Analyst Relations Director

Grant Thornton (US); Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 184,000 - 276,000; Full time

Job summary

Grant Thornton is seeking an Analyst Relations Director to lead strategic engagement with industry analysts and shape Grant Thornton Advisors' market reputation and growth. The role operates within the Marketing and Communications team and drives a global analyst relations program across analyst firms influencing enterprise buyers.

The successful candidate will own the analyst narrative, proactively engage top-tier analysts, influence coverage, and lead responses to ratings cycles while

Qualifications

• Significant hands-on Analyst Relations experience with direct ownership of relationships with Gartner, Forrester, IDC, Everest Group, or TBR.
• Experience leading or supporting formal analyst evaluations (Gartner Magic Quadrants, Forrester Waves, IDC MarketScapes, Everest PEAK Matrix).
• Experience building, leading or owning an Analyst Relations program within a technology, professional services, consulting, or business advisory environment.
• Demonstrated ability to influence analyst coverage, positioning, or evaluation outcomes.
• Experience preparing and advising senior executives for analyst briefings and interactions.

Responsibilities

• Own the analyst narrative: develop and evolve a clear analyst storyline aligned with Grant Thornton Advisors' strategy, roadmap, and growth priorities.
• Proactively engage top-tier analysts: build relationships with key analysts across Gartner, Forrester, IDC, Everest Group, TBR, and others to shape coverage.
• Influence perception and positioning: monitor analyst research and adjust messaging to differentiate Grant Thornton.
• Lead the firm's response to ratings cycles: MQ, Forrester Wave, IDC MarketScape, Everest PEAK Matrix.
• Advise senior leaders: prepare executives for analyst interactions with messaging and Q&A.
• Partner cross-functionally: connect Marketing, Communications, Technology, and business to align narratives.
• Identify opportunities where analyst commentary supports pursuits and priority deals.
• Design and manage analyst advocacy programs, including events and advisory boards.
• Set KPIs for analyst relations effectiveness and report to CMO and leadership.
• Manage the analyst relations budget, subscriptions, and agency relationships.

Skills

Analyst Relations

Stakeholder Management

Strategic Communication

Gartner

Forrester

Job description

Job Description

Grant Thornton is seeking an Analyst Relations Director to lead strategic engagement with industry analysts and shape Grant Thornton Advisors' market reputation and growth. The role operates within the Marketing and Communications team and drives a global analyst relations program across the analyst firms that influence enterprise buyer decisions.

Responsibilities

• Own the analyst narrative: develop and continuously evolve a clear, credible analyst storyline aligned with Grant Thornton Advisors' commercial strategy, roadmap, and growth priorities.
• Proactively engage top‑tier analysts: build and maintain strong relationships with key global analysts across firms such as Gartner, Forrester, IDC, Everest Group, TBR, and specialist industry analysts, actively shaping coverage rather than responding to it.
• Influence perception and positioning: monitor analyst research, reports, and commentary. Identify opportunities to correct misconceptions, strengthen positioning, and elevate differentiation versus competitors.
• Lead the firm's response to ratings cycles: Magic Quadrant, Forrester Wave, IDC MarketScape, and Everest PEAK Matrix.
• Advise senior leaders: prepare executives for analyst interactions, including message framing, Q&A, and positioning around sensitive or emerging topics.
• Partner cross‑functionally: act as a connector across Service Line Marketing, Communications, Technology, and the wider business, ensuring consistency between analyst, media, and investor narratives.
• Identify opportunities where analyst commentary supports pursuits and priority deals.
• Design and manage analyst advocacy programs, including participation in firm events and advisory boards.
• Set KPIs for analyst relations effectiveness and report regularly to the CMO and firm leadership.
• Manage the analyst relations budget, subscriptions, and agency relationships to maximize commercial impact.

Qualifications

• Significant hands‑on Analyst Relations experience, including direct ownership of relationships with firms such as Gartner, Forrester, IDC, Everest Group, or TBR.
• Proven experience leading or materially supporting formal analyst evaluations, including Gartner Magic Quadrants, Forrester Waves, IDC MarketScapes, or Everest PEAK Matrix assessments.
• Experience building, leading or owning an Analyst Relations program within a technology, professional services, consulting, or business advisory environment.
• Demonstrated ability to influence analyst coverage, positioning, or evaluation outcomes.
• Experience preparing and advising senior executives for analyst briefings and interactions.

Base salary range: $184,000 to $276,000. Placement is at Grant Thornton’s discretion and is based on multiple factors including job‑related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, progression within the role, geographic location, and internal equity.

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. For more information, contact [e-mail].