.

You will represent the Licensing Team on specialist matters, respond to complex enquiries from applicants, businesses, the public and stakeholders, and provide informed advice on contentious licensing issues. In addition, you will support the Licensing Team Manager with policy reviews, drafting, consultations and publication requirements, while helping to ensure timely income recovery and, where appropriate, proportionate debt recovery action.

About You

With a degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant subject, or substantial equivalent experience, you will have extensive knowledge of relevant legislation and a proven ability to interpret and apply it effectively.

You will bring demonstrable experience of managing teams and/or projects within a complex environment, with the ability to achieve results through others and contribute as a key member of a management team in the delivery of specialist regulatory services. Politically astute, you will have significant experience of working closely with Elected Members and a wide range of stakeholders.

An effective communicator with strong verbal and written skills, you will have extensive experience of engaging with the public, often in challenging situations. You will be able to quickly analyse complex information, exercise sound judgement, and make informed recommendations based on your findings.

The role requires the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of your duties.

Closing Date: 30th August 2026 at 11.30pm

Interview Date: w/c 7th or w/c14th September 2026

Why Join Us?

We offer flexible working hours for most office-based roles, allowing for a healthy work-life balance.

As part of our team, you will enjoy a range of employee benefits, including

• free onsite parking
• employee discounts
• a competitive holiday allowance
• wellbeing initiatives
• the opportunity to join the Local Government Pension Scheme

You will be joining a progressive and supportive organisation that is committed to making a positive impact on the communities we serve.

The Councils reserve the right to close any and all vacancies at any time if there is judged to be a sufficient number of applications received.

South Norfolk and Broadland Councils are committed to promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and all applicants must be willing to undergo appropriate checks for the position, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service