Associate, Digital Resilience

Schillings handles high stakes opportunities and threats for an international clientele: successful individuals, businesses and high-profile organisations across the world. We support our clients to achieve their goals by developing winning strategies to protect their freedom to operate, and are the first port of call in a crisis, defending our clients from attacks on their reputations, privacy and security. Schillings’ offer is unique to the market, combining strategic communications with law, intelligence & investigations, digital resilience and security. Schillings is a collaborative and welcoming place to work, with a positive culture, strong values and a developed service ethic. We require commitment, diligence, curiosity, agility and professionalism, and in return provide competitive packages, stimulating challenges and interesting work. We are committed to sharing learning and creating development opportunities so you can progress your career with us. Our people’s career trajectories and average longevity at Schillings underline this. Join us and become part of our story.

The Digital Resilience team at Schillings are experts at using digital methods – across communications strategy, search, digital media and AI – to build reputational resilience and manage clients through crises. As an Associate in the Digital Resilience team, you will work closely with the Head of Social (Director) and the wider team to deliver joined-up communications and digital strategies that address high-stakes challenges and opportunities for our clients. You will be trusted to own defined workstreams end-to-end, supporting the design and execution of digital strategies, developing best-in-class content, leading paid social media campaigns, and monitoring the information environment to inform broader reputational and communications strategy. You will work with the wider Digital Resilience team to support clients in crisis, including monitoring and reporting on live issues and providing expert advice on rebuilding and recovery. This role requires someone who is proactive, confident and energised by working in a multidisciplinary environment. You will be expected not only to deliver excellent work, but to contribute ideas, challenge thinking where appropriate, and actively look for opportunities to add value to clients and to the firm.

The successful candidate will be a digitally fluent strategist who has operated in high-pressure environments, understands the critical value of teamwork and strong team culture, and is comfortable putting themselves forward internally and externally.

Role Accountabilities

• Understanding and implementing digital strategies for our clients, including briefing and driving the creation of digital content across organic and paid channels.
• Connecting digital activity to wider communications strategy, ensuring all work supports clear narrative, positioning and reputational objectives.
• Analysing (the right) data across social media platforms, tools, news and other sources to inform and advise on campaign and communications strategies.
• Producing high-quality, time-sensitive reports and presentations that are insight-led and commercially relevant, according to the cadence expected by clients and stakeholders.
• Staying informed on social media and digital trends and best practices, applying this knowledge to enhance campaign effectiveness and support client objectives.
• Visualising and presenting data and concepts creatively to inform digital strategies for clients and internal stakeholders.
• Overseeing the delivery of work from more junior colleagues on specific projects.
• Taking ownership of defined workstreams, proactively identifying risks and opportunities, and escalating or acting as needed.
• Contributing to internal discussions, pitches and client strategy sessions with confidence and clarity.

Knowledge, Skills And Experience Required

• 7+ years’ experience in a similar role, with strong expertise in digital resilience and communications (including digital marketing, strategic communications, social listening, digital forensics and analysis).
• Experience working within or alongside broader communications or PR strategy, with the ability to translate digital insight into reputational impact.
• A demonstrated interest in and knowledge of politics and current affairs.
• Familiarity with social monitoring and listening tools (for example, Google Analytics, Hootsuite, Talkwalker, Ahrefs, Semrush, SimilarWeb, Sprout Social, Brandwatch), with a proven ability to create and present reports and dashboards that communicate findings clearly and convincingly.
• High proficiency in using social media platforms and their analytics functions, such as YouTube, Facebook, X, TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to create impactful content and present strategic advice effectively.
• Proven ability to manage projects independently in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, handling multiple priorities and delivering results under pressure.
• Ability to delegate effectively, and to support the work and development of less experienced colleagues.
• A proactive, self-starting mindset with high levels of personal accountability and ownership.
• Confidence to contribute ideas, challenge constructively, and represent the team in internal and client-facing environments.
• Enthusiasm to collaborate with colleagues across the firm and different teams.
• Genuine interest in working in a multidisciplinary environment and an appreciation of how digital integrates with legal, intelligence, communications and risk.

Life at Schillings

Given our bold and innovative business strategy, it is not surprising that Schillings has a very strong culture. The atmosphere is highly collaborative and focused on excellence. We have worked hard over the years to develop a coaching culture. Schillings has adopted a set of values to put at the heart of this and they reflect the intention and tenor of our ambitious plans. They are: ‘Innovative; Bold; United; and Excellent’. Our client list speaks for the outstanding results that have been delivered over many years and the task now is to grow without losing any of the commitment to delivering for clients or our service ethos. Finding people who share our values and can thrive in this environment is key to our success. It takes a unique mix of people to create something truly great. We appreciate that diversity of thought, background and culture creates the best environment to truly innovate, solve problems and achieve our goals. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds – if you are driven and want to achieve your best then we will give you the platform and support to succeed. Please let us know if there are any extenuating circumstances we should consider, or any adjustments we may need to make to our selection process, when making your application.