Client Relationship Executive - Commercial (Director)

Job DescriptionGrant Thornton is seeking a Client Relationship Executive – Commercial (Director) to join the team in Dallas, TX.Grant Thornton is seeking a Commercial Director Client Relationship Executive (CRE) to drive focused growth within Audit and Tax through relationship management, active prospecting, disciplined pipeline development, and strong collaboration across pursuit teams. This leader serves as a client growth strategist and commercial seller, opening new doors for the firm, translating client needs into actionable Audit and Tax pursuits, and identifying Advisory cross-sell opportunities where relevant. The Commercial CRE operates at the intersection solution strategy, pursuit leadership, executive relationship management, and cross-service line growth — shaping how capabilities are packaged, positioned, and activated in the market.Your Day-to-Day May Include:Active Prospecting & Business Origination (Primary)Conduct active, rigorous daily prospecting across assigned accounts, targets, and markets — originating new business through outbound calls, executive meetings, and relationship developmentMeet sales production targets and goals with discipline and minimal oversightOriginate new sales opportunities by consistently and systematically initiating contacts; pursue prospects to secure meetings and win referralsCommercial Growth Leadership & Account StrategyLead Commercial account and pursuit strategies for priority clients and prospects, identifying new Audit and Tax opportunities and where Advisory cross-sell can expand client value.Act as the deal/solution architect — shaping how GT brings capabilities together into clear value propositions, solution narratives, and commercially viable program structuresPartner with RMPs, Audit & Tax Growth Leaders, PMDs, and pursuit teams to align client needs to relevant capabilities.Translate client needs into scalable, differentiated solutions; partner with offering and solution strategy leaders to ensure solutions are executable and repeatableLead cross-solution opportunity development by identifying where additional Audit, Tax, or Advisory capabilities may strengthen pursuit strategy.Build deep relationships with relevant executives and buyers across client organizations to create new access and generate qualified commercial pipelineDrive proposal strategies that emphasize measurable outcomes, defined governance, and practical implementation plans (not just scopes and hours)Position GT's full-service approach — uniting data-driven insights, technology modernization, and shared services/outsourcing to deliver speed, efficiency, and ROI at scaleChampion responsible, practical AI adoption in pursuit narratives, coordinating with AI and risk leaders as neededMaintain strong executive altitude in client conversations (Board/C-suite), aligning pursuits to growth, risk, profitability, and performance prioritiesPursuit Leadership & Win StrategyIdentify winning strategies by deeply understanding client needs; coach pursuit teams through qualification, solutioning, pricing, and closingParticipate in Audit and Tax services sales presentations and executive working sessions; facilitate alignment across stakeholdersNegotiate and participate in pricing strategy to ensure GT is competitive while protecting valueMarket Presence & Executive ConnectivityProject executive presence; build effective relationships with senior Partners and C-Suite executivesIdentify key decision makers at client and prospect organizations at the C-Suite and Board levelsCultivate relationships across executive networks, industry forums, and alliances to build GT relevanceIn partnership with marketing, activate events, campaigns, and thought leadership to build pipelineYou Have the Following Technical Skills and Qualifications:10+ years of progressive experience in business development, Audit / Tax sales, complex solution selling, or enterprise transformation pursuits with C-suite/Board-level buyersDemonstrated success building and expanding executive relationships and driving measurable growth outcomes in a matrixed professional services environmentFamiliarity with Audit / Tax buying processes and the ability to identify Advisory cross-sell opportunitiesStrong commercial acumen: qualification discipline, win strategy, pricing, negotiation, and executive storytellingProven ability to translate complex capabilities into clear value propositions and scalable pursuit narratives; comfort operating at the intersection of strategy and go-to-marketWorking knowledge of Audit & Tax domains (e.g., Assurance, Attestation, Corporate Tax, Indirect Tax, International Tax, Partnership Tax, and related technology-enabled offerings, with the ability to identify relevant Advisory cross-sell opportunities)Experience selling and structuring multi-year Audit & Tax engagementsDirect experience in professional services firms, with working knowledge of how partner-led, client-service organizations operateAdvanced communication and presentation skills (executive-level decks, whiteboarding, facilitating decision sessions)Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience required; MBA or other advanced degree preferred.Travel up to ~10%, variable by portfolioThe total compensation package for this role includes base salary and bonus. The base salary range for this position is between $172,000 and $258,000. 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.