Licensing Service Manager

Application closing date: 8th November 2026

Good Growth

Good Growth is responsible for delivering and implementing the Mayor’s environment, transport and economic strategies and for the effective implementation of the London Plan. The Directorate is also responsible for regeneration (where the programme is not housing led), enterprise, growth, capital projects and design work.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Culture, Creative Industries and 24-Hour London (CCI24) Unit delivering the Mayor’s and the Strategic Licensing policy.

You’ll be at the heart of a fast-paced, cross-organisational effort to design and implement new licensing powers.

This is a unique opportunity to:

• Support and shape a new policy and regulatory function within the GLA

• Drive innovation in how licensing supports London’s economic and cultural vibrancy

• Work with senior stakeholders across government, industry, and the city

• Make a visible impact on how London works, plays, and grows

What your day will look like

• Lead and develop a talented licensing team, creating an inclusive environment where people can thrive and deliver their best work.

• Oversee a diverse portfolio of licensing activity, ensuring interventions are evidence-led, proportionate and effective.

• Take ownership of complex and high-profile cases, providing expert advice and direction on operational and strategic issues.

• Build productive relationships with boroughs, enforcement partners, responsible authorities and industry stakeholders across London.

• Use data, insight and feedback to improve performance, manage risk and enhance service delivery.

• Represent the Strategic Licensing Service at senior meetings and partnership forums, influencing key discussions and decisions.

• Help shape and embed a brand-new service, designing processes, standards and approaches that will have a lasting impact.

• Drive a culture of continuous improvement, identifying new opportunities to strengthen the Mayor's ambitions for a safer and more vibrant night-time economy.

Essential Skills, knowledge and experience

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

1. Significant experience leading operational services within a licensing, regulatory, enforcement, public protection, or comparable public sector environment, including management of complex and sensitive casework.

1. Demonstrable experience of leading, managing and developing high performing teams, including performance management, workforce planning and fostering an inclusive culture.

1. Experience of building and maintaining effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including senior leaders, partner organisations and external agencies.

1. Proven ability to analyse complex information, assess risk and make sound, evidence-based decisions in a high-profile and politically sensitive environment.

1. Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and confidently to a range of audiences.

1. Strong programme, operational and resource management skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities and deliver results to tight deadlines.

1. Experience of leading organisational change, embedding new ways of working and supporting teams through periods of development and transformation.

1. A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to delivering services that meet the needs of London's diverse communities.

Desirable Skills, knowledge and experience

• Sound knowledge of the Licensing Act 2003, including the licensing objectives, application process, review procedures, and the role of Responsible Authorities.

Behavioural Competencies

Building & Managing Relationships

Level 3 indicators of effective performance

• Actively engages partners and encourages others to build relationships that support GLA objectives

• Understands and recognises the contributions that staff at all levels make to delivering priorities

• Proactively manages partner relationships, preventing or resolving any conflict

• Adapts style to work effectively with partners, building consensus, trust and respect

• Delivers objectives by bringing together diverse stakeholders to work effectively in partnership

Communicating & Influencing

Level 3 indicators of effective performance

• Encourages and supports teams in engaging in transparent and inclusive communication

• Influences others and gains buy-in using compelling, well-thought-through arguments

• Negotiates effectively to deliver GLA priorities

• Synthesises the complex viewpoints of others, recognises where compromise is necessary and brokers agreement

• Advocates positively for the GLA both within and outside the organisation

Planning & Organising

Level 3 indicators of effective performance

• Monitors allocation of resources, anticipating changing requirements that may impact work delivery

• Ensures evaluation processes are in place to measure project benefits

• Gains buy-in and commitment to project delivery from diverse stakeholders

• Implements quality measures to ensure directorate output is of a high standard

• Translates political vision into action plans and deliverables

Decision Making

Level 3 indicators of effective performance

• Makes sound decisions quickly on behalf of the GLA when a situation requires intervention

• Takes responsibility for team decisions, providing rationale when those decisions are questioned

• Involves senior stakeholders early in decisions that impact them

• Analyses organisational risks associated with decisions, including those with long-term impacts, before committing to action

• Encourages others in the team to make decisions in their own area of expertise, take appropriate risks and learn from experience

Organisational Awareness

Level 3 indicators of effective performance

• Uses understanding of differences between the GLA and its partners to improve working relationships

• Helps others understand the GLA and the complex environment in which it operates

• Translates changing political agendas into tangible actions

• Considers the diverse needs of Londoners in formulating GLA objectives and programmes

• Helps others understand how the media and external perceptions of the GLA influence work

Level 3 indicators of effective performance

• Motivates and inspires others to perform to their best, recognising and valuing their work and encouraging them to learn and reflect

• Sets clear direction and expectations and enables others to interpret competing priorities

• Agrees and monitors challenging, achievable performance objectives in line with GLA priorities

• Manages performance issues effectively to avoid adverse impact on team morale and performance

• Promotes a positive team culture that respects diversity and deals with barriers to inclusion

This role is based at London Fire Brigade’s Head Office (Union Street SE1 0LL).

How to apply

If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following:

• Up to date CV

• Personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria outlined above in the advert.
  
  

Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement have a maximum file size of 1.5MB each and upload your Personal Statement to the ‘CV and Cover Letters’ section’ of the form, ensuring you address the technical requirements and competencies in your Personal Statement.

Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.g., “CV – applicant name - 012345)

As part of GLA’s continuing commitment to be an inclusive and equal opportunity employer we will be removing personal identifiable information from CVs and Personal Statements that could cause discrimination. 

We may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
If you have questions about the role

If you wish to talk to someone about the role, the hiring manager Mia Lewis would be happy to speak to you. Please contact them at mia.lewis@london.gov.uk.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, contact the glaopdcrecruitment@tfl.gov.uk who support the GLA with recruitment.

is this role elgible for sponsorship

This role DOES NOT meet the criteria for sponsorship for external candidates.

Assessment process

This role is open to inward secondments, we particularly welcome applications from candidates with backgrounds within local authority licensing teams.

This is a fixed-term contract with the potential to become permanent, subject to organisational requirements, funding and approval.

If you are a GLA employee applying for an internal fixed-term position, as an internal secondment opportunity, you must ensure you satisfy the following secondment policy criteria listed below before applying 

• On a permanent contract or a fixed term contract where the time left on the contract at the point at which you apply for secondment is longer than the secondment period;

• successfully completed your probation period and are performing to the required standard for your current role; and

• at least 18 months service with the GLA 

If you do meet the criteria listed above, you will need to complete the Approval for secondment application form and gain line manager approval, before emailing the fully completed form to the Resourcing Assistant who is managing the vacancy. This form must be received by the closing date of the vacancy. Failure to provide this form will mean your application cannot be progressed.

If you are unable to satisfy all of the criteria, unfortunately, you are not eligible to apply for this vacancy as an internal secondment.  For further information, please see Secondment Policy and Procedure.

IMPORTANT: If you are a current GLA employee on a fixed-term contract, which is due to end BEFORE the end date of this vacancy, you DO NOT NEED to complete the Approval for secondment application form as it is not a secondment.

If you are successful in securing this secondment opportunity, you will need to be released from your existing role, so please ensure that you make your line manager aware of your application.

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