Head of Environmental Health, Consumer and Public Protection

Borough of Barnet; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Greater London is looking for a Head of Environmental Health, Consumer and Public Protection. This role involves leading the Consumer and Public Protection Services, ensuring compliance in areas like licensing and food safety. The ideal candidate will have significant management experience and a relevant degree. You will also spearhead strategic initiatives and collaborate with various stakeholders to enhance community safety. Join us to make a meaningful difference in public trust and protection.

Benefits

31 days annual leave plus public holidays

Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme

Work-life balance options including hybrid working

Lifestyle discounts from major retailers

Training and development opportunities

Employee well-being training programs

Qualifications

• Proven senior management experience across environmental health, licensing, and trading standards.
• A track record of business planning, continuous improvement, and delivering measurable outcomes.
• Commitment to professional development and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic development and delivery of essential protection services.
• Influence long-term business strategy using insight into competitive environments.
• Collaborate with partners to ensure efficient service delivery.
• Provide expert advice to Elected Members and senior leaders.

Skills

Management experience

Knowledge of environmental health

Licensing expertise

Business planning

Continuous improvement

Education

Relevant degree

Professional accreditation

Job description

About Barnet Council

Barnet is a borough with much to be proud of. Our excellent schools, vibrant town centres, vast green spaces, and diverse communities all help make it a wonderful place to live and work. As a council we want to build on these strengths as we move into the future. We are growing and developing as an organisation to meet the challenges facing our borough and we are committed to working with partner organisations and residents to make Barnet even better. Our staff are committed to Our Values (Caring, Learning to Improve, Inclusive, Collaborate).

About the Directorate

The Assurance and Public Protection directorate ensures democratic accountability of council services. The directorate monitors and ensures compliance and provides assurance that Barnet is an engaged and effective council that protects the public purse. They provide enforcement services that engage and protect residents and businesses to support a safer and healthier borough. In the Assurance and Public Protection directorate we are committed to the work we do and the difference we make to residents and customers of Barnet every single day.

Job Opportunities

• Head of Environmental Health, Consumer and Public Protection
• Counter Fraud and Trading Standards Manager
• Service Manager – Environmental Health (Commercial)
• Team Leader-Health and Safety
• Environmental Health Officer
• Senior Food Safety Officers x2
• Public Health & Noise Nuisance Officers x2
• Senior Scientific Officer
• Technical Trading Standards Officer

These are place-based roles, which require officers to primarily work from Barnet Council offices in Colindale or other locations across the borough.

Head of Environmental Health, Consumer and Public Protection

Are you ready to lead a high-profile, high-impact service that protects consumers and the public? We’re looking for a visionary leader to shape the future of Consumer and Public Protection Services in Barnet. The areas of responsibility include Licensing, Food Safety, Pest Control, Public Health Noise Nuisance, and Scientific Services.

About the Role

As part of our Assurance Directorate’s senior management team, you’ll:

• Drive the strategic development, design, and delivery of essential protection services.
• Influence long-term business strategy, using your insight into competitive environments to improve performance.
• Collaborate with partners and stakeholders to ensure consistent, efficient service delivery.
• Provide expert advice to Elected Members and senior leaders, guiding decisions that impact thousands.

Please click here to download the Job description for this role. (Right-click and select “Open in new tab” so you can keep the job description open while completing your application)

About You

We’re seeking someone with:

• A relevant degree and professional accreditation in one or more service areas.
• Proven senior management experience across environmental health, licensing, and trading standards.
• A track record of business planning, continuous improvement, and delivering measurable outcomes.
• Commitment to professional development and innovation.

Why Join Us?

This is your chance to make a real difference—shaping services that protect communities and enhance public trust. You’ll work in a dynamic environment where your leadership drives quality, efficiency, and impact.

Benefits

• 31 days annual leave, plus public and bank holidays
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, which provides a valuable guaranteed income in your retirement together with security for your dependents
• Work-life balance options may include hybrid working, flexitime, job share, home working, part-time
• A vast range of lifestyle discounts from major retailers, supermarkets, energy suppliers and more
• Broad range of payroll benefits including cycle to work, eye care vouchers, travel and gym membership
• Excellent training and development opportunities
• Employee well‑being training programs including confidential employee assistance

How to apply

Read the job description and person specification before clicking ‘Apply’ to commence the online application form. If you would like any further information about the role before applying, please contact [e-mail].

EEO Statements

Barnet Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Barnet operates stringent safer recruitment procedures, including AI Detection Screening, Biometric ID/Right to Work Checks, Qualification and Registration Checks, up to 6 years of Employment Data and Insights to Accelerate Screening (Konfir), up to 5 years of Employment History References, DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) Checks, Credit Checks and Social Media, Sanctions and Occupational Health Screening.

To deliver Barnet Council’s commitment to equality of opportunity in the provision of services, all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services the Council delivers. As such we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Barnet Council embraces all forms of flexible working (including part-time, compressed hours, and hybrid working) and is committed to offering employees a healthy work‑life balance. Candidates are encouraged to talk about relevant requirements and preferences at interview. We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want, but we do promise not to judge you for asking.

Barnet Council is a Disability Confident Committed Employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply.

All posts with the council are subject to a probationary period of six months, during which time you will be required to demonstrate to the council satisfaction your suitability for the position in which you will be employed.

Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close vacancies before the stated closing date if sufficient number of applications are received. Therefore please apply as soon as possible.

Please ensure you regularly check the email account (including JUNK MAIL folders) that you use to submit your application, as any further communication regarding your application will be sent electronically. Should you not hear from us within four working weeks of the closing date for this post, then regretfully in this instance, you have not been shortlisted.