Value Creation Director (Chicago)

As a Value Creation Director, you’ll focus on high-impact, short-term engagements with our private equity, PE-backed companies, hedge funds, and investment banking clients across industries including software/technology, healthcare, business services, consumer, industrials, and the events ecosystem. You will work with experienced professionals who bring a full range of advisory services to validate, optimize and create value for the Transaction Advisory Practice – all with the resources, environment, and support to help you excel.Directors will play a pivotal role in establishing and advancing the firm’s value creation proposition, aligning with our global growth strategy working closely with Managing Directors leading our value creation efforts, the Director will actively shape strategy, bringing a client-centric approach to engagements that drive tangible, strategic growth for clientsFrom day one, you’ll be empowered to help clients make the moves that will help them achieve their vision and help you achieve more, confidently.Your day-to-day may include:Value Creation Practice Growth:Lead the development and expansion of Value Creation offerings through practice-wide thought leadership.Implement high-impact strategies to maximize growth potential for clients, particularly within PE portfolios.Integrate Value Creation insights into broader deal advisory engagements to enhance overall client impact.Business Development and Client Growth:Develop and execute a targeted client development strategy within the Value Creation space.Achieve commercial goals by originating new opportunities and collaborating effectively across the firm.Build and strengthen relationships with priority PE funds to enhance Grant Thornton’s market presence and create impactful partnership opportunities.Project Oversight and Team Leadership:Oversee multiple engagements, providing strong delivery leadership and hands-on project management.Guide project teams to ensure engagements meet client expectations and drive measurable value creation.Align project outcomes with broader practice objectives and support team development goals.Strategic Account Management:Drive growth within core client accounts by expanding service offerings and deepening stakeholder relationships.Align account development efforts with clients’ value creation priorities and long-term strategic goals.Mentoring and developing junior team members, providing guidance and support to help them grow professionallyAssisting with training sessions to support team up-skillingLead and support business development activities, including identifying new client opportunities, developing proposals, budgets, and work plans, and participating in meetings with prospective clientsMeeting or exceeding targeted billing hours (utilization)Other duties as assignedYou have the following technical skills and qualifications:Bachelor’s degree, MBA preferred10+ years at a leading management or strategy consultancy with increasing progression to project and commercial leadership roles required.Industry recognized professional certification required.Demonstrated success in generating opportunities and relationships within the private equity and corporate markets, particularly with a focus on value creation initiatives.Demonstrated experience in managing, coaching and developing consulting staff.Experience in successfully meeting business development objectives, deadlines and budget in business services environment. Understanding of the current market and an ability to anticipate future trends/identify sales opportunities.Strategic thinker with strong research, proven analytic abilities, and working knowledge of consulting frameworks.Can travel as needed.The base salary range for this position is between $223,514 and $289,171. 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. At Grant Thornton, we believe in making business more personal and building trust into every result – for our clients and you. Here, we go beyond your expectations of a career in professional services by offering a career path with more: more opportunity, more flexibility, and more support. It’s what makes us different, and we think being different makes us better. In the U.S., Grant Thornton delivers professional services through two specialized entities: Grant Thornton LLP, a licensed, certified public accounting (CPA) firm that provides audit and assurance services ― and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC (not a licensed CPA firm), which exclusively provides non-attest offerings, including tax and advisory services. In 2025, Grant Thornton formed a multinational, multidisciplinary platform with Grant Thornton Ireland. The platform offers a premier Trans-Atlantic advisory and tax practice, as well as independent American and Irish audit practices. With $2.7 billion in revenues and more than 50 offices spanning the U.S., Ireland and other territories, the platform delivers a singular client experience that includes enhanced solutions and capabilities, backed by powerful technologies and a roster of 12,000 quality-driven professionals enjoying exceptional career-growth opportunities and a distinctive cross-border culture. Grant Thornton is part of the Grant Thornton International Limited network, which provides access to its member firms in more than 150 global markets.The team you’re about to join is ready to help you thrive. Here’s how:
• Whether it's your work location, weekly schedule, or flex time off, we empower you with the options to work the way that it best serves your clients and your life. Consistent with the firm's hybrid work model, this position will require in-person attendance at least three days per week, either at a GT office or client site.


• Here, you are supported to prioritize your overall well-being through work-life integration options that work best for you and those in your household. 


• 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. See how at
• When it comes to inclusion, we are committed to doing more than checking boxes. Explore all the ways we’re taking action for diversity, equity & inclusion at what you can expect next: 
If you apply and are selected to interview, a Grant Thornton team member will reach out to you to schedule a time to connect. We encourage you to also check out other roles that may be a good fit for you or get to know us a little bit better at  
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:  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.
Additional Details:
It is the policy of Grant Thornton to promote equal employment opportunities. All personnel decisions (including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, working conditions, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, evaluations, and termination) are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital or civil union status, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic predisposition or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.


Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws, it is the policy of Grant Thornton LLP to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. To make an accommodation request, please contact View email address on apply.placed-app.com. 


For Los Angeles Applicants only: We will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance In