Associate, Investigations

Schillings is a multidisciplinary advisory firm with expertise in reputation, privacy and security. We work with UK and international clients to successfully manage high-stakes opportunities and threats, using a unique combination of capabilities: legal; intelligence; communications; security and diplomacy. We believe everyone has a right to fair treatment of their reputation, to a reasonable expectation of privacy and to feel safe.

Our experts sit within their specialist team but day-to-day work in multidisciplinary teams solving client problems. They are supported by our business services teams: Clients and Markets, HR, Finance, Risk and Compliance, IT and Client Services. Because we are a growth business, opportunities appear in all areas and at all levels. We have the largest team of specialist media lawyers in the world, an expanding Intelligence & Investigations team, a growing Critical Risks unit, an evolving Digital Resilience practice, and a new communications agency – Schillings Communications – that will grow significantly in the next three years.

Schillings is a collaborative, fun and welcoming place to work, with a positive culture, strong values and a developed service ethic. We require commitment, diligence, agility and professionalism, and in return provide competitive packages and incredibly stimulating 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 trajectory and longevity at Schillings is a good example of this: a third of our people have been at the business for over five years. Join us and become part of our story.

As an Associate, you will manage a variety of investigative work and oversee analysts in their research and writing process; ensure accuracy and quality of work product; and deliver detailed reports, analyses, and strategic advice for clients. On multi-disciplinary matters, you will showcase the expertise and capabilities of the Investigations & Intelligence team and oversee investigative workstreams, under the supervision of Directors and Partners. Additionally, you will foster excellence across the team and the firm by contributing to training efforts and upskilling junior staff. This may include offering best practice guidance to investigators with aligned specialisms, such as regional expertise.

• Lead and oversee key aspects of investigations from start to finish, supervising junior staff while collaborating with Partners and Directors to devise effective client solutions.
• Deliver high-quality research and analysis for clients and colleagues that address critical problems, questions, and objectives—often under tight deadlines.
• Regularly review and edit written output from analysts to ensure accuracy and quality.
• Consistently manage projects within budget while meeting deadlines.
• Provide regular updates and progress reports to senior managers.
• Proven ability to remain composed under pressure and swiftly respond to urgent requests and competing deadlines.
• Intrinsic curiosity and tenacity in uncovering information, paired with investigative persistence and meticulous attention to detail.
• Explore and implement new tools, technologies, and methodologies to improve investigative processes.
• Strengthen the team’s collective knowledge of resources, software, and jurisdictional information.
• Assist with both formal and informal team training initiatives.
• Potential line management responsibilities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience Required:

• Language skills are highly desirable, particularly Russian, Turkish or Spanish.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in the corporate intelligence sector or similar industries.
• Experience managing investigations, providing crisis response and/or conducting risk analyses.
• Experience managing OSINT research across multiple jurisdictions. This includes knowledge of country-specific public records as well as open-source tools and databases.
• Exceptional written communication and persuasive drafting skills; uses succinct, clear writing with excellent spelling and grammar; and presents well-structured research and arguments aimed to fulfil client objectives.
• Ability to work calmly under pressure and respond nimbly to urgent requests and competing deadlines.
• Interest and awareness in current affairs, including geopolitical developments.
• Intrinsically curious and hungry to find out information. Demonstrates investigative persistence and exceptional attention to detail.
• Desire to keep current with new investigative tools, methods, sources, and challenges.
• Commitment to providing exceptional service to internal and external clients, often under pressure.
• Enthusiasm for multidisciplinary collaboration with colleagues from diverse fields.
• Critical and creative thinking in addressing client issues and producing deliverables.
• A strong team player with a positive, ‘can do’ attitude.

Given our audacious (and successful) 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 and are remarkably non-hierarchical, especially given our roots as a law firm. Schillings has adopted a set of values to put at the heart of this change 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 the 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.