Licensing Enforcement and Technical Officer

Are you an experienced regulatory professional with the ability to interpret complex legislation, apply policy in practice and provide expert advice to a wide range of stakeholders?

Sheffield City Council is seeking a highly motivated Licensing Enforcement & Technical Officer to join our Licensing Service. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a dynamic regulatory environment, supporting the delivery of statutory licensing functions across a diverse range of licensing regimes.

The successful candidate will play a key role in providing technical expertise and professional advice to officers, elected Members, senior managers, partner agencies, licence holders and members of the public. You will help ensure that licensing decisions are lawful, proportionate and aligned with Council policy and statutory requirements.

About the Role

This is a varied and challenging role that combines technical licensing knowledge with regulatory decision-making and stakeholder engagement.

You will:

• Interpret and apply complex licensing legislation, statutory guidance, case law and Council policies across a range of licensing functions.
• Provide specialist advice and technical support to Council officers, senior leaders, elected Members and external partners.
• Assess complex licensing applications, representations and reviews, making recommendations based on legislative and policy requirements.
• Support the development, implementation and review of licensing policies, procedures and strategies.
• Prepare detailed reports and present evidence and recommendations to Licensing Committees, senior management meetings and public forums.
• Act as an authorised officer of the Council, exercising statutory powers and responsibilities where required.
• Investigate complex licensing matters, complaints and compliance issues, working collaboratively with internal and external partners.
• Represent the Council in legal, administrative, and quasi-judicial proceedings, including Licensing Committee hearings and appeals.
• Develop and maintain effective partnerships with enforcement agencies, responsible authorities and other stakeholders.
• Deliver training, guidance and professional support to licence holders, colleagues and partners.

While the role includes compliance and enforcement activity, a significant element of the position focuses on technical interpretation, professional advice, policy implementation and regulatory decision-making.

About You

We are looking for someone who has:

Essential

• Significant experience working within a licensing, regulatory, compliance, governance or similar statutory environment.
• A sound understanding of regulatory legislation and the ability to interpret and apply multiple pieces of legislation simultaneously.
• Experience of analysing legislation, statutory guidance, policy and legal requirements to support decision-making.
• The ability to provide clear, accurate and practical advice to a wide range of audiences, including senior managers and elected Members.
• Excellent report writing, presentation and communication skills.
• Experience of preparing professional reports and presenting complex information to committees, panels or senior stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with sound judgement and attention to detail.
• Experience of working collaboratively with partner agencies and stakeholders.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and work independently when required.
• A commitment to delivering high-quality public services and maintaining professional standards
• Ability to work flexibly to meet service requirements,including regular evening, weekend, and Bank Holiday duties. The post operates on a four-day working pattern and requires a commitment to undertaking at least one evening and/or weekend shift each week as part of the normal working schedule.
• Undertake regular out of office work, carrying out both proactive and reactive visits, inspections, investigations, and enforcement activities across a diverse range of licensed premises, venues, vehicles, and individuals. This role requires a significant amount of time working outside the office environment to support effective service delivery and regulatory compliance.

Desirable

• Experience within local authority licensing.
• Knowledge of licensing-related legislation.
• Experience presenting evidence at hearings, tribunals or court proceedings.
• Knowledge of regulatory investigations and enforcement processes.

Why Sheffield City Council?

At Sheffield City Council, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive working environment where employees can develop and thrive.

We welcome applications from individuals who are passionate about public service and who can bring strong technical, legislative and regulatory expertise to our Licensing Service.

We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under-represented groups. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly.

It is a great time to join us and we welcome your application.

Under the Guaranteed Interview scheme, applicants who are disabled, care leavers, or armed forces veterans will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria and indicate their eligibility on the application form. Sometimes, if lots of people apply, we might not be able to interview everyone who qualifies for the Guarantee. In these cases, we'll interview the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job.

Full-time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share

If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade.

Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026. Find out more on our Sheff news page.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone and where appropriate to the role the successful applicant will be required to undertake relevant safeguarding

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