Associate Director – Regulation
Salary: £92,995.00 - £104,484.00
Location: Dudley, West Midlands – on site
Employer: Dudley MBC
Be the change. Lead the future. Improve lives.
Dudley Council is seeking an outstanding individual to join our senior leadership team as the Associate Director for Regulation. This high-impact, high-profile role is central to the Council's improvement journey, focusing on upholding the highest standards of governance and championing continuous improvement.
You will drive strategic and operational change, work closely with Directors and Group Directors, and lead regulatory functions and their associated resources to enhance community well-being, promote sustainability, deliver key priorities aligned with our vision, and ensure proper compliance and effective business operations of the council.
You will be part of the Council’s senior leadership team, driving the transformation agenda by maximising technology and automation, fostering a culture of high performance, and ensuring modernised, efficient services that prioritise customers.
Are you ready to take on a pivotal role in ensuring the effective delivery, management, and compliance of key regulatory services? We are seeking a dynamic leader to oversee the following areas:
* Development management (LPA)
* Trading standards
* Food safety
* Environmental health & safety compliance (including safety advisory groups)
* Noise and statutory nuisance
* Private sector housing regulation
* Tree preservation orders (TPOs)
* Licensing (alcohol, taxis, premises, etc.)
* Enforcement
In this role, you will coordinate cross-disciplinary teams to manage complex regulatory issues and casework, ensuring clear evidence of collaboration and greater awareness among residents, elected members, and key stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities:
* Oversee all Council enforcement activities (except parking)
* Set performance standards, monitor service delivery, and maximise the use of data and technology to drive improvement and transformation
* Lead quality assurance processes to ensure services meet local and national benchmarks
* Ensure regulatory services operate within legal frameworks and council policies
* Maintain robust systems for risk management, legal compliance, and public accountability
* Collaborate closely with the Corporate Procurement, Commissioning, and Contract Management teams to ensure effective outcomes across all purchasing, procurement, commissioning, and contract management activities
* Align provision with needs, develop robust specifications, achieve best value, and demonstrate measurable impact
* Work with wider teams to collaborate on education, awareness, and self-help programmes
* Contribute to the Council’s corporate transformation programme, aligning with the organisation’s new operating model and long-term objectives
If you are a proactive leader with a passion for regulatory services and a commitment to excellence, we want to hear from you!
Dudley is a borough on the rise — ambitious, inclusive and committed to change. Join us and play a central role in helping our residents live healthier, more independent lives. This is a unique opportunity to influence the future direction of the Council, working at the forefront of innovation and governance.
As an equal opportunities employer, Dudley Council is committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Application Process
Applications close: Wednesday 29 October 2025.
The recruitment process will be to undertake technical interviews with longlisted applicants to confirm the shortlist. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to assessment centres and attend final interviews.
All applicants must be able to provide documentation to prove their right to work in the UK.
Dudley Council will check the information that you have provided against any details already held for accuracy and completeness. The Council will check, share and cross match your information both internally within the council and with external organisations to protect public funds and prevent or detect crime, only where the law allows us to do so.
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