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)
  • Conduct active, rigorous daily prospecting across assigned accounts, targets, and markets — originating new business through outbound calls, executive meetings, and relationship development
  • Meet sales production targets and goals with discipline and minimal oversight
  • Originatnew salesopportunities by consistently and systematically initiating contacts; pursue prospects to secure meetings and win referrals
• Commercial Growth Leadership & Account Strategy
  • 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
  • Act as the deal/solution architect — shaping how GT brings capabilities together into clear value propositions, solution narratives, and commerciallyviableprogram structures
  • 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
  • Lead cross-solution opportunity development by identifying where additional Audit, Tax, or Advisory capabilities may strengthen pursuit strategy
  • Build deep relationships with relevant executives and buyers across client organizations to create new access and generate qualified commercial pipeline
  • 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
  • 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
  • Identify key decision makers at client and prospect organizations at the C-Suite and Board levels
  • 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)
• 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

• Base salary range: $172,000 - $258,000
• Travel up to ~10%, variable by portfolio

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance programs
• Employee assistance program
• Minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave
• Discretionary, annual bonus based on individual and firm performance

Pay

The total compensation package for this role includes base salary and bonus. The base salary range for this position is between $172,000 and $258,000. 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.

Schedule

This position will require in-person attendance at least three days per week, either at a GT office or client site.