Client Relationship Executive - Commercial (Director)

Grant Thornton • Boston, MA

2d • $172,000 - $258,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Grant Thornton is hiring a Commercial Client Relationship Executive at the Director level to drive focused growth within Audit and Tax. The role combines client growth strategy, commercial selling, executive relationship management, pursuit leadership, and cross-service-line collaboration. The executive opens new client relationships, translates client needs into qualified Audit and Tax opportunities, and identifies relevant Advisory cross-sell opportunities. They shape how the firm’s capabilities are packaged and positioned, develop commercially viable solutions, and build pipeline through prospecting and relationship development.

The position leads account and pursuit strategies for priority clients and prospects, works with partners and growth and pursuit teams to align client needs with firm capabilities, and coaches teams through qualification, solutioning, pricing, negotiation, and closing. It also contributes to market presence through executive networks, industry forums, alliances, marketing campaigns, events, and thought leadership. The role requires maintaining executive-level client conversations and positioning integrated offerings, including data-driven insights, technology modernization, shared services and outsourcing, and practical AI adoption.

The role is based in Boston, Massachusetts, and follows the firm’s hybrid work model, requiring in-person attendance at least three days per week at a Grant Thornton office or client site. Travel may be up to approximately 10%, variable by portfolio. The compensation package includes base salary and bonus; the stated base salary range is $172,000 to $258,000. Grant Thornton describes its benefits as personalized and comprehensive, with details available through its careers benefits page. Employees may be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus subject to applicable plan terms and eligibility criteria.

Requirements

• At least 10 years of progressive experience in business development, Audit or Tax 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 outcomes in a matrixed professional services environment.
• Familiarity with Audit and Tax buying processes and ability to identify Advisory cross-sell opportunities.
• 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, and to operate at the intersection of strategy and go-to-market.
• Working knowledge of Audit and Tax domains, such as Assurance, Attestation, Corporate Tax, Indirect Tax, International Tax, Partnership Tax, and related technology-enabled offerings, with ability to identify relevant Advisory cross-sell opportunities.
• Experience selling and structuring multi-year Audit and Tax engagements.
• 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.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience required.
• Ability to travel up to approximately 10%, variable by portfolio.
• Ability to attend in person at least three days per week at a Grant Thornton office or client site under the firm’s hybrid work model.

Nice To Haves

• MBA or other advanced degree.

Responsibilities

• Conduct active, rigorous daily prospecting across assigned accounts, targets, and markets through outbound calls, executive meetings, and relationship development.
• Meet sales production targets and goals with discipline and minimal oversight.
• Initiate contacts systematically, pursue prospects to secure meetings, and win referrals.
• Lead Commercial account and pursuit strategies for priority clients and prospects, identifying Audit and Tax opportunities and relevant Advisory cross-sell opportunities.
• Shape integrated capabilities into clear value propositions, solution narratives, and commercially viable program structures.
• Partner with RMPs, Audit and Tax Growth Leaders, PMDs, and pursuit teams to align client needs with relevant capabilities.
• Translate client needs into scalable, differentiated solutions and collaborate with offering and solution strategy leaders to support executable, repeatable solutions.
• Develop cross-solution opportunities by identifying additional Audit, Tax, or Advisory capabilities that could strengthen pursuit strategy.
• Build executive and buyer relationships across client organizations to create access and generate qualified commercial pipeline.
• Drive proposal strategies that emphasize measurable outcomes, defined governance, and practical implementation plans.
• Position the firm’s full-service approach, 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.
• Maintain executive-level client conversations with Board and C-suite stakeholders, aligning pursuits to growth, risk, profitability, and performance priorities.
• Understand client needs and identify winning strategies; coach pursuit teams through qualification, solutioning, pricing, and closing.
• Participate in Audit and Tax sales presentations and executive working sessions, facilitating stakeholder alignment.
• Participate in pricing strategy and negotiations to support competitiveness while protecting value.
• Build effective relationships with senior partners and C-suite executives, and identify key decision makers at client and prospect organizations.
• Cultivate relationships through executive networks, industry forums, and alliances to build the firm’s relevance.
• Partner with marketing to activate events, campaigns, and thought leadership that build pipeline.

Benefits

• Personalized and comprehensive benefits; specific offerings are provided through the company’s careers benefits page.
• Employees may be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus based on individual and firm performance, subject to applicable plan terms, conditions, and eligibility criteria.
• Work-life integration options and flexibility related to work location, weekly schedule, and flex time off are described by the company.

What This Job Offers

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