Client Relationship Executive - Commercial

About the role

Grant Thornton is seeking a Commercial Director Client Relationship Executive (CRE) to drive focused growth within Audit and Tax through relationship management, active prospecting, disciplined pipeline development, and strong collaboration across pursuit teams.

Responsibilities

• Active Prospecting & Business Origination (Primary)
• Meet sales production targets and goals with discipline and minimal oversight
• Identify new sales opportunities by consistently and systematically initiating contacts; pursue prospects to secure meetings and win referrals
• Lead Commercial account and pursuit strategies for priority clients and prospects, identifying new Audit and Tax opportunities and where Advisory cross-sell can expand client value
• Partner with RMPs, Audit & Tax Growth Leaders, PMDs, and pursuit teams to align client needs to relevant capabilities
• Translate client needs into scalable, differentiated solutions; partner with offering and solution strategy leaders to ensure solutions are executable and repeatable
• Drive proposal strategies that emphasize measurable outcomes, defined governance, and practical implementation plans (not just scopes and hours)
• Position GT's full-service approach — uniting data-driven insights, technology modernization, and shared services/outsourcing to deliver speed, efficiency, and ROI at scale
• Champion responsible, practical AI adoption in pursuit narratives, coordinating with AI and risk leaders as needed
• Maintain strong executive altitude in client conversations (Board/C-suite), aligning pursuits to growth, risk, profitability, and performance priorities
• Pursuit Leadership & Win Strategy
• Identify winning strategies by deeply understanding client needs; coach pursuit teams through qualification, solutioning, pricing, and closing
• Participate in Audit and Tax services sales presentations and executive working sessions; facilitate alignment across stakeholders
• Negotiate and participate in pricing strategy to ensure GT is competitive while protecting value
• Market Presence & Executive Connectivity
• Project executive presence; build effective relationships with senior Partners and C-Suite executives
• Cultivate relationships across executive networks, industry forums, and alliances to build GT relevance
• In partnership with marketing, activate events, campaigns, and thought leadership to build pipeline

Requirements

• 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, Atsation, 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)
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience required; MBA or other advanced degree preferred

Qualifications

• Travel up to ~10%, variable by portfolio

Benefits

• Total compensation package includes base salary and bonus
• Base salary range: $185,000 - $278,000
• Placement within the pay range is at Grant Thornton’s discretion, 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

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.

Team Information

• The team you’re about to join is ready to help you thrive. Here’s how:
• Work location, weekly schedule, or flex time off options are available to empower you to work the way that it best serves your clients and your life
• Personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles, and aspirations that make you, well, you
• 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

Additional Details

• Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
• Reasonable Accommodation Policy
• Los Angeles Applicants Only: Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance
• Massachusetts Applicants Only: Lie Detector Test Policy