Head of Regulation & Community Protection

Bedford Borough Council; Bedford; On-site; GBP 78,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in Bedford is seeking a Head of Regulation & Community Protection to lead the delivery of key services including Environmental Health and Community Safety. This role requires a qualified professional with experience in leadership and a strong focus on modern regulatory practices. You will be pivotal in shaping the Borough's ambitious agenda and responding to community needs effectively.

Qualifications

• Hold a suitable professional qualification in a related field.
• Experience in managing environmental health and safety services.
• Strong budgeting and financial management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead service delivery of Environmental Health and Trading Standards.
• Manage community safety and emergency planning initiatives.
• Drive the delivery of the Borough's place-shaping agenda.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting and financial management

Compliance and regulation knowledge

Education

Professional qualification in a related field

Job description

Head of Regulation & Community Protection
Salary: £78,117 - £89,527 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week

Bedford Borough is one of the most exciting and upcoming places in the UK to work in the public sector. It is a key growth area at the heart of the Oxford Cambridge Arc, with opportunities for transport and growth opening up through East West Rail, not to mention a potential international tourist attraction which, if it goes ahead, will provide unparalleled opportunities for our residents and communities.

We are aiming to recruit an exceptional individual to join #TeamBedford and play a central role in shaping and delivering the Borough's bold and ambitious place-shaping agenda.

The Head of Regulation & Community Protection will report to our Service Director Regulation, Housing & Customer Contact, holding responsibility for the service delivery of all aspects of Environmental Health, Corporate Health & Safety, Trading Standards, Licensing, Registration, Community Safety, Emergency Planning, Business Continuity and Flood Risk. This is a new post, created as part of a senior-level reorganisation.

To succeed in this role, you will need to hold a suitable professional qualification in a related field and be an experienced, highly motivated and professional leader who can lead services beyond the scope of their professional sphere. You will have a passion for modern, place-shaping regulatory services with a focus on achieving delivery, protecting our communities and leading the local and corporate response to emergency incidents and business continuity challenges, with strong budgeting and financial management skills to ensure value for money.

There has never been a more exciting time to live and work in Bedford, where you will play a key role in delivering once-in-a-generation projects which will have a long-lasting legacy.

For further information and a discussion about this exciting opportunity, please contact John Molyneux, Service Director Regulation, Housing & Customer Contact via email at [e-mail].

For full job details, please click apply below

Closing Date: 25 August 2025
Interview Date: mid-September 2025