Press and Communications Officer

The Chartered Institute of Housing; Coventry; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Private health care

Pension scheme

CIH membership

Professional development

Collaborative workspace

Job summary

The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is seeking a Press and Communications Officer to join our Policy, Communications and External Affairs team. This hybrid role combines home-based work with time at our CIH offices in Coventry or Edinburgh, 35 hours per week.

You will craft engaging content for external channels, manage media relationships, and support CIH’s voice as the leading housing profession’s advocate.

Qualifications

• Excellent writing and editing abilities for a variety of external channels.
• Understanding of the media landscape and news agendas.
• Ability to develop engaging content and hooks for audiences.

Responsibilities

• Amplify CIH’s presence as the leading voice for housing professionals.
• Create and tailor content for external channels and audiences.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, members, partners and stakeholders.
• Manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Skills

Writing skills

Media relations

Stakeholder management

Job description

Policy, communications and external affairs

Full time

Permanent

We are now inviting applications to fill the following vacancy:

Job title: Press and communications officer

Band: 5

Location/base: Hybrid – Home / CIH office in Edinburgh or Coventry, occasional travel around the UK will be required.

Hours: 35 hours per week

About us

The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is the professional body supporting housing professionals to create a future in which everyone has a place to call home.

About you

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and experienced press and communications officer to join our team, to help amplify CIH’s presence as the leading voice for the housing profession.

We’re seeking an individual with an eye for detail and excellent writing skills, with the ability to generate relevant, timely and engaging content for a variety of external channels and audiences. You’ll understand the media landscape, news agendas and how to create content with an engaging hook.

You'll thrive in a fast-paced environment, balancing competing priorities and managing multiple projects simultaneously. A strong team player, you'll enjoy collaborating with colleagues across the organisation while also being confident working independently, taking ownership of your work and using your initiative to deliver results.

You'll have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective relationships with a wide range of colleagues, members, partners and stakeholders. Organised, adaptable and proactive, you'll enjoy working across a broad mix of communications projects and contributing to a busy, supportive and high-performing team.

Working alongside a team of creative and enthusiastic communications professionals, this role reports directly to the head of communications.

CIH is committed to equal opportunities at all stages of recruitment and selection and strives to have a workforce that promotes inclusivity. We welcome applicants from all sectors of the community. If you feel you have barriers to applying, please get in touch as we would be happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to achieve and celebrate diversity.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 25 October 2026

Interviews will be done in a two-stage process, with first round interviews due to take place on Monday 9 November 2026

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

We want you to enjoy working at CIH, so it’s really important to us that we offer benefits that you value. Take a look below at some of the things you can take advantage of when you join us:

A good work/life balance

• 25 days holiday, plus eight bank holidays as standard (pro-rated for part-time colleagues) plus, gifted days off over Christmas and New Year
• Flexible working to accommodate your work and personal commitments – we value outcomes and recognise that everyone has a unique working style
• Access to our employee assistance programme for life’s challenges
• Policies to support you with big life changes or difficult times, such as the menopause and caring responsibilities
• Enhanced maternity and paternity packages
• Private health care with the option to purchase for family members
• Generous sick pay allowance
• Financial support for eye tests and help with the cost of glasses
• Cycle to work scheme.

Financially supporting you and your family

• Access to CIH Plus, our employee discount portal to help your salary go further
• Income protection scheme in case of an extended period of illness
• Death in service benefit equivalent to three times your salary
• Helping you save for the future by contributing to a defined contribution pension scheme.
• Full CIH membership – access all our member-exclusive content to build your housing knowledge
• A commitment to your professional development
• A flexible office space encouraging collaborative working.