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Advisory Strategy & Transformation Leader

Overview

Grant Thornton’s Advisory business is entering a new era of accelerated growth and transformation. The firm is executing an ambitious strategy to redefine how a mid-market professional services organization scales, differentiates, and delivers value.

The Advisory Strategy & Transformation Leader has primary accountability for driving the transformation and be the operational architect of that change—driving growth, innovation, and performance across the operations. Reporting to the Advisory Managing Partner, this role has accountability blends broad-scale leadership, commercial impact, and transformation discipline to ensure the Advisory business achieves both the strategic intent of the investors and the sustained success of the partnership.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Growth Enablement

+ Partner with the Advisory Managing Partner and Executive Leadership, across Advisory and with the other lines of business, to translate strategic ambition into scalable execution and measurable value creation.

+ Define and operationalize a modern operating model that aligns client experience, delivery excellence, and margin expansion.

+ Drive AI-enabled transformation, embedding intelligent automation, data insights, and digital tools across all aspects of the business to improve speed, accuracy, and decision-making.

+ Lead growth initiatives across a multi-competency Advisory portfolio—including strategy, transformation, technology enablement, and managed services—to deliver integrated client value propositions.

+ Play an active leadership role in Advisory global platform expansion, driving key components of the global leadership strategy as other GT firms come onto the platform.

+ Partner with the Advisory Commercial Leader to implement and operationalize go-to-market practices, programs, and functions for sustained partner adoption and market performance (Alliances, EPICs, etc.). Champion initiatives that strengthen market position, accelerate responsiveness, and sustain profitable growth.

+ Supporting external acquisition and integration

Operational Excellence & Commercial Performance

+ Oversee delivery economics — including growth, DSO, utilization, realization, and book-to-burn metrics — ensuring operational levers directly improve revenue growth, speed to market, and profitability.

+ Enhance and oversee Advisory’s delivery mix model, integrating firm talent, offshore center capabilities, automation platforms, and independent contractor ecosystems to create an agile, scalable, and margin-accretive operating base.

+ Lead the introduction of strategic pricing and alternative commercial arrangements (e.g., value-based, outcome-based) that drive behavioral change across the partnership and incentivize client-aligned performance.

+ Integrate operational improvements with private-equity value-creation priorities, balancing near-term results with long-term scalability.

+ Lead the Advisory Operations team, providing strategic leverage for Solution Family Leadership as we move from a capability-based set of solutions to selling and delivering integrated solutions that scale and address our clients’ most pressing business problems.

Transformation & Change Leadership

+ Lead the Advisory transformation agenda to drive growth and margin expansion, ensuring disciplined governance, rapid decision cycles, and sustained adoption.

+ Drive automation-first process redesign across delivery and operations to unlock capacity and enable scale; influence best practices in supporting functions.

+ Create and lead a transformation office to coordinate priorities, track results, and sustain continuous improvement.

+ Serve as a trusted change agent who balances the needs of partners, investors, and clients—translating strategy into execution with speed, precision, and credibility.

People, Culture & Capability Development

+ Foster a high-performance, client-centric culture that values agility, accountability, and innovation.

+ Build leadership capability across the business, developing operational and transformation leaders who can drive performance at scale.

+ Embed a global mindset, connecting talent, tools, and expertise across borders to deliver seamlessly to clients.

+ Ensure independent contractors and contingent talent are used strategically as an integrated extension of the firm’s resource base, driving speed, cost efficiency, and access to specialized skills.

+ Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

+ Minimum of 10 years of senior leadership experience within Advisory, consulting, or professional services, with demonstrated success in scaling multi-competency businesses.

+ Proven experience in private-equity–backed or investor-owned services businesses in a C-Suite position, with strong understanding of enterprise value creation, cash discipline, and performance acceleration.

+ Substantial experience leading operations and transformation initiatives in a complex service environment, in the US and globally.

+ Proven record of leading large-scale operational and digital transformations, including automation, AI-driven process redesign, and data-based decision enablement.

+ Demonstrated success designing and running global delivery networks and integrated resource models leveraging both full-time and independent professionals.

+ Experience in strategic pricing innovation within partnership models—shifting from traditional time-and-materials to value- and outcome-based arrangements.

+ Strong commercial and financial acumen with deep understanding of consulting economics (utilization, realization, margin, and delivery efficiency).

+ Excellent relationship-building, influencing, and communication skills across partner, executive, and investor audiences.

+ Operates with pace and ambiguity with the ability to lead through change while driving measurable business results.

Core Competencies

+ Strategic Thinking & Business Acumen - Applies data-driven insights and considers alternative approaches to improve decision-making; capable of teeing up and helping drive upward business decisions that align with firm strategy.

+ Change Management - Leads organizational evolution over multi-year periods to align operations with industry best practices

+ Decision Making - Demonstrates sound judgment and provides clear guidance and direction to senior leadership.

+ Team Leadership and Motivation - Proven ability to lead and manage teams while fostering a positive, productive work environment; inspires and motivates others to action, using a honed and respected executive management skillset

+ Influence & Collaboration - Works effectively with partners and staff on strategic initiatives; uses interpersonal skills to gain support for ideas and initiatives through influence rather than control

+ Emotional Intelligence & Relationship Building - Thinks and acts with emotional intelligence; engenders trust, collegiality, and consensus-building; builds strong relationships across all levels of the firm.

+ Communication & Responsiveness - Communicates persuasively through effective writing and verbal presentations

+ Adaptability & Professionalism - Maintains a proactive, solution-oriented mindset with high flexibility and resilience; consistently demonstrates a polished, professional presence

Impact & Success Metrics

Success in this role will be defined by:

+ Transformation Velocity – measurable acceleration in execution, adoption, and business performance.

+ Margin Expansion & Cost Optimization – improved profitability through automation, pricing innovation, and delivery model evolution.

+ Scalable Global Operations – integrated use of global delivery and contractor resources to drive speed, market access, profitability, and client value.

+ Cultural Shift – measurable change in partner behavior, collaboration, and commercial orientation.

+ Market Differentiation – positioning Advisory as a growth leader within its competitive set.

Why This Role Matters

This is not a traditional operations role—it’s the value creation engine of the Advisory business. The Advisory Operating & Transformation Leader will bring together strategy, technology, people, and performance to deliver what the market and investors demand:

+ A faster, smarter, and more scalable firm.

+ A differentiated client and employee experience.

+ A tangible increase in enterprise value and market leadership.

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 unlimited flex time off, we empower you with the options to work in the way that best serves your clients and your life.

• 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.

• 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 Grant Thornton (https://www.grantthornton.com/careers/inclusion-and-belonging) .

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 Grant Thornton careers (https://www.grantthornton.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 [email protected]

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.