Job Description

The Associate Director of Expense Analytics leads the firm's end-to-end expense management function, ensuring consistent policy application, strong governance, and operational excellence firmwide. This role oversees expense strategy, including system optimization, compliance, audit, and analytics. This role serves as part of the Travel function, partnering with Meetings, Corporate Card, Finance, and firmwide stakeholders to drive alignment and performance.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Governance

• Define and execute an expense management strategy aligned with firm growth and operating model
• Establish and enforce consistent firmwide T&E policies, ensuring audit-defensible compliance
• Drive standardization of processes, controls, and reporting across the firm

Expense Operations & Process Ownership

• Own the end-to-end expense lifecycle, including submission, audit, approval workflows, reimbursement, and financial integration
• Lead expense tool management, including configuration, process design, and continuous optimization
• Operate within the Travel function, collaborating with Meetings and Corporate Card teams to ensure seamless integration from pre-spend through post-spend processes
• Oversee vendor relationships supporting expense operations, including performance management, service delivery, and alignment with firmwide objectives
• Other duties as assigned

Policy, Compliance & Audit

• Develop and maintain T&E policy aligned with regulatory requirements and firm objectives
• Oversee audit program, including automated controls, exception handling, and compliance monitoring
• Lead escalation management and ensure consistent firmwide enforcement

Analytics & Reporting

• Deliver actionable insights on travel and expense spend, trends, and savings opportunities
• Develop dashboards and reporting to support leadership decision-making, budget oversight, and cost management
• Leverage data to enhance policy effectiveness and identify areas for improved controls or efficiency

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop a high-performing expense team across U.S. and offshore operations, audit, and analytics

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, business, or a related field required
• 8+ years of relevant experience travel & expense, finance operations, or a related field
• Experience leading and developing teams across expense operations and analytics, including U.S. and offshore resources
• Experience in implementing and managing T&E systems, automation tools, and reporting platforms (e.g., Emburse, SAP Concur)
• Strong understanding of corporate card programs, expense compliance, and audit best practices
• Advanced analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable business insights
• Ability to drive alignment across business units, supported by strong stakeholder management and executive communication skills
• Experience managing vendor relationships, including performance oversight, and service delivery
• Strong organizational skills including critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as attention to detail and multi-tasking skills.

Success Measures

• Increased global policy compliance and reduction in non-compliant spend
• Improved visibility and control of total T&E spend
• Streamlined, standardized processes across regions
• Delivery of actionable insights that drive cost savings and informed decision-making

The base salary range for this position is between $136,000 and $175,000. Placement within the pay range is at Grant Thornton's discretion, and it is based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, progression within the role, geographic location, and internal equity. At Grant Thornton, compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

Benefits:

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. For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit: https://www.grantthornton.com/careers/rewards-and-benefits

• Benefits for internship positions: Grant Thornton 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: Grant Thornton 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.