Value Creation Manager

Grant Thornton International Ltd; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 170,200 - 212,750; Full time

Job summary

Grant Thornton International Ltd is seeking a Value Creation Manager in Chicago to help private equity and corporate clients assess operational opportunities and execute across transaction lifecycles. The role includes managing transaction engagements, leading operational due diligence workstreams, and developing integration plans.

Ideal candidates will have at least 6 years of relevant experience and a strong analytical skill set. The position offers a competitive salary range of $170,200 to $212,750, dependent on various factors.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years of experience in transaction advisory or management consulting.
• Industry recognized professional certification required.
• Ability to travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Manage buy-side and sell-side transaction engagements.
• Lead operational due diligence workstreams.
• Manage cash and working capital optimization workstreams.
• Mentor and develop junior team members.
• Support business development activities.

Skills

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Financial analysis

Data modeling

Process mapping

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Project management skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

MBA preferred

Job description

As a Value Creation Manager, you will work with private equity and corporate clients to evaluate operational opportunities and support execution across the transaction lifecycle. The team focuses on operational due diligence, cost assessments, synergy analysis, integration and separation planning, and post-close execution. You will work closely with experienced professionals to help clients assess risks, identify opportunities, and develop actionable plans to maximize value before and after a transaction for the Grant Thornton | Stax Transactions Practice – all with the resources, environment, and support to help you excel.

From day one, you’ll be empowered to help clients make the moves that will help them achieve their vision and help you achieve more, confidently.

Your day-to-day may include:

• Managing buy-side and sell-side transaction engagements in coordination with Financial Due Diligence, IT, Supply Chain, Human Capital, and other diligence teams.
• Leading operational due diligence workstreams to assess business performance, operational risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Managing standalone, one-time, and stranded cost assessments.
• Leading synergy assessments and interdependency analyses.
• Leading cost optimization assessments to drive EBITDA improvement, including baselining of operations, procurement, SG&A, and overhead spend; identifying and sizing initiatives (base/high cases, one-time-to-achieve, HC vs. non-HC); and building prioritized roadmaps with clear owners, timing, and risks.
• Leading cash and working capital optimization workstreams (AR, AP, inventory) alongside cost levers to deliver a holistic plan, and overseeing initiative tracking, governance, and realization reporting from identification through post-close execution.
• Overseeing Day 1 readiness and 100-day planning efforts.
• Developing integration and separation plans, from high-level blueprints to detailed multi-phase workplans.
• Providing Integration Management Office (IMO), Separation Management Office (SMO), and Transition Management Office (TMO) leadership and support.
• Leading Transition Services Agreement (TSA) scoping, negotiation support, and schedule preparation.
• Supporting operating model design and organizational structure planning.
• Managing change management and stakeholder communication efforts.
• Managing client relationships.
• Preparing clear and concise reports and presentations for clients and other stakeholders.
• Managing multiple engagements simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality work.
• Lead and support business development activities, including identifying new client opportunities, developing proposals, budgets, and work plans, and participating in meetings with prospective clients.
• Mentoring and developing junior team members, providing guidance and support to help them grow professionally.
• Performing detailed analysis to identify opportunities for improvement and documenting conclusions.
• Assisting with training sessions to support team-up-skilling.
• Serving as a coach and mentor to other team members in support of their professional development.
• Meeting or exceeding targeted billing hours (utilization).
• Other duties as assigned.

You have the following technical skills and qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required. MBA preferred.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in transaction advisory, management consulting, operational due diligence, integration and separation, corporate strategy, private equity, or a related field required.
• Industry recognized professional certification required.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, including financial analysis, data modeling, and process mapping.
• Ability to synthesize complex information into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to travel as needed.

The base salary range for this position is between $170,200 and $212,750. 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.