Manager, Business Governance & M&A Operations (Hybrid)

Grant Thornton; Appleton (WI); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Grant Thornton is seeking a Manager, Business Governance to join the Office of the COO. The role coordinates cross-functional initiatives and governance rhythms to empower decision-making across the COO organization.

Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the Experienced Manager supports M&A integration activities, builds leadership visibility, and drives process improvements in a fast-paced, matrixed professional services environment.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Business, Finance, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in project management, operations, transformation, or management consulting.
• Solid understanding of the business drivers, operating constructs, and value levers of professional services companies.
• Ability to assess organizational challenges and identify opportunities to improve governance, communication, prioritization, and ways of working.
• Experience designing processes, operating models, business cases, or management mechanisms that improve team effectiveness.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a strategic mindset.
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously.
• Adaptability in a fast-paced and highly dynamic work week.
• Experience working in a matrixed environment and driving results across functions.
• Proficiency in project management tools (Smartsheet, MS Project, Asana) and MS Office; comfortable with AI tools.

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains detailed project plans, timelines, and status reports to ensure accountability and transparency.
• Tracks and follows up with key initiatives across a portfolio of functional domains, mapping deliverables to progress.
• Coordinates and creates cohesion with cross-functional teams to drive execution and resolve issues quickly.
• Supports the COO and senior leaders with executive-level presentations, briefings, and decision-support materials.
• Facilitates effective communication and information flow across teams reporting to the COO and related initiatives.
• Identifies opportunities for process improvement and implements scalable solutions.
• Leads project management of strategic initiatives aimed at M&A integration, process optimization, and transformation.
• Demonstrates adaptability and emotional intelligence across stakeholder needs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication

Problem-solving

Strategic thinking

Executive presence

Education

Undergraduate degree in Business/Finance or related field

PMP or similar certification preferred

Tools

Smartsheet

MS Project

Asana

MS Office

Job description

Grant Thornton is seeking a Manager, Business Governance to join the Office of the COO. The role coordinates cross-functional initiatives and governance rhythms to empower decision-making across the COO organization.

Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the Experienced Manager supports M&A integration activities, builds leadership visibility, and drives process improvements in a fast-paced, matrixed professional services environment.