Associate Director, Strategy & Operations

Job-ID: 116280Category: Business OperationsLocation: Chicago, IL, United States; Arlington, VA, United States; Baltimore, MD, United States; Philadelphia, PA, United States; Pittsburgh, PA, United States; Appleton, WI, United States; Cincinnati, OH, United States; Cleveland, OH, United States; Denver, CO, United States; Southfield, MI, United States; Downers Grove, IL, United States; Kansas City, MO, United States; Milwaukee, WI, United States; Minneapolis, MN, United States; St Louis, MO, United States; Wichita, KS, United States; Boston, MA, United States; Edison, NJ, United States; Hartford, CT, United States; New York, NY, United States; Melville, NY, United States; Atlanta, GA, United States; Charlotte, NC, United States; Columbia, SC, United States; Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States; Jacksonville, FL, United States; Orlando, FL, United States; Raleigh, NC, United States; Tampa, FL, United States; Austin, TX, United States; Dallas, TX, United States; Houston, TX, United States; Oklahoma City, OK, United States; Tulsa, OK, United States; San Diego, CA, United States; San Jose, CA, United States; San Francisco, CA, United States; Los Angeles, CA, United States; Newport Beach, CA, United States; Portland, OR, United States; Reno, NV, United StatesWorkplace: HybridSchedule: Full timePosted: 2026-11-04Grant Thornton is seeking an Associate Director, Strategy & Operations to join the team. Approved office locations can be found below.Position Summary:The Associate Director, Strategy & Operations is a senior member of the Office of the COO responsible for independently leading strategic priorities, business performance initiatives, and cross-functional execution across the firm and the Americas member firms. Reporting to the Head of Strategy & Operations, this role converts senior leadership priorities into decisions, executable plans, and measurable results.The Associate Director operates with substantial autonomy and serves as a day-to-day thought partner to senior executives. The individual will structure ambiguous business problems, develop fact-based points of view, identify implications and tradeoffs, and recommend actions. Success requires the ability to move fluidly from analysis to insight to management discussion, and from leadership decision to sustained execution.The role requires strong business judgment, professional services acumen, executive presence, and the ability to influence across service lines, corporate functions, geographies, and member firms without relying on formal authority.Role emphasis: independent problem ownership, executive advisory, insight generation, cross-functional influence, and end-to-end accountability.Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions:Strategy & Enterprise PrioritiesIndependently lead strategic and operational initiatives sponsored by the Office of the COO, from problem definition and workplan design through recommendation, decision, implementation, and benefits realization.Structure complex and ambiguous business questions, develop hypotheses, establish the analytical approach, and determine the information and stakeholder input required to reach a sound conclusion.Develop strategic options, business cases, and decision frameworks that clearly articulate business implications, tradeoffs, risks, and recommended courses of action.Translate enterprise priorities into executable plans with clear outcomes, ownership, milestones, dependencies, performance measures, and governance.Anticipate execution barriers and emerging issues; resolve them directly where possible and bring forward focused decisions when executive intervention is required.Business Performance & Management InsightOwn the analysis and interpretation of business and operational performance, moving beyond reporting results to identify underlying drivers, emerging trends, performance gaps, risks, and opportunities.Translate quantitative and qualitative analysis into management insights, implications, and recommended actions.Shape and drive leadership operating reviews by identifying the critical questions requiring management attention, developing an objective fact base and point of view, and enabling focused executive discussion and decision-making.Develop executive-ready performance narratives that connect financial and operational results, key performance indicators, strategic priorities, and organizational execution.Partner with business and functional leaders to diagnose performance issues, evaluate potential interventions, and establish accountability for follow-through.Establish mechanisms to monitor strategic priorities, leadership commitments, and outcomes; identify where execution is diverging from intent and recommend corrective action.Executive Advisory & CommunicationsServe as a trusted day-to-day thought partner to senior leaders on strategic, operational, and organizational priorities.Prepare and deliver concise executive briefings, recommendations, presentations, and decision-support materials with a clear point of view tailored to the audience and decision at hand.Lead and facilitate executive and cross-functional discussions, surface implications, reconcile competing perspectives, and drive groups toward decisions and accountable next steps.Communicate complex or sensitive issues with clarity, discretion, and sound judgment, including when the analysis challenges established assumptions or priorities.Represent the Office of the COO in senior-level working sessions and independently advance matters on its behalf within agreed decision rights.Americas Member Firm Leadership SupportAct as a strategic liaison and thought partner to Americas member firm leaders on priorities requiring Office of the COO engagement.Diagnose operational challenges, develop recommendations, and mobilize the appropriate stakeholders and resources to drive resolution.Lead the implementation of regional and global priorities across member firms, adapting execution approaches to local circumstances while maintaining strategic intent and expected outcomes.Identify patterns, leading practices, and transferable insights across member firms and convert them into recommendations for broader organizational action.Build trusted relationships across geographies and influence timely decisions and execution without direct authority.Organizational Effectiveness & GovernanceLead or advise on organizational design, governance, operating model, decision-rights, and ways-of-working initiatives.Assess whether current structures, processes, forums, and accountabilities enable effective decision-making and execution; recommend and implement practical improvements.Design scalable management mechanisms that strengthen prioritization, transparency, decision velocity, accountability, and organizational alignment.Clarify roles, responsibilities, decision rights, and escalation paths across complex cross-functional initiatives.Facilitate working sessions that convert differing stakeholder perspectives into aligned decisions and implementable solutions.Initiative Leadership & ExecutionLead multiple high-priority workstreams simultaneously, maintaining executive-quality standards while balancing pace, rigor, and practical delivery.Establish the operating cadence for complex initiatives, including governance, stakeholder engagement, risk management, decision tracking, and performance reporting.Drive accountability across workstream owners, address stalled execution, and ensure leadership decisions translate into measurable action.Coach project contributors and provide direction on problem solving, analysis, executive communication, and delivery quality, whether or not they report directly to the role.Other duties as assigned.Required Qualifications8-12+ years of progressively responsible experience in management consulting, corporate strategy, business operations, transformation, finance, or a comparable environment.Demonstrated experience independently leading complex, cross-functional strategic or operational initiatives from problem definition through implementation.Demonstrated ability to convert complex analysis into business insight, management implications, and actionable recommendations.Experience regularly engaging and influencing senior executives, including facilitating discussions and presenting recommendations.Strong business and financial acumen, with the ability to understand performance drivers and connect operational activity to business outcomes.Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including advanced capability in executive presentations, business storytelling, and decision-support materials.Advanced PowerPoint and Excel capabilities; proficiency using data, productivity, and collaboration tools to accelerate high-quality work.Ability to operate with limited direction, establish structure in ambiguous situations, manage competing priorities, and exercise sound judgment.Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, economics, accounting, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.Preferred QualificationsProfessional services experience or demonstrated knowledge of professional services economics, operating models, and performance drivers.Experience working across international, multi-country, or member-firm structures.Experience in organizational design, governance, operating model development, enterprise transformation, M&A integration, or performance management.MBA or other relevant advanced degree.The base salary range for this position is between$184,000and$276,000. 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: • 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 benefitsthat 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. AdditionalDetails: 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 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.