Licensing Officer 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 travel-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. What we’re 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 a 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: 12th January 2026. Assessment Centre Day : 21st January 2026.