Job Description

About Watford Borough Council:
Watford is an urban borough in South West Hertfordshire; the borough has excellent transport links with mainline rail connections to London. Watford is the centre of a sub-region serving around 500,000 people living within a 20 minute travelling time catchment. As part of the London commuter belt, Watford is strongly influenced by London, which brings the benefits of a buoyant economy.

At a glance:
- 1.4bn local investment happening - mix of public and private funding
- 5 major development and regeneration projects happening
- 3,500 registered businesses
- Higher than average working age population
- Skilled workforce
- Home to many major international head offices

Watford is big enough to be bold and small enough for you to make a difference. We are one of a handful of local authorities with a directly elected mayor providing stability and strong leadership.

Contract: 7 month fixed term contract
Hours: 15 hours per week
Salary: 33,106 per annum (pro rata)

The Role
As a Licensing Officer, you will oversee a wide range of the Council's licensing functions, ensuring strict adherence to legal and policy standards. Key responsibilities include:

Serving as a point of contact for all licensing enquiries from customers, partners, and members. Managing face to face operational requirements and promptly responding to phone and email enquiries. Administering online booking systems, processing payments, and facilitating essential services for customers. Identifying and resolving instances of non-compliance with policy or statutory requirements through engagement with licence holders. Escalating unresolved issues to senior management as needed. You will be responsible for managing licensing functions including taxis and private hire vehicles, alcohol, entertainment, gambling, late-night refreshment premises, charity collections, street traders, pavement licences, lotteries, and various minor licences.
If you have a strong grasp of regulatory frameworks, excellent communication skills, and thrive in a role where attention to detail and compliance are crucial, we encourage you to apply.

What were looking for?
Join our team as a Licensing Officer and contribute to ensuring compliance and efficiency across the Council's licensing functions. We're seeking a candidate who can:

Demonstrate understanding or previous experience in local authority licensing functions, including the Licensing Act 2003, Gambling Act 2005, hackney carriage and private hire licensing, and other local licensing regulations. Exhibit proven ability to prioritise, plan effectively, and manage time to consistently meet challenging deadlines. Possess strong communication skills, both verbal and written, capable of engaging effectively with diverse audiences. Implement a risk-based approach to uphold licensing objectives and adhere to the Council's Compliance Policy, including promptly addressing non-compliance issues.
If you are passionate about licensing, eager to ensure regulatory compliance, and thrive in a dynamic environment, we encourage you to apply!

A basic DBS check will be carried out.

Closing Date: 14 December 2025

Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 7 months

Pay: 30,000.00-33,106.00 per year

Expected hours: 15 per week

Work Location: In person