Trading Standards Operations Leader – Strategic Regulation & Impact

Staffordshire County Council; Stafford; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Staffordshire County Council's Trading Standards service is seeking an ambitious leader to provide strategic direction and operational leadership, ensuring statutory duties are met and frontline services remain effective.

Based in Stafford with flexible working options, the role focuses on intelligence-led regulation, safeguarding communities and supporting compliant businesses through high-performing teams and strong partnerships.

Qualifications

• A recognised Trading Standards qualification, such as the Diploma in Trading Standards, DCATS or an equivalent qualification.
• A management/leadership qualification equivalent to NVQ Level 4 or willing to work towards this.
• Substantial experience of leading and managing multidisciplinary professional teams, including performance management within a regulatory services environment.
• The ability to manage conflict, handle difficult situations and make sound, evidence-based decisions when problem-solving and delivering service improvement
• Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to translate priorities into clear and practical direction for staff.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation and partnership-working skills, with the confidence to build effective relationships at all levels.
• A full current driving licence and the ability to meet the travel requirements of the role.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for a modern, intelligence‑led Trading Standards service aligned to Council priorities and focused on delivering measurable outcomes.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement through better use of data, technology, systems and processes to maximise impact and productivity.
• Protect communities by targeting resources at the highest risks, using intelligence‑led regulation to prevent harm, exploitation and financial loss.
• Lead and develop high‑performing teams, fostering accountability, collaboration and continuous professional growth to deliver excellent services.
• Support economic growth and strong partnerships by helping compliant businesses thrive and working with local, regional and national partners to tackle complex issues.
• Ensure effective governance and public confidence through responsible resource management, lawful enforcement, statutory duties and advocacy for the value of Trading Standards.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Partnership-working

Interpersonal skills

Driving licence

Education

Diploma in Trading Standards

NVQ Level 4 management/leadership

Job description

Staffordshire County Council's Trading Standards service is seeking an ambitious leader to provide strategic direction and operational leadership, ensuring statutory duties are met and frontline services remain effective.

Based in Stafford with flexible working options, the role focuses on intelligence-led regulation, safeguarding communities and supporting compliant businesses through high-performing teams and strong partnerships.