Principal Enforcement Officer (Trading Standards)
The Role
Protecting the community and safeguarding legitimate business by undertaking enforcement and compliance work using trading standards and related regulatory legislation.
The team forms part of the Council's Regulatory services division which is based at our corporate headquarters just a few minutes walk from London Bridge Station.
Regulatory Services encompasses a wide range of public protection and environmental health functions, all working to deliver the goals in Southwark's 2030 strategy. This sets out the shared vision that together we will build a fair, green and safe Southwark where everyone can live a good life as part of a strong community.
Trading Standards priorities include doorstep crime and fair trading issues, age restricted sales, the illegal economy in illicit, fake or unsafe goods, and rogue landlords and letting agents.
About You:
As a senior member of the team you will lead on enforcement and compliance activities in one or more specialist areas, such as product safety and age restricted sales. Experience of criminal investigations and prosecution work in an intelligence led environment is vital along with an appreciation of financial investigations under proceeds of crime legislation.
You must have a comprehensive knowledge of the technical and legal aspects of the role and the ability to manage a complex caseload. You will hold a qualification relevant to trading standards or investigative work.
Strong communication skills are important as you will be expected to represent the Council in a variety of forums. You should also be experienced in partnership working with other regulatory professionals and partners to deliver an effective service.
You will have the skills needed to undertake a supervisory role and tasks related to the professional development of other colleagues.
About Southwark:
We are the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues and social enterprises and we have a young, diverse and growing population.
At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.
Additional details
Benefits and more information:
Flexible working options and an essential car user allowance are available. DBS checks will be required.
In your role, we want you to feel supported, challenged and rewarded. You will benefit from our family-friendly policies including flexible working, home working, and a local government pension scheme, plus many other staff benefits. You will join a motivated, driven and supportive team that strives for excellence and values its members. You will also be part of a successful and high-achieving development team that is making a real difference to the lives of residents in the borough. For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit our Staff Benefits page.
Recruitment Timetable
Advert closes: 13 July 2025
Shortlisting: 16 July 2025
Interviews: 5 August 2025
Guaranteed Interview Scheme:
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:
• 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 health condition
We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together programme. We particularly welcome applications from members of the Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.
Attachments
Salary range
- £48,618 - £55,710 per year