Value Creation Director

Grant Thornton•Chicago, IL

1d•$223,514 - $289,171•Hybrid

About The Position

Grant Thornton's Value Creation practice partners with private equity firms and corporate clients to drive measurable results before, during and after transactions. Our professionals support mergers, acquisitions, integrations, separations, carve-outs, transformations and performance improvement initiatives. By combining strategic insight with hands-on execution, the team helps clients achieve transaction objectives, realize synergies and deliver sustainable value.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, Engineering, or a related field required; MBA or other advanced degree preferred.
Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in management consulting, transaction advisory, corporate development, integration management, separation management, or value creation.
Demonstrated experience leading complex M&A integrations, separations, carve-outs, or divestitures across multiple functional workstreams.
Hands-on experience with IMO or SMO governance, Day 1 readiness, Day 90 planning, target operating models, and Transition Service Agreements, including TSA scoping, management, or exit planning.
Demonstrated business development experience, including building client relationships and contributing to proposals, solution development, and pursuit activities.
Strong executive presence and communication skills, with experience advising senior leaders and working effectively across cross-functional teams.
Demonstrated creative problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, with experience in data analysis, financial modeling, process mapping, or operating model design.
Proven ability to lead teams, manage multiple priorities, and deliver high-quality work in fast-paced, complex transaction environments.
Ability to travel as needed.

Nice To Haves

Industry-recognized certifications such as PMI/PMP, M&A Professional (M&AP), or Certified Post Merger Integration Specialist (CPMI) preferred.

Responsibilities

Work as part of a cross-functional leadership team to manage, execute, and deliver Value Creation services for integrations, separations, and carve-outs for private equity and strategic clients.
Serve as a trusted advisor to clients throughout the transaction lifecycle, rapidly assessing operating models, identifying key risks and dependencies, and translating the investment thesis into actionable integration or separation plans.
Lead complex integration, separation, and carve-out engagements, including cross-functional planning, execution governance, and coordination across Finance, IT, HR, Supply Chain, Marketing, and other business functions.
Guide clients from diligence through close and post-close execution, including Transition Service Agreement (TSA) strategy, Day 1 readiness, Day 90 planning, TSA exit, and stabilization.
Develop target operating models, standalone cost assessments, value-driven reports, financial models, executive-level recommendations, and implementation roadmaps based on transaction impacts.
Lead Integration Management Office (IMO) or Separation Management Office (SMO) activities, including program governance, workstream coordination, dependency management, risk escalation, and executive reporting.
Lead buy-side and sell-side workstreams, including separation planning, entanglement analysis, operational readiness, and the stand-up of standalone or NewCo capabilities.
Apply appropriate data collection and analytical techniques to evaluate processes, costs, benefits, risks, and opportunities, and clearly document conclusions and recommendations.
Build and maintain trusted relationships with client executives, deal teams, functional leaders, and third parties to align priorities and drive timely decisions.
Lead and support business development activities, including opportunity identification, proposal development, solution design, scoping, budgeting, and other pursuit activities.
Contribute to the continued development of the Integration & Separation offering, including methodologies, tools, training, and market-facing thought leadership.
Coach and mentor managers, senior associates, and associates, supporting their development and promoting high-quality client delivery.
Meet or exceed targeted billing hours and other performance expectations.
Perform other duties as assigned.