Director, Security

Division: Investigations, Security and Diplomacy (ISD)

Job Title: Director, Security

Accountable to: Partner

Day-to-day supervision of: Associates, Analysts

Job Purpose: 

We are expanding our ability to offer high stakes security advice (physical and digital) to our international private and corporate clients. These missions are delivered as part of a package of other measures (for example legal steps, private or public diplomacy, strategic communications, risk and crisis management and negotiation tasks). We need an individual with drive and expertise to help scale up this aspect of our business.

You will be required to be in the market, help the Partners win new business, scope client needs, design operational mandates, and execute projects in collaboration with teams across the firm and our external partner companies. You will also contribute to developing our knowledge and expertise in security-related fields and spreading best practice, through continuous improvement of our standard operating procedures, policies, guidelines, case studies and training.

The role requires a flexible and diligent approach, and you will need to be comfortable making high-pressure judgement calls in close collaboration with the relevant Partner. You will also need to be available for client emergencies, out-of-hours demands or travel. This will be balanced with the routine office-based rigour that makes our services sustainable and successful.

This is a fee earning role and includes day-to-day responsibility for meeting fee and profitability targets. The role will suit dynamic, entrepreneurial individuals looking to build a book of business within a respected brand.

Although the primary client asset this role focuses on is security, the desire to understand, build relationships with and work hand in hand with all of our other capabilities is essential.

Role Accountabilities:

• Lead the development and formalisation of our ability to design, market, sell and deliver security projects (physical and digital), in collaboration with others with expertise in security, law, intelligence, communications and diplomacy.
• Win new business with a security (digital and physical) flavour, especially that which attracts clients’ interest in a range of Schilling services.
• Latch onto client needs, emerging from direct conversations with clients or referrers, or from internal dialogue; and scope clients’ requirements, matching mandates to needs and getting them approved and fees agreed.
• Innovate by conducting research and development of client solutions: introducing new products, frameworks, methodologies and services where appropriate.
• Working closely with the Partner, manage client relationships and expectations, anticipating client needs and providing timely advice to ensure the highest standard of client care and communication.
• Meet identified business targets for chargeable hours, billing and cash collection, demonstrating good financial management of debtors, disbursements and work in progress.
• Represent Schillings at international events, conferences and with insightful thought leadership.
• As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contribute to the leadership and development of the wider team, helping to build capability, support high performance and foster a collaborative culture.
• As a recognised expert in your fields, develop the skills and experience of other fee-earners, sharing knowledge and best practice to the benefit of the firm, its clients and employees.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Significant relevant experience, typically 10+ years, working with private clients and high-profile individuals.
• You may have a military or government background in delivering complex assignments in high-stakes environments.
• Demonstrable interest in geopolitics and their impact on our clientele; and global issues that affect personal and corporate reputations, privacy, and security in particular.
• A proven ability to enhance our private diplomatic offerings is a plus. As is experience in gathering or utilising intelligence.
• Demonstrable experience in making informed and appropriately risk managed assessments of geopolitical and security developments.
• An effective problem solver who thinks strategically and translates clients’ business issues into solutions.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and project management skills.  
• Self-starter with a commercial outlook, demonstrating a high degree of personal initiative, drive and ambition to grow new services, and the ability to navigate ambiguity.