Risk Advisory Director, Not-for-Profit and Higher Education

Grant Thornton (US); Boston (MA); On-site; USD 198,000 - 256,000; Full time

Job summary

Grant Thornton (US) is seeking a Risk Advisory Director for its Not-for-Profit and Higher Education Practice. You will guide risk assessment, internal controls, and ERP/IT process optimization across the client base, enabling proactive and responsive risk management.

You’ll lead engagements, mentor teams, and drive new business opportunities while managing client relationships. The role emphasizes strategic thinking, collaboration with partners, and leveraging AI/data analytics to deliver

Qualifications

• Requires CPA, CIA, CISA, CISSP, CRMP, CFE or CISM preferred.
• Experience with not-for-profit and higher education industries preferred.
• Knowledge of COSO IC/ERM frameworks and IIA standards.
• Willingness to travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Review processes and internal controls across risk domains for not-for-profit and higher education clients.
• Develop best-practices recommendations for internal controls and process optimization.
• Conduct risk assessments and develop internal audit plans.
• Lead internal audit, ERM, and compliance programs for not-for-profit clients.
• Leverage AI, analytics, and automation to improve service delivery.
• Support business development and client proposals.

Skills

Leadership

Business development

Engagement management

Client relationship management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Mentoring

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Risk Management, Information Technology, MIS, or related field

10+ years of related work experience in a similar consulting practice

Tools

SAP

Workday

Oracle

Infor

COSO Framework

Job description

As a Risk Advisory Director in the Not-for-Profit and Higher Education Practice, you will get the opportunity to grow and contribute to our clients' business needs by helping them understand their business risks and assist in addressing risk in both proactive and responsive contexts for the Risk, Compliance & Controls Practice – all with the resources, environment, and support to help you excel.

From day one, you’ll be empowered by the greater Risk team, supported by our AI and technology-enabled tools, to help clients make the moves that will help them achieve their mission and vision, and help you achieve more, confidently.

Your day-to-day may include:

• Review processes and internal controls across multiple risk domains to provide clients with an assessment of risk, internal control, and overall process effectiveness and efficiency – across the three lines of defense
• Manage the development of leading practices-based recommendations for improvement that are ‘right-sized’ and appropriate for the not-for-profit and higher education industries, as well as the specific needs and circumstances of clients, related to internal controls, business and IT process optimization, cost reduction, revenue enhancement, fraud prevention, and compliance
• Conduct entity and process level risk assessments and develop internal audit plans for client approval
• Assist with establishing and operating high performing internal audit functions, internal controls programs, enterprise risk management (ERM) programs, compliance programs, and other risk and consultative assessments for not-for-profit and higher education clients
• Leverage artificial intelligence, analytics, and automation solutions to deliver client services efficiently and effectively
• Work closely with partners and team members to promptly identify and resolve client problems or issues
• Effectively communicate externally with clients and internally with all levels of the organization
• Perform engagement management responsibilities, including performance reviews, task delegation, project scheduling, project financials, quality review and client management
• Use network of business relationships to generate new sales opportunities
• Lead and support business development activities such as new relationship development, proposals, client account management, conferences, presentations, whitepapers, and other thought leadership
• Think strategically about practice enhancements, and actively contribute to implementing change
• Understand and manage firm risk on proposals and client engagements
• Coach, mentor, and develop team members, fostering professional growth and developing high performers
• Meet or exceed sales and growth targets
• Meet or exceed targeted billing hours (utilization)
• Interview campus and/or experienced candidates
• Other duties as assigned

You have the following technical skills and qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Risk Management, Information Technology, MIS, or a related field is required
• Minimum 10 years of related work experience in a similar consulting practice or function servicing cross-industry clients at a national level
• Experience working for or with not-for-profit organizations or higher education institutions preferred
• Experience with knowledge of processes, risks, controls and leading practices within not-for-profit and higher education industry-specific functions such as grants management, academic research, fundraising, student services, etc. preferred
• Certification required, CPA, CIA, CISA, CISSP, CRMP, CFE or CISM preferred
• Experience establishing, operating, and/or assessing Internal Audit, internal controls, compliance, and/or enterprise risk management programs preferred.
• Experience assessing and designing internal controls within the not-for-profit and/or higher education industries that address strategic, operational, reporting, and compliance risks across financial, operational, administrative and information technology (IT) processes
• Strong understanding of COSO Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013), COSO Enterprise Risk Management Framework (2017), the Institute of Internal Auditors Global Standards
• Ability to execute multiple engagements and completing priorities in a rapidly growing team environment
• Ability and passion for developing and expanding relationships with current and prospective clients
• Experience participating in engagement pursuits, and preparing impactful materials in response to Requests for Information (RFI), Requests for Proposals (RFP) and other client engagement opportunities
• Strong supervisory, leadership development and collaboration skills
• Experience with artificial intelligence, data analytics and visualization platforms preferred
• Experience working with organizations that utilize SAP, Workday, Oracle, or Infor preferred
• Can travel as needed

The base salary range for this position is between $197,800 and $255,904. 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, 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.