Job Description:

Grant Thornton is seeking a Private Equity Director Client Relationship Executive (CRE) to drive growth across private equity funds and portfolio companies through deep, trust-based executive relationships, high-impact solution orchestration, and active daily prospecting. This leader serves as client growth strategist and seller, opening new doors for the with PE funds and portfolio companies. The role centers on Commercial Due Diligence while identifying additional M&A-related opportunities along the way. The PE CRE operates at the intersection of solution strategy, pursuit leadership, and executive relationship management - shaping how capabilities are packaged, positioned, and activated in the market.

Your Day-to-Day May Include:

Active Prospecting & Business Origination

• Conduct active, rigorous daily prospecting across assigned accounts, targets, and markets - originating new business through outbound calls, executive meetings, and relationship development

• Meet sales production targets and goals with discipline and minimal oversight

• Originate new sales opportunities by consistently and systematically initiating contacts; pursue prospects to secure meetings and win referrals

PE Growth Leadership & Account Strategy

• Lead PE account and pursuit strategies across assigned PE funds and portfolio companies, identifying opportunities to deliver Commercial Due Diligence services as a core focus alongside other Advisory opportunities

• Serve as the originator of new client relationships with PE funds, building relationships that open access to portfolio-wide opportunities

• Act as the deal/solution architect - shaping how GT brings capabilities together into clear value propositions, solution narratives, and commercially viable program structures

• Translate client needs into scalable, differentiated solutions; partner with offering and solution strategy leaders to ensure solutions are executable and repeatable

• Drive proposal strategies that emphasize measurable outcomes, defined governance, and practical implementation plans (not just scopes and hours)

• Position GT's full-service approach - uniting data-driven insights, technology modernization, and shared services/outsourcing to deliver speed, efficiency, and ROI at scale

• Champion responsible, practical AI adoption in pursuit narratives, coordinating with AI and risk leaders as needed

• Maintain strong executive altitude in client conversations (Board/C-suite), aligning Advisory pursuits to growth, risk, profitability, and performance priorities

Pursuit Leadership & Win Strategy

• Identify winning strategies by deeply understanding client needs; coach pursuit teams through qualification, solutioning, pricing, and closing

• Participate in solution-specific sales presentations and executive working sessions; facilitate alignment across stakeholders

• Negotiate and participate in pricing strategy to ensure GT is competitive while protecting value

Market Presence & Executive Connectivity

• Project executive presence; build effective relationships with senior Partners and C-Suite executives

• Identify key decision makers at client and prospect organizations at the C-Suite and Board levels

• Cultivate relationships across executive networks, industry forums, and alliances to build GT relevance

• In partnership with marketing, activate events, campaigns, and thought leadership to build pipeline

Operational Discipline & Firm Stewardship

• Regularly (daily) and consistently use CRM/OneView to ensure activity, pipeline, and customer data are current and decision-useful

• Participate in the Sales Verification Process (SVP) for all origination claims

• Model GT's commitment to quality, integrity, and trust in all client interactions

You Have the Following Technical Skills and Qualifications:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in professional services (commercial due diligence preferred), including experience working with private equity firms, portfolio companies, or PE-backed businesses, and experience in complex solution selling, or enterprise transformation pursuits with C-suite/Board-level buyers

• Demonstrated success building and expanding executive relationships with PE fund executives, and driving measurable growth outcomes in a matrixed professional services environment

• Ability to identify, coordinate, and advance commercial due diligence opportunities across PE funds and portfolio companies, in addition to other Advisory opportunities

• Strong commercial acumen: qualification discipline, win strategy, pricing, negotiation, and executive storytelling

• Proven ability to translate complex capabilities into clear value propositions and scalable pursuit narratives; comfort operating at the intersection of strategy and go-to-market

• Experience selling and structuring multi-year programs (including managed services / outsourcing / shared services models) preferred

• Direct experience in professional services firms, with working knowledge of how partner-led, client-service organizations operate

• Advanced communication and presentation skills (executive-level decks, whiteboarding, facilitating decision sessions)

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience required; MBA or other advanced degree preferred.

• Travel up to 10% variable by portfolio

The base salary range for this position is between $185,000 and $278,000. 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.