Onboarding Associate

Grant Thornton (US); Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Grant Thornton is seeking an Onboarding Associate to join the People & Culture team. You will deliver a high-touch pre-boarding and onboarding experience for new hires and boomerang candidates, coordinating with recruiters and internal stakeholders.

The role emphasizes attention to compliance, including I-9 verification, background checks, and smooth handoffs to IT for equipment. You’ll host orientation sessions and maintain onboarding communications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years HR generalist or onboarding experience.
• Strong prioritization and ability to manage multiple stakeholders.
• Collaborative, initiative-driven and accountable.
• Excellent customer service, communication, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to collaborate across global teams.
• Proficiency in HR/ERP tools and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Deliver an inclusive onboarding experience for new hires and boomerang candidates.
• Coordinate IT equipment shipments and onboarding tasks.
• Act as an I-9 verifier and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Facilitate New Hire Orientation and manage Q&A.
• Maintain onboarding communications and toolkits for internal use.
• Provide backup support during peak periods.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collab

Proactive

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR / Business or related field

Tools

Oracle HR/ERP

MS Office

PowerBI

Job description

Job Description

Grant Thornton is seeking an Onboarding Associate to join the team. Approved office locations can be found below. The People & Culture Onboarding Associate delivers an exceptional pre-boarding and onboarding experience for new hires and boomerang candidates joining the firm. The People & Culture Associates cultivate strong working relationships with new hires, recruiters, and other Grant Thornton internal stakeholders who participate in new hire orientation.

Core Responsibilities

Curate and deliver a high touch and inclusive onboarding experience that engages new hires and acclimates them to our culture, core values and processes through offshore support across various preboarding and onboarding function including but not restricted to below:

• Support the onboarding of new hire and boomerang candidates (rehires) by executing tasks such as adjudicating background checks, employee profile creation, transcript requirement validation and documentation, and auditing onboarding action completion by hires.
• Coordinate with IT on the shipment and delivery of new hire technology and equipment.
• Act as an I-9 verifier; auditing I-9s to mitigate risk and ensure compliance with federal regulations.
• Facilitate and moderate New Hire Orientation on a rotational basis, delivering key onboarding content, introducing and transitioning between presenters, and addressing participant questions.
• Monitor shared services inbox and answer general questions or route inquiries as needed.
• Prepare and maintain template communications and onboarding toolkits for use by P&C and other internal stakeholder groups.
• Provide back up support to other People & Community Associates during peak periods or for out of office coverage.
• Ad hoc projects that support the Onboarding experience strategy and initiatives.

Qualifications (Personal Characteristics, Skills/Abilities, Academic)

The ideal candidate will be:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Business acumen with at least two years of experience in an HR generalist or Onboarding role.
• Strong prioritization skills with the ability to manage competing demands and support multiple stakeholders across different business areas
• Highly collaborative and action-oriented, with the ability to build relationships and influence within a matrixed organization
• Strong initiative and accountability, with a hands-on approach and willingness to take ownership
• Excellent customer service, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively across global, cross-functional, and onshore/offshore teams
• Professionalism and results oriented, with a commitment to continuous learning and development
• Operational mindset with the ability to leverage data and insights to solve problems and drive execution
• Proficiency in HR/ ERP tools/ systems (preferably Oracle), service management platforms, and related technologies
• Demonstrated ability to interpret policies, resolve complex employee issues, and manage competing priorities
• Solid PC skills with proficiency in MS Office (Advanced Excel, PowerBI, Macros)

The base salary range for this position is between $60,000 and $80,000. 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 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.

About The Team

The 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 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.