Strategic Client Growth Director

Grant Thornton (US); San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 190,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Bonus program

Job summary

Grant Thornton is seeking a Client Relationship Executive – Commercial (Director) to drive growth within Audit and Tax through executive relationship management and disciplined pipeline development. This leader translates client needs into actionable pursuits and identifies cross‑sell opportunities across Advisory.

The role operates at the intersection of strategy, pursuit leadership, and executive connectivity.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in business development, Audit / Tax sales, complex solution selling, or enterprise transformation pursuits with C‑suite/Board‑level buyers.
• Demonstrated success building and expanding executive relationships and driving measurable growth outcomes in a matrixed professional services environment.
• Familiarity with Audit / Tax buying processes and the ability to identify Advisory cross‑sell opportunities.
• Strong commercial acumen: qualification discipline, win strategy, pricing, negotiation, and executive storytelling.
• Proven ability to translate complex capabilities into clear value propositions and scalable pursuit narratives; comfort operating at the intersection of strategy and go‑to‑market.
• Working knowledge of Audit & Tax domains (e.g., Assurance, Attestation, Corporate Tax, Indirect Tax, International Tax, Partnership Tax, and related technology‑enabled offerings, with the ability to identify relevant Advisory cross‑sell opportunities).
• Experience selling and structuring multi‑year Audit & Tax engagements.
• Direct experience in professional services firms, with working knowledge of how partner‑led, client‑service organizations operate.
• Advanced communication and presentation skills (executive‑level decks, whiteboarding, facilitating decision sessions).
• Travel up to ~10%, variable by portfolio

Responsibilities

• Originating new business through outbound calls, executive meetings, and relationship development.
• Lead Commercial account and pursuit strategies for priority clients and prospects; identify new Audit and Tax opportunities.
• Shape deal/solution narratives and value propositions; align capabilities with client needs.
• Collaborate with RMPs, Audit & Tax Growth Leaders, PMDs, and pursuit teams to ensure executable solutions.
• Develop scalable, differentiated solutions and governance‑driven proposals.
• Build relationships with executives to create new access and generate qualified pipeline.
• Drive pricing strategies and negotiations to protect value and competitiveness.
• Position GT’s full‑service approach combining data insights, technology modernization, and shared services to ROI.
• Champion responsible AI adoption in pursuit narratives with risk leaders as needed.
• Maintain executive altitude in client conversations (Board/C‑suite).

Skills

Executive relationships

Business development

Consultative selling

Deal structuring

Pricing negotiation

Storytelling

Cross-sell opportunities

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience

MBA or advanced degree preferred

Job description

Grant Thornton is seeking a Client Relationship Executive – Commercial (Director) to drive growth within Audit and Tax through executive relationship management and disciplined pipeline development. This leader translates client needs into actionable pursuits and identifies cross‑sell opportunities across Advisory.

The role operates at the intersection of strategy, pursuit leadership, and executive connectivity.