Trading Standards Team Leader

LBB; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

31 days annual leave

LGPS pension

Flexible working

Lifestyle discounts

Cycle to work

Training and development

Well-being programs

Job summary

Barnet Council seeks an experienced Team Leader (Trading Standards) to lead a high-performing enforcement team, driving complex investigations and safeguarding residents. The role requires supervising officers, allocating resources, and collaborating with law enforcement and regulatory bodies to ensure compliant, effective investigations.

Two levels exist: Level 1 for progression to leadership and Level 2 for Accredited Financial Investigator with POCA experience.

Qualifications

• Trading Standards qualification or Diploma in Trading Standards (essential).
• Experience undertaking complex Trading Standards investigations and enforcement activity.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in Trading Standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise and develop a team of investigators and enforcement officers.
• Oversee complex criminal and civil investigations from intelligence development through to prosecution.
• Manage operational risk, performance and case quality.
• Provide professional advice on investigation strategy, evidence gathering and enforcement options.
• Build effective partnerships with regional and national agencies.
• Support service planning and continuous improvement.
• Represent the service at court, meetings and multi-agency forums.

Skills

Trading Standards

Investigation leadership

Stakeholder management

Court presentation

Regulatory compliance

Education

Trading Standards Diploma/Qualification

Job description

Important Information for Current Barnet Council Employees Where possible, employees who have access to Oracle are encouraged to apply via the Opportunity Marketplace (https://fa-exnu-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/fscmUI/redwood/internalmobility/opportunitymarketplace/search) (Internal Career Site). This helps to ensure applications are correctly identified as internal and avoids potential delays during the recruitment process.

About Barnet Council

Barnet is a borough with much to be proud of. Our excellent schools, vibrant town centers, vast green spaces and diverse communities all help make it a great 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. As an organisation, our staff are committed to Our Values: Learning to Improve, Caring, Inclusive, Collaborative – which drive everything we do.

Overview

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Team Leader to lead a high-performing Trading Standards team. This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious professional to drive complex investigations, safeguard residents, tackle financial crime, and support the development of a skilled enforcement team.

The role is available at two levels:

Level 1 - Team Leader (Trading Standards Qualified)

Suitable for an experienced Trading Standards professional looking to progress into a leadership role.

Level 2 - Team Leader (Trading Standards Qualified and an Accredited Financial Investigator)

Suitable for an Accredited Financial Investigator with experience of financial investigations and asset recovery under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA).

About the Role

You will provide operational leadership across a varied portfolio of Trading Standards, ensuring that investigations are conducted professionally, lawfully and effectively.

You will supervise officers, allocate resources, monitor performance and act as a source of professional expertise on complex investigations. You will work closely with internal and external partners including law enforcement agencies, regulatory bodies, legal services and regional networks.

The successful candidate will be passionate about protecting communities, delivering excellent outcomes for residents and supporting the professional development of staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise and develop a team of investigators and enforcement officers.
• Oversee complex criminal and civil investigations from intelligence development through to prosecution.
• Manage operational risk, performance and case quality.
• Provide professional advice on investigation strategy, evidence gathering and enforcement options.
• Build effective partnerships with regional and national agencies.
• Support service planning, performance management and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, codes of practice and corporate policies.
• Represent the service at court, meetings and multi-agency forums.
• Contribute to strategic priorities and service development.

About you

Level 1 - Team Leader (Trading Standards Qualified)

Essential Requirements

• Trading Standards Qualification Framework qualification or Diploma in Trading Standards.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in Trading Standards, enforcement
• Significant experience of undertaking complex Trading Standards investigations and enforcement activity
• Experience of supervising, leading or mentoring enforcement staff
• Extensive knowledge of Trading Standards legislation, enforcement powers, codes of practice and associated regulatory frameworks
• Experience of preparing prosecution files and presenting evidence in court
• Experience of developing and delivering intelligence-led enforcement projects
• Ability to manage competing priorities and make sound operational decisions.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Desirable

• Hold the qualifications and experience to be Chief Inspector Weights and Measures Inspector
• Management or leadership qualification (ILM or equivalent)
• Experience of contributing to service improvement, policy development and strategic planning

Level 2 - Team Leader (Accredited Financial Investigator)

Essential Requirements

• Trading Standards Qualification Framework qualification or Diploma in Trading Standards.
• Accredited Financial Investigator (AFI) qualification under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 parts 2 and 8
• Extensive knowledge of Trading Standards legislation, enforcement powers, codes of practice and associated regulatory frameworks
• Significant experience leading financial investigations.
• Proven experience securing Production Orders, Restraint Orders and Confiscation Orders
• Experience supervising investigators and providing specialist advice.
• Strong understanding of POCA, money laundering legislation and financial investigation techniques.
• Ability to lead high-profile and complex investigations.

Desirable

• Accredited under Part 5 POCA (CRiSP)
• Hold the qualifications and experience to be Chief Inspector Weights and Measures Inspector
• Management or leadership qualification (ILM or equivalent)
• Experience of contributing to service improvement, policy development and strategic planning

What we offer

• 31 days annual leave, plus public and bank holidays
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, (https://www.lgpsmember.org/your-pension/the-essentials/) which provides a valuable guaranteed income in your retirement together with security for your dependents
• A comprehensive Flexible Working Policy which supports work-life balance by empowering staff and management to make decisions around when, where, and how work is done
• 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

System notice

Some dates shown on our online application system (such as “Apply Before”) appear in US date format (MM/DD/YYYY) due to Oracle system settings.

Barnet Council’s Safeguarding and Employment Information

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, this may include 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 (https://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.

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.