Grant Thornton's Value Creation practice partners with private equity firms and corporate clients to drive measurable results before, during and after transactions. Our professionals support mergers, acquisitions, integrations, separations, carve-outs, transformations and performance improvement initiatives. By combining strategic insight with hands-on execution, the team helps clients achieve transaction objectives, realize synergies and deliver sustainable value.
Your day-to-day may include:
- Work as part of a cross-functional leadership team to manage, execute, and deliver Value Creation services for integrations, separations, and carve-outs for private equity and strategic clients.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to clients throughout the transaction lifecycle, rapidly assessing operating models, identifying key risks and dependencies, and translating the investment thesis into actionable integration or separation plans.
- Lead complex integration, separation, and carve-out engagements, including cross-functional planning, execution governance, and coordination across Finance, IT, HR, Supply Chain, Marketing, and other business functions.
- Guide clients from diligence through close and post-close execution, including Transition Service Agreement (TSA) strategy, Day 1 readiness, Day 90 planning, TSA exit, and stabilization.
- Develop target operating models, standalone cost assessments, value-driven reports, financial models, executive-level recommendations, and implementation roadmaps based on transaction impacts.
- Lead Integration Management Office (IMO) or Separation Management Office (SMO) activities, including program governance, workstream coordination, dependency management, risk escalation, and executive reporting.
- Lead buy-side and sell-side workstreams, including separation planning, entanglement analysis, operational readiness, and the stand-up of standalone or NewCo capabilities.
- Apply appropriate data collection and analytical techniques to evaluate processes, costs, benefits, risks, and opportunities, and clearly document conclusions and recommendations.
- Build and maintain trusted relationships with client executives, deal teams, functional leaders, and third parties to align priorities and drive timely decisions.
- Lead and support business development activities, including opportunity identification, proposal development, solution design, scoping, budgeting, and other pursuit activities.
- Contribute to the continued development of the Integration & Separation offering, including methodologies, tools, training, and market-facing thought leadership.
- Coach and mentor managers, senior associates, and associates, supporting their development and promoting high-quality client delivery.
- Meet or exceed targeted billing hours and other performance expectations.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
You have the following technical skills and qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, Engineering, or a related field required; MBA or other advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in management consulting, transaction advisory, corporate development, integration management, separation management, or value creation.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex M&A integrations, separations, carve-outs, or divestitures across multiple functional workstreams.
- Hands-on experience with IMO or SMO governance, Day 1 readiness, Day 90 planning, target operating models, and Transition Service Agreements, including TSA scoping, management, or exit planning.
- Demonstrated business development experience, including building client relationships and contributing to proposals, solution development, and pursuit activities.
- Strong executive presence and communication skills, with experience advising senior leaders and working effectively across cross-functional teams.
- Demonstrated creative problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, with experience in data analysis, financial modeling, process mapping, or operating model design.
- Proven ability to lead teams, manage multiple priorities, and deliver high-quality work in fast-paced, complex transaction environments.
- Industry-recognized certifications such as PMI/PMP, M&A Professional (M&AP), or Certified Post Merger Integration Specialist (CPMI) preferred.
- Ability to travel as needed.
The base salary range for this position is between $223,514 and $289,171. 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 UsAt 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 TeamThe team you’re about to join is ready to help you thrive. Here’s how:
- 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 LLP (US) Chicago, Illinois, USA Office
171 N. Clark Street, Suite 200, Chicago, IL, United States, 60601
Grant Thornton LLP (US) Downers Grove, Illinois, USA Office
3333 Finley Rd, Ste 700, Downers Grove, United States, 60515
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