External Affairs Manager

National Housing Federation

Hours
35 hours per week

Length of contract
March 2027

About the Organisation

National Housing Federation (NHF) is a prominent membership organisation in England representing independent, not-for-profit housing associations. These housing associations are responsible for providing affordable homes to people in need and play a crucial role in addressing housing challenges across the country.

National Housing Federation plays a pivotal role in shaping the housing landscape in England. By representing housing associations and advocating for their interests, the NHF ensures that affordable housing remains a priority on the national agenda. It also supports the broader goal of creating equitable, sustainable, and thriving communities.

About the role

The role will involve spending a substantial amount of time in the East of England (including early starts/late finishes and overnight stays where required) and regular travel nationwide for NHF events and meetings. An exciting opportunity has arisen at the National Housing Federation (NHF) to join our team of External Affairs Managers on a fixed-term basis to cover maternity leave. The NHF is the voice of housing associations in England. We are the trade body to almost 600 housing associations, which have grown from philanthropic roots to provide 2.6 million homes to around 6 million people

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain brilliant relationships with housing association leaders, using your well-developed communication and advocacy skills to maximum effect.
• Develop knowledge, insight and understanding of housing associations to shape our policy and influence work and to create structured programmes of member engagement on critical policy and political issues.
• Contact point for housing associations in your region, ensuring they receive first-class customer service on the issues which matter to them. Working closely with NHF members, you will facilitate the organisation of regional chief executive or leaders' forums and sounding boards.
• In addition to your regional work, you will lead on the strategic planning and delivery of a key NHF policy priority. This will require collaborative working with colleagues from across the organisation and working with members across every region and specialism. You will play a leadership role, creating structured engagement strategies to ensure members are able to influence policy, as well as engaging key NHF stakeholders and sharing best practices.
• Implement structured member engagement to ensure our policy priorities, positions and influencing work are member-led. This will include working directly with members to inform our policy positions and lead our influencing work.
• Influence debates at the highest level, and you will spot in advance and act strategically to mitigate the risk to our membership. As such, this role requires a high degree of political and organisational acumen and the ability to horizon scan.
• Work with colleagues in our Commercial and Events teams to maximise commercial opportunities and help shape content at our conferences, as well as chairing conference sessions.
• To be the face and voice of the NHF with members, stakeholders and the media.
• To ensure that as an organisation we deliver as a whole team, seamlessly, to members to achieve the greatest impact in line with the business strategy.
• To maintain high-quality standards and follow NHF policy and process.

Skills, Competencies & Experience

Experience:

• Track record of operating at a senior level with directors and
• chief executives, leaders, and political stakeholders.
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience of establishing and maintaining relationships with senior stakeholders,
• demonstrating excellent customer service and value for money

Knowledge:

• Understanding of the housing sector and the issues facing our members. 

Skills and Abilities:

• Credibility and gravitas with audiences at all levels, both internally and externally, due to the style and content of communication.
• Excellent presentation skills and ability to effectively convey messages through a full range of media.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders, demonstrating diplomacy, effective communication and negotiation skills.
• Clear leadership skills, able to lead complex programmes of work effectively, including using matrix management.
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to summarise complex information effectively to aid decision-making

Compensation & Benefits

• 27 days annual leave + statutory holidays + 3 closures days over the Christmas period
• Attractive family-friendly policies;
• Private healthcare cover
• Season ticket loans
• Employee awards, training, and development opportunities.

Conditions of employment

• You must have the right to work in the UK

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the London office and remotely
• Some national travel will be required. 

How to apply

• Our recruitment process if you have a disability or have a condition that they feel may affect their performance during the recruitment process. Please email the People team at [email protected] with your request or to arrange a time to discuss in more detail.
• The application form is anonymous and will not require you to upload a CV or cover letter. Apply online

Interviews

• Interview date: 14th and 15th January 2026

Policies

NHF has published its equality, diversity, and inclusion strategy, which was co-created with staff. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and we value the contribution each individual makes to our work. We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and are working to increase the diversity profile of our workforce. We are currently under-represented by ethnic minorities, people with a disability or disabilities, and LGBTQ+, and would particularly welcome applications from people in these groups

Return to listing