Value Creation Manager

Grant Thornton (US); Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 213,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Grant Thornton in the United States is seeking a Value Creation Manager to work with private equity and corporate clients on operational opportunities across the transaction lifecycle. You will lead operational due diligence, cost optimization, synergy analysis, and post-close execution, coordinating with cross-functional teams to deliver actionable plans.

This role supports Day 1 readiness, integration and separation planning, and client relationships within a hybrid work model requiring

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.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead buy-side and sell-side transaction engagements with cross‑functional teams.
• Lead operational due diligence workstreams to assess performance, risks and opportunities.
• Manage standalone, one‑time, and stranded cost assessments.
• Lead synergy assessments and interdependency analyses.
• Lead cost optimization assessments to drive EBITDA improvement with roadmaps.
• Oversee cash and working capital optimization workstreams alongside cost levers.
• Oversee Day 1 readiness and 100‑day planning efforts.
• Develop integration and separation plans across multi‑phase workplans.
• Provide IMO/SMO/TMO leadership and support.
• Lead TSA scoping, negotiation support, and schedule preparation.
• Support operating model design and organizational structure planning.
• Manage change management and stakeholder communication.
• Manage client relationships and prepare reports for stakeholders.
• Mentor junior team members and support business development.
• Ensure timely delivery and high‑quality work.

Skills

Financial analysis

Data modeling

Process mapping

Presentation skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree

MBA preferred

Industry certification

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

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.

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.

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.

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

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 LLP 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 condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Gran Thornton does not require or administer lie detector tests as a condition of employments or continued employment.