Advisory Director Client Relationship Executive - Transactions

Grant Thornton • Atlanta, GA

10d • $190,000 - $300,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Grant Thornton is seeking an Advisory Director Client Relationship Executive (CRE) to accelerate Transformation growth through executive relationships, solution orchestration, and active prospecting. The CRE acts as a client growth strategist and deal architect, translating complex client needs into integrated Advisory solutions and coordinating cross-functional teams to deliver measurable outcomes. The role combines solution strategy, pursuit leadership, and executive relationship management, shaping how capabilities are packaged and positioned in the market.

Embedded within the Grant Thornton | Stax Transactions platform, the position supports private equity funds, portfolio companies, buyers, and sellers as they evaluate opportunities, execute transactions, and create value across the deal lifecycle. Relevant solutions include diligence, valuation, transaction advisory, and value creation. The role includes daily outbound prospecting, account strategy, pursuit and pricing leadership, executive relationship development, and collaboration across Transaction service lines.

The position requires travel of up to approximately 25%, variable by portfolio. It follows Grant Thornton’s hybrid work model, requiring in-person attendance at least three days per week at a Grant Thornton office or client site. The compensation package includes base salary and bonus; the stated base salary range is $190,000 to $300,000, with placement determined by factors including skills, experience, business needs, location, and internal equity.

Requirements

• 10 or more years of progressive experience in Advisory or consulting sales, complex solution selling, or enterprise transformation pursuits with C-suite or Board-level buyers.
• Demonstrated success building and expanding executive relationships and driving measurable growth in a matrixed professional services environment.
• Experience working with private equity funds and portfolio companies, with buy-side and sell-side transaction acumen and deep commercial due diligence, financial due diligence, operations, or valuation experience.
• Strong commercial acumen, including qualification discipline, win strategy, pricing, negotiation, and executive storytelling.
• Ability to translate complex capabilities into clear value propositions and scalable pursuit narratives, operating at the intersection of strategy and go-to-market.
• Working knowledge of modern Advisory domains such as CFO Advisory, Business Consulting, Risk Advisory, Technology Modernization, Transactions, AI, and Outsourcing.
• Direct experience in professional services firms and working knowledge of partner-led, client-service organizations.
• Advanced communication and presentation skills, including executive-level decks, whiteboarding, and facilitating decision sessions.
• Experience in enterprise transformation, business consulting, ERP or platform modernization, finance transformation, or operating model change.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience required.
• Travel up to approximately 25%, variable by portfolio.

Nice To Haves

• Experience selling and structuring multi-year programs, including managed services, outsourcing, or shared services models.
• MBA or other advanced degree.

Responsibilities

• Conduct active daily prospecting across assigned accounts, targets, and markets through outbound calls, executive meetings, and relationship development.
• Meet sales production targets and systematically initiate contacts to generate opportunities, secure meetings, and win referrals.
• Lead Advisory account strategies for a defined portfolio of priority clients and prospects, identifying value levers and transformation roadmaps.
• Architect deals and solutions by combining Grant Thornton capabilities into clear value propositions, solution narratives, and commercially viable programs.
• Translate client needs into scalable, differentiated solutions with offering and solution strategy leaders.
• Drive proposal strategies focused on measurable outcomes, governance, and practical implementation plans.
• Position Grant Thornton’s full-service Advisory offering, including data-driven insights, technology modernization, and shared services or outsourcing.
• Promote responsible, practical AI adoption in pursuit narratives, coordinating with AI and risk leaders as needed.
• Engage Board- and C-suite-level clients and align Advisory pursuits with growth, risk, profitability, and performance priorities.
• Develop winning pursuit strategies, understand client needs, and coach teams through qualification, solutioning, pricing, and closing.
• Participate in sales presentations and executive working sessions, facilitating stakeholder alignment.
• Participate in pricing strategy and negotiations to remain competitive while protecting value.
• Build relationships with senior Partners, C-suite executives, and decision-makers at client and prospect organizations.
• Cultivate executive networks, industry relationships, and alliances to increase Grant Thornton’s market relevance.
• Work with marketing to activate events, campaigns, and thought leadership that build pipeline.
• Identify opportunities in private equity buy-side and sell-side transactions, commercial and financial due diligence, valuation, divestitures, and post-close value creation.
• Shape pursuits that connect investment theses and transaction objectives to diligence, advisory, and value creation solutions.
• Partner with leaders across Commercial Due Diligence, Strategy, Financial Due Diligence, Valuation, Tech M&A, Transaction Tax, and Value Creation to position differentiated solutions.

Benefits

• Personalized and comprehensive benefits; details are available through Grant Thornton’s benefits overview.
• Employees may be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus based on individual and firm performance, subject to applicable plan terms and eligibility criteria.
• Work-life integration options and flexible work arrangements under the firm’s hybrid work model.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director