Client Relationship Executive - Commercial (Director)

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.

About the role

This leader serves as a client growth strategist and commercial seller, opening new doors for the firm, translating client needs into actionable Audit and Tax pursuits, and identifying Advisory cross-sell opportunities where relevant. The Commercial CRE operates at the intersection of solution strategy, pursuit leadership, executive relationship management, and cross-service line growth — shaping how capabilities are packaged, positioned, and activated in the market.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Originate 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.
• Act as the deal/solution architect — shaping how Grant Thornton brings capabilities together into clear value propositions, solution narratives, and commercially viable program 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 Grant Thornton'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 Grant Thornton is competitive while protecting value.
• 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 Grant Thornton 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, Attestation, 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.

Schedule

Consistent with the firm's hybrid work model, this position will require in-person attendance at least three days per week, either at a Grant Thornton office or client site. Travel up to ~10%, variable by portfolio.

Pay

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. The total compensation package includes base salary and bonus.

Benefits

Grant Thornton supports personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all identities, roles, and aspirations. For an overview of benefit offerings, visit Grant Thornton Rewards and Benefits.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance programs.
• Employee assistance program.
• Paid sick leave (minimum of 72 hours).
• Eligibility to participate in the firm’s 401(k) savings plan and employee retirement plan (for seasonal employees, subject to applicable plan terms and eligibility requirements).
• Discretionary, annual bonus based on individual and firm performance (employees only, not interns or seasonal employees).
• Work-life integration options, including flexible work location and schedule.

About Us

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, offering 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 enhanced solutions and capabilities, backed by powerful technologies and a roster of 12,000 quality-driven professionals.