Jobs and Careers

Director, Investigations, Security & Diplomacy

12 Arthur Streetfull_timeVerifiedPosted 19 Jun 2026

About the role

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.

Job Title: Director, Intelligence, Security and Diplomacy (ISD)

Accountable to: Partners leading ISD

Day-to-day supervision of: Team members delivering intelligence gathering, advisory, private diplomacy and investigatory services.

Direct reports: Senior Associates / Associates

Job Purpose

This role is responsible for leading a high performing team and delivering excellence in client delivery through overall management of the ISD team. It is a hybrid role involving client facing work and team leadership. This role will work closely with the ISD Partners and other Directors, with the remit to lead and deliver:

High quality client work
Resource planning: Working with the Resourcing team to maximise utilisation and ensure effective resourcing of matters
Operational efficiencies and management: Ensuring effective working practices and identifying and addressing operational issues in collaboration with the Head of Fee-Earning Operations & Resourcing
Input into annual budget
ISD team strategy and plan
Commercial results: working closely with Finance and partners to ensure the team is performing against financial targets

Role Accountabilities

Client Work

Lead the delivery of complex investigations and multidisciplinary advisory matters, working with Partners to shape strategy, manage risk and ensure work is delivered to agreed client, quality, budget and timeline expectations.
Act as number two to partners and, where appropriate, day-to-day client lead, providing clear advice, anticipating client needs and ensuring responsive, high-quality client communication.
Build trusted client, Partner and colleague relationships, identifying opportunities to deepen existing mandates or support new client opportunities.
Take ownership of the commercial and operational performance of matters, including scope, resourcing, fees, profitability, billing discipline and the quality of reports, analysis and advice.

Leadership and management

Work with ISD Partners/CFO to lead and manage the team and to deliver on the agreed targets within the business plan/budget.
Work with directors across the business on issues relating to communication, resources and opportunities for cross business collaboration.
Overall development and coaching of the team.

People

Working closely with partners and the Talent team, you will:

Work to deliver resourcing plan for ISD as outlined in budget.
Work to shape desired culture and sustainably develop the team. This includes encouraging a culture of delivering honest and in the moment feedback.
Ensure we have the capabilities, skills and experience to deliver excellence for clients and provide meaningful careers. Helping people reach their full potential.
Role model Schillings values and align the ISD team with business’ goals and overarching strategy.

Finance

Manage utilisation levels across team.
Work with management team (including CFO/Head of Finance) to assist in delivery of financial targets; managing working capital across the