Manager, Business Governance, Office of the COO

Grant Thornton; Baltimore (MD); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Discretionary annual bonus

Job summary

Grant Thornton is seeking an Experienced Manager in the Office of the COO to drive strategic initiatives and operational excellence. The role requires coordinating cross-functional workstreams, presenting to senior leaders, and delivering high-impact governance across the COO organization.

You will report to the Chief of Staff and support complex programs including M&A integration, with a fast-paced environment that values adaptability and strategic thinking.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in project management, operations, transformation, or management consulting.
• Experience designing processes, operating models, or business cases to improve governance and ways of working.
• Solid understanding of professional services businesses and drivers of value.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with ability to influence senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains detailed project plans, timelines, and status reports for accountability.
• Coordinate cross-functional initiatives and drive execution across teams.
• Support the COO's office with executive presentations, briefings, and decision-support materials.
• Lead project management for strategic initiatives including M&A integration and operational transformation.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Finance or related field

Tools

Smartsheet

MS Project

Asana

Job description

About Us

At 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.

Role Summary

The Experienced Manager within the Office of the COO plays a critical role in driving strategic initiatives and operational excellence across the scope of the COO’s organization which is rapidly evolving and changing shape. This role supports the COO’s agenda by coordinating cross‑functional initiatives, enabling smooth day‑to‑day operational governance rhythms, and delivering high‑impact deliverables that empower decision‑making and execution.

This individual is highly organized, agile, and possesses high business IQ who thrives in a fast‑paced environment, can manage multiple priorities, maintains discretion and executive presence, and works effectively across stakeholder groups. The role requires strong communication, problem‑solving, and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable plans.

Reporting to the Chief of Staff within the Office of the COO, this position offers a unique opportunity for hands‑on leadership, professional development, and exposure to enterprise‑level operational strategy. Success requires comfort with ambiguity, strong problem‑solving and synthesis skills, excellent communication, and the ability to independently advance complex work across a broad range of business topics and stakeholder groups.

A key focus of this role is supporting the COO and his direct reports through an intricate combination of initiatives to run the business and workstreams contributing to mergers and acquisitions (M&A) integration activities. The OCOO will spend time doing both, sometimes simultaneously. The Experience Manager along with the Chief of Staff will coordinate across teams to build the connectivity between leadership strategy and organizational execution, translating priorities into action while creating the visibility, alignment, and feedback mechanisms needed to support decision‑making, track progress, and ensure leadership has a clear understanding of organizational performance, challenges, and contributions.

Core Attributes

• 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, assists the COO’s office in mapping deliverables to real progress in delivering strategic objectives

• Coordinates and creates cohesion with cross‑functional teams to drive execution and resolve issues quickly

• Supports the COO and his senior leaders with executive‑level presentations, briefings, and decision‑support materials

• Facilitates effective communication and information flow across teams reporting to the COO and with other teams involved in COO initiatives

• Identifies opportunities for process improvement and implements scalable solutions

• When needed, leads project management of strategic initiatives aimed at M&A integration, process optimization, and operational transformation

• Demonstrates adaptability and emotional intelligence in navigating diverse stakeholder needs and team dynamics

• Other duties as assigned

  Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Business, Finance, or related field; PMP or similar project management certification preferred

• 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 (e.g., Smartsheet, MS Project, Asana) and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint); comfortable with AI tools with an interest in how to deploy AI for maximum productivity

• The base salary range for this position is between $120,000 and $180,000. 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 Team

• 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 benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles and aspirations that make you, well, you. See how at www.gt.com/careers
• 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 www.gt.com/careers

Here’s 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 www.gt.com/careers.

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: https://www.grantthornton.com/careers/rewards-and-benefits

• Benefits 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 [e-mail].

  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.