Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week
Contract Type: Full-Time Permanent
Additional Payments: 6.7% Flexibility payment
Closing Date: 26 July 2026
Closing time: 11.59pm
Interview Method: Face to Face
Legal Right to Work: In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action
This role is subject to -
2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history.
Qualification - Professional Licensing Practitioners Qualification (or willing to obtain if have other relevant experience).
Driving Licence – The successful candidate must always hold a full valid driving licence as you will be required to drive a vehicle adhering to council regulations.
Are you passionate about public safety, compliance, and the success of Manchester’s thriving evening and night time economy? Do you want to play a part in the granting and regulation of licences in Manchester? Do you have the relevant skills and experience to make a difference?
We are looking for a Licensing Officer (Level 2) to join our Licensing Unit in an important new role. You will be a strong communicator, capable of high quality investigative casework, and ensure licensees comply with their requirements.
The Licensing Unit plays a vital and dynamic role in contributing to economic success and public safety in Manchester. It oversees everything from the licensing of taxis, private hire vehicles, pubs, clubs, and restaurants to street trading and special events.
If you’re successful, you’ll join a team of licensing specialists dealing with a varied and engaging caseload, including:
- assessing licence applications
- attending and presenting at licensing hearings
- enforcing licence conditions and taking legal action when necessary
- working with partner agencies
- providing training and specialist advice
For an informal discussion, please contact the hiring manager, Danielle Shore at 07789 508546 or [email protected] to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role.
We would love to hear from you if you have experience of:
Essential requirements for the role:
Skills and Experience
- Excellent communication skills – able to write clearly and speak confidently in public settings.
- Strong analytical and investigative skills – able to interpret complex information and legislation and collect evidence in accordance with best practice.
- Effective planning and time management – able to prioritise and manage workloads independently.
- Creative problem-solving – able to develop innovative solutions and make sound decisions.
- Demonstrable experience in licensing or a similar regulatory field, including enforcement activity
Technical Knowledge and Qualifications
- Professional Licensing Practitioners’ Qualification (or willingness to complete if have relevant experience).
- Detailed knowledge of the legislative and regulatory framework of a licensing authority.
- PACE Interview trained or willingness to undertake training.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).
- Full UK driving licence.
- Willingness to work a minimum of 20 night shifts per year, including weekends.
The experience below would be beneficial but is not essential:
- Experience preparing and presenting reports to Licensing Sub-Committees.
- Experience conducting PACE interviews.
- Familiarity with licensing systems and databases used in local government.
- Experience delivering training or briefings to internal and external stakeholders.
We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.
Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.
Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:
- We take time to listen and understand
- We work together and trust each other
- We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
- We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
- We’re proud and passionate about Manchester
Benefits we offer
- Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks during our annual leave purchase period.
- A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
- Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
- Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
- Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
- A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
- Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.
Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council
At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.
Support During the Process
- Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
- Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.
Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care, or have previously been in care.
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term condition
- Have you completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme or any MCC positive action programmes?
When You Join Us
We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:
- A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
- Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
- A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.
For more information about the role or any adjustments, email [email protected].
What we will need from you if you're successful
In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.
Pre-Employment Checks
If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for, see the top of the advert for details.
These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve.
Other relevant information
We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.
For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
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