Associate, Strategic Communications

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.

 

Schillings Communications

Schillings Communications, founded by Schillings, Victoria O’Byrne and George Pascoe-Watson, makes the group the first of its kind in the market offering clients a multi-disciplinary model of legal, intelligence, investigations, digital, security, strategy, and communications all under one roof.

Our objective is to support clients with complex challenges and opportunities and to bring together mixed specialists to solve those problems as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Schillings Communications provides senior counsel during high-stakes situations, rather than steady-state PR. You will work alongside our legal, intelligence, investigations, and security practices to offer clients world-class counsel.

 

Job Title: Associate.

Reporting to: Directors.

Job Purpose: As a communications professional, you will support the development and delivery of communications strategies that protect and promote our clients’ values, brand, and reputations. Working in a collaborative environment, you will contribute to solving complex client needs while continuing to build your expertise in strategic communications. With guidance from senior colleagues, you will contribute to the creation and delivery of communications plans for clients. You will manage elements of client projects and provide well-considered solutions. As an ambassador for Schillings, you will help maintain service excellence and support business development initiatives. This is primarily a fee-earning role, so you will be responsible for meeting profitability targets and producing high quality deliverables. 

Role Accountabilities

• Support the development and delivery of strategic communications, working closely with senior colleagues.

• Build a strong understanding of clients’ businesses and issues, developing trusted relationships and clearly communicating strategies.

• Manage aspects of client work effectively, demonstrating good organisational and financial awareness (e.g., project management, scoping, billing).

• Draft and deliver client work as required, including media reporting, background research, advisory notes and more, collaborating with colleagues to ensure it is of the highest standards

• Identify client issues and escalate appropriately, collaborating with senior leadership to mitigate risks.

 • Assist with business development activities, such as drafting proposals and supporting responses to client procurement processes.

• Represent Schillings professionally at client meetings and contribute to thought leadership initiatives where appropriate.

• Continue developing your skills and knowledge, sharing best practices with peers and supporting junior colleagues where possible.

• Maintain awareness of Schillings’ services and apply them to client challenges.

 • Support senior colleagues in operational and business development tasks.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience Required

 • Solid experience in communications/reputation management, ideally with exposure to crisis communications and issues management.

 • Experience contributing to complex communications projects for demanding clients.

 • Strong writing, organisational, and project management skills; able to prioritise and manage multiple tasks effectively.

 • A proactive “doer” with high attention to detail and willingness to learn and grow.

 • Comfortable working under pressure with a flexible, growth-oriented mindset.

 • Collaborative team player with a positive attitude and ability to adapt quickly.

• Interest in current affairs and media, with commercial awareness of clients’ business interests. 

 

Please note, we will be shortlisting in January 2026. 

Life at Schillings

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.

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.

Find our candidate privacy notice here, Candidate Privacy Notice (schillingspartners.com)