What's a less obscure word for "sinecure"?
Solution 1:
I suggest nominal: (from TFD)
- existing in name only.
The position is a serious one, not just nominal.
- she is the nominal head of our college, the real work is done by her deputy. (from Cambridge Dict,)
Solution 2:
You may be looking for something like
gravy train
n. Slang
An occupation or other source of income that requires little effort while yielding considerable profit.
or, stretching a bit further afield,
make-work job
[T]he phrase "make-work" is . . . used for work that is both of negative financial benefit and also not considered to be of any other particular benefit to the national interest.
[Links point to and quoted excerpts taken from thefreedictionary.com]
Solution 3:
Figurehead (Collins English Dictionary)
- a person nominally having a prominent position, but no real authority
What you are trying to say is that this was not a figurehead position, but has responsibilities and authority...(which I imagine you will go on to describe).
Solution 4:
The term cushy is often applied to sinecures
(Of a job, task, or situation) undemanding, easy, or secure: cushy jobs that pay you to ski [Oxford Dictionaries Online]
It is usually followed by job, post, position or similar reference to an assignment.
You are clearly trying to indicate that the job is not like that of Co-ordinator of Inter-relations, the ill-defined, ineffective position held by Mr. Nat, a character created by Gene Klavan, a well-known radio personality in the 1960s.
Solution 5:
How about demanding? This word can have negative connotations, however, so you may want to qualify its use with a phrase like '...demanding and rewarding post...'.
Similarly: challenging or engaging. Perhaps a phrase like 'This will be a significant and engaging role...'.