Licensing Compliance Officer

Luton Borough Council; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the UK is seeking a knowledgeable Licensing Compliance Officer for their Regulatory Services team. This role involves conducting inspections and investigations to ensure that licensed premises meet legal standards, thus protecting public safety. Candidates should have experience in a regulatory environment, strong investigative and communication skills, and a comprehensive understanding of licensing legislation. The position offers a competitive salary package and the opportunity to make a significant impact within the community.

Benefits

25 to 32 days' annual leave

Generous pension scheme

Flexible working options

Career development opportunities

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounts on local services

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience within a licensing or regulatory environment.
• Experience working within a legislative environment.
• Sound knowledge of licensing legislation applicable for compliance.

Responsibilities

• Conduct compliance inspections and investigations.
• Engage with the community and various organizations.
• Present cases at formal legal hearings as required.

Skills

Knowledge of local authority functions

Experience dealing with the public

Strong investigative skills

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Advanced Professional Certificate in Investigating Practice

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

About the job

Salary: £36,363 - £39,152 a year plus £963 essential car user allowance

Hours per week: 37

Contract type: Permanent

Luton Council is seeking a committed and knowledgeable Licensing Compliance Officer to join our Regulatory Services team. This is a challenging and rewarding role, ensuring licensed premises, vehicles, and operators across the Borough comply with licensing legislation and conditions, helping to protect public safety and maintain high standards.

About the Role

As a Licensing Compliance Officer, you will undertake compliance inspections, investigations, and enforcement activity across a wide range of licensed activities. You will work within a legislative framework, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses and licence holders, preparing case files, and presenting cases at formal legal hearings where required.

You will engage directly with members of the public, commercial organisations, partner agencies, and internal teams, representing the Council professionally and assertively while maintaining fairness and impartiality.

Please note this role does not attract sponsorship.

About you

You will have:

• Knowledge of local authority functions and experience working within a licensing or regulatory environment
• Demonstrable experience dealing with the public and commercial organisations
• Experience of working in a legislative environment, including presenting cases at formal legal hearings
• Sound, up-to-date knowledge of licensing legislation and its practical application to ensure effective compliance
• Demonstrable knowledge of the Licensing Act 2003 and Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing

You will also demonstrate:

• Strong investigative, interviewing, and negotiation skills, with knowledge of relevant legal frameworks including CPIA 1996, RIPA 2000, and PACE Codes E and F
• Awareness of licensing enforcement procedures and some knowledge of court and enforcement processes
• The ability to communicate assertively, tactfully, and professionally with a wide range of people, both in person and by telephone
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage conflicting and time‑critical workloads

Technical & Administrative Skills

You will be able to:

• Produce factual, highly accurate, and complex documentation, including reports, work procedures, letters, and licence applications
• Maintain accurate manual and computer‑based records
• Use a range of IT systems and databases, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and internet‑based systems
• Undertake investigative and project work within agreed deadlines and performance targets

Professional Judgement & Equality

You will:

• Work independently with limited supervision, recognising when to seek guidance and support
• Make impartial, ethical, and proportionate decisions, assessing and mitigating risk effectively
• Demonstrate an understanding of the effects of discrimination on services and service users
• Apply equality and fairness principles consistently in enforcement and service delivery

Additional Requirements

• Advanced Professional Certificate in Investigating Practice or demonstrable equivalent experience
• Training relevant to licensing inspections and a commitment to ongoing professional development
• Ability to undertake inspections and site visits across the Borough
• Access to a vehicle for work purposes with relevant business insurance
• A current and valid driving licence and the ability to travel around the Borough as required

Why Join Luton Council?

Luton Council is committed to delivering fair, proportionate, and effective regulatory services that support our diverse communities and local businesses. We offer a supportive working environment, opportunities for development, and the chance to make a real difference to public safety and compliance across the Borough.

About us

Our ambitious Luton 2040 Vision - that no‑one in Luton will have to live in poverty - is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that our people are remarkable, talented, committed and passionate about serving our residents.

The people of Luton depend heavily on this council - and that means our workforce! Are you ready to realise the remarkable and help us deliver our vision?

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our borough.

Application Process

On occasions, we may close a vacancy early due to a very high number of applications being received.

Benefits

• From 25 to 32 days' annual leave: linked to length of service and grade
• Buying annual leave scheme: buy up to 20 days additional annual leave
• Career Pathways: step up in your career or move into a specialist area
• Pension scheme: with generous employer contributions of up to 20.2 per cent (at July 2023) and 3× salary death in service grant
• Generous relocation package: up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility)
• Employee Assistance Programme: a free, 24/7 confidential counselling and wellbeing support service available to all employees, their partner or spouse and dependent children over 16 still living at home
• Work/life balance: flexible working options including working from home where possible. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements including part‑time hours and alternative working patterns
• Training and support: unlimited access to development courses, mentoring and support and clear career pathways
• Staff offers: includes discounts on your MOT, gym and fitness, restaurants and salons
• Arriva Travel Club: great value savings on local bus travel