The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 2 plus 7 letter word EX OFFICIO
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
E
X
O
F
F
I
C
I
O
More clues leading to the result EX OFFICIO
- Due to position, previous lover gone and nice Dior clothing disappeared
- Previously on holiday here, in French circle by virtue of job
- Old fellows in charge, one wearing glasses by virtue of current position
- Turning stoic if fox eats inside, in view of one’s position
- Former heads of organisation favour fomenting in-fighting craftily in order by post
- Essentially sexy and mostly bossy by virtue of position
- Former agent with a circular letter gets rid of the gangster by virtue of position
- Former love keeps away here in France by virtue of job
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "by virtue of job" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case by virtue of job = ex officio.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.