Grant Thornton (US)
Relationship Strategy & Enablement Director
Grant Thornton (US), Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Relationship Strategy & Enablement Director
Join our team to apply for the Relationship Strategy & Enablement Director role at Grant Thornton (US).
About the Role:
At Grant Thornton, our unique combination of scale and agility along with industry‑specific focus helps us provide timely due diligence, transaction support and portfolio company value creation services. Serving over 1600 PE‑backed portfolio company clients with over 600 PE firm relationships, our wealth of experience in private equity helps us perform unparalleled tax and audit services for our PE firm clients and their portfolio companies.
Your Day‑to‑Day May Include:
Design and implement training modules focused on relationship management and strategic communication.
Facilitate workshops and coaching sessions for Managers, Senior Managers, Directors, and senior leaders on best practices in client and stakeholder engagement.
Develop onboarding programs for new hires entering relationship‑focused roles in private equity.
Provide subject matter expertise on cultivating and maintaining multi‑level relationships with investors, portfolio company executives, and external partners.
Train teams on negotiation strategies, conflict resolution, and stakeholder alignment.
Support the development of relationship strategies that drive long‑term value creation.
Collaborate with P&C and Learning & Effectiveness teams to integrate relationship training into broader talent development initiatives.
Assess training effectiveness through feedback, performance metrics, and ROI analysis.
Continuously refine training content based on industry trends, internal needs, and participant feedback.
Other duties as assigned.
Technical Skills and Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Business, Talent Management, or related field.
10+ years of experience in consulting, strategic operations, or training and development; ideally within professional services or PE environments.
Proven experience in private equity, investment banking, or financial services with a focus on relationship management.
Strong understanding of private equity investment cycles, portfolio management, and deal execution.
Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
Experience in adult learning, coaching, or corporate training required.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop and maintain outstanding internal and external relationships.
Experience in developing and implementing processes and procedures to enhance operational efficiency. Ability to identify opportunities for improvement and drive change.
Advanced skills with Microsoft applications: Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Highly collaborative and able to work within and through teams to achieve stated goals.
Executive coaching certifications a plus.
Ability to travel (up to 50%) as needed.
Salary Information:
The base salary range for this position in the firm’s Chicago, IL office only is between $172,000 and $258,000 per year.
The base salary range for this position in the firm’s Los Angeles, CA, Boston, MA, Iselin, NJ and New York, NY offices only is between $185,760 and $278,640 per year.
The base salary range for this position in the firm’s San Francisco, CA and San Jose, CA offices only is between $197,800 and $296,700 per year.
About Us:
At Grant Thornton, we believe in making business more personal and building trust into every result – for our clients and for you. Here, we go beyond your expectations of a career in professional services by offering a career path with more: more opportunity, more flexibility, and more support. It’s what makes us different, and we think being different makes us better.
In the U.S., Grant Thornton delivers professional services through two specialized entities: Grant Thornton LLP, a licensed, certified public accounting (CPA) firm that provides audit and assurance services – and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC (not a licensed CPA firm), which exclusively provides non‑attest offerings, including tax and advisory services.
In 2025, Grant Thornton formed a multinational, multidisciplinary platform with Grant Thornton Ireland. The platform offers a premier Trans‑Atlantic advisory and tax practice, as well as independent American and Irish audit practices. With $2.7 billion in revenues and more than 50 offices spanning the U.S., Ireland and other territories, the platform delivers a singular client experience that includes enhanced solutions and capabilities, backed by powerful technologies and a roster of 12,000 quality‑driven professionals enjoying exceptional career‑growth opportunities and a distinctive cross‑border culture.
Grant Thornton is part of the Grant Thornton International Limited network, which provides access to its member firms in more than 150 global markets.
Benefits:
Benefits for internship positions: interns are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program. Interns also receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave and are paid for firm holidays that fall within their internship period.
Benefits for seasonal employee positions: seasonal employees are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program. Seasonal employees may also be eligible to participate in the firm’s 401(k) savings plan and employee retirement plan in accordance with applicable plan terms and eligibility requirements. Seasonal employees receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave.
Grant Thornton employees may be eligible for a discretionary, annual bonus based on individual and firm performance, subject to the terms, conditions and eligibility criteria of the applicable bonus plan or program. Interns and seasonal employees are not eligible for bonus compensation.
About the Team:
Whether it’s your work location, weekly schedule, or flex time off, we empower you with the options to work in the way that best serves your clients and your life. Consistent with the firm’s hybrid work model, this position will require in‑person attendance at least two days per week, either at a GT office or client site.
Here, you are supported to prioritize your overall well‑being through work‑life integration options that work best for you and those in your household.
We understand that your needs, responsibilities and experiences are different — and we think that’s a good thing. That’s why we support you with personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles, and aspirations that make you, well, you.
When it comes to inclusion, we are committed to doing more than checking boxes. Explore all the ways we’re taking action for diversity, equity & inclusion.
If you apply and are selected to interview, a Grant Thornton team member will reach out to schedule a time to connect. We encourage you to also check out other roles that may be a good fit for you or get to know us a little bit better at https://www.grantthornton.com/careers.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
We are the policy of Grant Thornton to promote equal employment opportunities. All personnel decisions (including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, working conditions, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, evaluations, and termination) are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, veteran status, disability, genetic predisposition or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws, we provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship.
For Los Angeles applicants only: We will consider employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
For Massachusetts applicants only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. Grant Thornton does not require or administer lie detector tests.
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About the Role:
At Grant Thornton, our unique combination of scale and agility along with industry‑specific focus helps us provide timely due diligence, transaction support and portfolio company value creation services. Serving over 1600 PE‑backed portfolio company clients with over 600 PE firm relationships, our wealth of experience in private equity helps us perform unparalleled tax and audit services for our PE firm clients and their portfolio companies.
Your Day‑to‑Day May Include:
Design and implement training modules focused on relationship management and strategic communication.
Facilitate workshops and coaching sessions for Managers, Senior Managers, Directors, and senior leaders on best practices in client and stakeholder engagement.
Develop onboarding programs for new hires entering relationship‑focused roles in private equity.
Provide subject matter expertise on cultivating and maintaining multi‑level relationships with investors, portfolio company executives, and external partners.
Train teams on negotiation strategies, conflict resolution, and stakeholder alignment.
Support the development of relationship strategies that drive long‑term value creation.
Collaborate with P&C and Learning & Effectiveness teams to integrate relationship training into broader talent development initiatives.
Assess training effectiveness through feedback, performance metrics, and ROI analysis.
Continuously refine training content based on industry trends, internal needs, and participant feedback.
Other duties as assigned.
Technical Skills and Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Business, Talent Management, or related field.
10+ years of experience in consulting, strategic operations, or training and development; ideally within professional services or PE environments.
Proven experience in private equity, investment banking, or financial services with a focus on relationship management.
Strong understanding of private equity investment cycles, portfolio management, and deal execution.
Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
Experience in adult learning, coaching, or corporate training required.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop and maintain outstanding internal and external relationships.
Experience in developing and implementing processes and procedures to enhance operational efficiency. Ability to identify opportunities for improvement and drive change.
Advanced skills with Microsoft applications: Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Highly collaborative and able to work within and through teams to achieve stated goals.
Executive coaching certifications a plus.
Ability to travel (up to 50%) as needed.
Salary Information:
The base salary range for this position in the firm’s Chicago, IL office only is between $172,000 and $258,000 per year.
The base salary range for this position in the firm’s Los Angeles, CA, Boston, MA, Iselin, NJ and New York, NY offices only is between $185,760 and $278,640 per year.
The base salary range for this position in the firm’s San Francisco, CA and San Jose, CA offices only is between $197,800 and $296,700 per year.
About Us:
At Grant Thornton, we believe in making business more personal and building trust into every result – for our clients and for you. Here, we go beyond your expectations of a career in professional services by offering a career path with more: more opportunity, more flexibility, and more support. It’s what makes us different, and we think being different makes us better.
In the U.S., Grant Thornton delivers professional services through two specialized entities: Grant Thornton LLP, a licensed, certified public accounting (CPA) firm that provides audit and assurance services – and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC (not a licensed CPA firm), which exclusively provides non‑attest offerings, including tax and advisory services.
In 2025, Grant Thornton formed a multinational, multidisciplinary platform with Grant Thornton Ireland. The platform offers a premier Trans‑Atlantic advisory and tax practice, as well as independent American and Irish audit practices. With $2.7 billion in revenues and more than 50 offices spanning the U.S., Ireland and other territories, the platform delivers a singular client experience that includes enhanced solutions and capabilities, backed by powerful technologies and a roster of 12,000 quality‑driven professionals enjoying exceptional career‑growth opportunities and a distinctive cross‑border culture.
Grant Thornton is part of the Grant Thornton International Limited network, which provides access to its member firms in more than 150 global markets.
Benefits:
Benefits for internship positions: interns are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program. Interns also receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave and are paid for firm holidays that fall within their internship period.
Benefits for seasonal employee positions: seasonal employees are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program. Seasonal employees may also be eligible to participate in the firm’s 401(k) savings plan and employee retirement plan in accordance with applicable plan terms and eligibility requirements. Seasonal employees receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave.
Grant Thornton employees may be eligible for a discretionary, annual bonus based on individual and firm performance, subject to the terms, conditions and eligibility criteria of the applicable bonus plan or program. Interns and seasonal employees are not eligible for bonus compensation.
About the Team:
Whether it’s your work location, weekly schedule, or flex time off, we empower you with the options to work in the way that best serves your clients and your life. Consistent with the firm’s hybrid work model, this position will require in‑person attendance at least two days per week, either at a GT office or client site.
Here, you are supported to prioritize your overall well‑being through work‑life integration options that work best for you and those in your household.
We understand that your needs, responsibilities and experiences are different — and we think that’s a good thing. That’s why we support you with personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles, and aspirations that make you, well, you.
When it comes to inclusion, we are committed to doing more than checking boxes. Explore all the ways we’re taking action for diversity, equity & inclusion.
If you apply and are selected to interview, a Grant Thornton team member will reach out to schedule a time to connect. We encourage you to also check out other roles that may be a good fit for you or get to know us a little bit better at https://www.grantthornton.com/careers.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
We are the policy of Grant Thornton to promote equal employment opportunities. All personnel decisions (including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, working conditions, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, evaluations, and termination) are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, veteran status, disability, genetic predisposition or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws, we provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship.
For Los Angeles applicants only: We will consider employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
For Massachusetts applicants only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. Grant Thornton does not require or administer lie detector tests.
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