Value Creation Senior Associate

Grant Thornton • Chicago, IL

1h • $128,800 - $164,220 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Value Creation Senior Associate works with private equity and corporate clients to evaluate operational opportunities and support execution across the transaction lifecycle. The role is part of Grant Thornton | Stax Transactions Practice and focuses on operational due diligence, cost assessments, synergy analysis, integration and separation planning, and post-close execution. Working with experienced professionals and other diligence teams, the associate helps clients assess risks, identify opportunities, and develop actionable plans to maximize value before and after a transaction.

The position involves quantitative and qualitative analysis, developing client recommendations and deliverables, and helping coordinate client relationships and project delivery. The role requires travel as needed and in-person attendance at least three days per week at a Grant Thornton office or client site under the firm’s hybrid work model. The stated base salary range is $128,800 to $164,220, with placement based on factors including relevant skills, experience, business needs, location, and internal equity.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in transaction advisory, management consulting, operational due diligence, integration and separation, corporate strategy, private equity, or a related field.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including financial analysis, data modeling, and process mapping.
• Ability to synthesize complex information into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to travel as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Industry-related certifications are a plus.
• Experience supporting one or more of the following: operational due diligence; cost assessments and performance improvement; synergy analysis; M&A integration; carve-out and separation planning; or Day 1 and 100-day planning.

Responsibilities

• Support buy-side and sell-side transaction engagements in coordination with Financial Due Diligence, IT, Supply Chain, Human Capital, and other diligence teams.
• Conduct operational due diligence to assess business performance, operational risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Support cost and cash optimization initiatives, including spend baselining, cost diagnostics, and identification of EBITDA improvement opportunities across operations, procurement, SG&A, and overhead; size value at the initiative level and track it through execution.
• Perform standalone, one-time, and stranded cost assessments.
• Assist with synergy assessments and interdependency analyses.
• Support Day 1 readiness and 100-day planning efforts.
• Develop integration and separation plans, from high-level blueprints to detailed multi-phase workplans.
• Provide Integration Management Office (IMO), Separation Management Office (SMO), and Transition Management Office (TMO) support.
• Assist with Transition Services Agreement (TSA) scoping and schedule preparation.
• Support operating model design and organizational structure planning.
• Contribute to change management and stakeholder communication efforts.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, presentations, and client deliverables.
• Perform quantitative and qualitative analyses to identify opportunities and support recommendations.
• Help coordinate client relationships and ensure timely delivery of high-quality work.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Personalized and comprehensive benefits; details are available through the company’s benefits information.
• Employees may be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus based on individual and firm performance, subject to plan terms, conditions, and eligibility criteria.
• Work-location, weekly-schedule, and flex-time-off options consistent with the firm’s hybrid work model.
• Work-life integration options supporting employee well-being.

What This Job Offers

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