Director, Integration Communications

Job-ID: 115774Category: -Location: Chicago, IL, United States; Downers Grove, IL, United StatesSchedule: Full timePosted: 2026-11-03Director, Integration CommunicationsGrant Thornton is seeking a Director, Integration Communications to join the team. The Director, Integration Communications develops and delivers all integration communications for the firm's Global Transformation Office (GTO), the centralized program that governs integration and value creation across the multinational platform. The role fills a critical need of the GTO: ensuring the right messages reach the right audiences at the right time throughout the transformation. Together with the Grant Thornton Advisors (GTA) Communications and Change Management, this role completes a dedicated employee-focused capability within the GTO, translating integration and operating model decisions into a clear, sequenced communications program that carries acquired member firms, existing practices, and firm leadership through the integration journey. Working within the GTO's governance, cadence, and playbooks, the Director owns the integration narrative, the executive and acquired entity-facing communications calendar, and the channel infrastructure that regional and entity teams rely on to deliver locally. The role begins as a dedicated individual lead and is expected to build and lead a communications team as integration volume scales.Key ResponsibilitiesIntegration Narrative & Communications StrategyOwn the enterprise integration narrative, including the case for change, the destination operating model and the value story, and ensure it is expressed consistently across every audience, region and entityBuild and maintain an integrated communications strategy and calendar aligned to the GTO's wave-based, integration roadmap and Day 1 / Day 100 / steady-state gates and coordinated with the Grant Thornton Advisors Communications teamTranslate operating model and functional design decisions into language that is credible and usable for partners, practitioners and support professionalsEstablish messaging architecture, key message sets and approved language libraries by audience, so regional and entity teams communicate consistently without reinventing contentExecutive & Leadership CommunicationsServe as communications counsel to GTO leadership, workstream leads and acquired-entity leadership on sensitive and high-visibility integration messagingDevelop executive communications, town hall content, leadership briefing packs and talking points for firm and entity leaders, including managing partner and regional leadership forumsEquip people leaders as communicators through cascade kits, manager guides and Q&A that anticipate the questions integration reliably provokesManage communications for sensitive integration events, such as brand transitions, systems cutovers, organizational design changes, location and role impacts, in partnership with People & Culture, Legal, and RiskAct as the integration communications liaison to the Grant Thornton Advisors Communications teamAcquired Entity & Employee CommunicationsDesign and deliver entity-specific communications journeys from announcement through full integration, calibrated to each entity's size, culture and integration pathEnsure acquired-entity professionals receive timely, accurate information on what is changing, when, what it means for them and where to get helpCoordinate internal and external message alignment with Grant Thornton Advisors Communications, Brand, Marketing, and Growth so client-facing and employee-facing communications do not divergeChannel Infrastructure & Delivery CapabilityOwn the integration communications channel ecosystem, including intranet and hub content, email and newsletter programs, and collaboration-platform presenceEstablish templates, toolkits, brand-compliant assets and self-service resources that scale communications delivery across regions Set standards, approval routes and quality control for all integration communications, including those originated by regional and entity teamsManage agency, contractor and creative resources supporting integration communications deliveryCoordination with Change ManagementPartner with the Change Management Lead as two halves of a single people-side integration agenda: Communications, in coordination with Grant Thornton Advisors Communications, owns narrative, messaging, channels, and content; Change Management owns stakeholder analysis, readiness, training, and adoptionSequence communications against change readiness milestones so messaging lands when audiences are prepared to act on it, not beforeMaintain a joint calendar, shared stakeholder map, and agreed RACI with Change Management, People & Culture, Grant Thornton Advisors Communications and regional integration and communications leads to prevent duplicate, conflicting, or oversaturated messagingMeasurement & Continuous ImprovementDefine and track communications effectiveness measures; use the results to adjust channel mix, cadence and message content rather than to report activityReport communications health and sentiment trends into GTO governance and escalate emerging risks earlyCapture reusable playbooks, templates and lessons learned after each integration wave so each successive entity is communicated to better than the lastTeam Leadership & GovernanceEstablish the integration communications function in coordination with Grant Thornton Advisors Communications: define the operating model, build the business case for incremental capacity, and recruit and lead a communications team as integration volume scalesLead and develop the communications support resources within the GTO, aligning their work to integration priorities and regional demandDirect any partner, agency or advisory resources brought into supplement communications delivery, transitioning capability in-house over timeRepresent the function with strong executive presence, delivering clear, concise and executive-ready communications and deliverablesBuild durable communications capability that endures beyond any single integration waveQualificationsBachelor's degree required; advanced degree or relevant certification a plus10+ years of internal, change or transformation communications experience, ideally in professional services or another partnership-led environmentDemonstrated experience communicating through M&A, integration or large-scale operating model change, including sensitive workforce and organizational messagingProven ability to advise and write for senior executives and partner audiences with credibilityExperience operating within an enterprise transformation or PMO governance model, working to shared roadmaps, RAID logs and reporting standardsTrack record of building scalable communications infrastructure — channels, templates, toolkits — rather than delivering bespoke work at volumeExceptional writing, editing and stakeholder-management skills; strong judgment on sensitive mattersExperience working across multiple regions, cultures and languagesExcellent communication skills; proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and relevant communications and intranet platformsSuccess MeasuresA single, consistent integration narrative in use across all regions, entities and workstreamsCommunications calendar delivered on time and in sequence with integration milestones, with no material message gaps at Day 1 or key cutoversMeasurable improvement in employee understanding, confidence, and sentiment through the integration journeyLeaders equipped and actively cascading, evidenced by cascade completion and manager feedbackReduced ad hoc and duplicative communications, with regional and entity teams delivering from central toolkitsReusable communications playbooks established and demonstrably improving each successive integration waveThe base salary range for this position is between $187,000 and $250,000. 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.About the organizationThe team you’re about to join is ready to help you thrive. Here’s how:

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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 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 click.appcast.io. 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 Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. For Massachusetts Applicants only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Grant Thornton does not require or administer lie detector tests as a condition of employment or continued employment. About the companyAt 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.