Director (Commercial Due Diligence)

About the role

Work directly with leading private equity firms, growth investors, and Fortune 500 executives on high-stakes strategic and transaction decisions.

Lead high-impact engagements with real ownership—Directors shape the work, drive client outcomes, and influence investment decisions from day one.

Experience the best of both worlds: the entrepreneurial culture and agility of a boutique consulting firm combined with the scale, reach, and platform of Grant Thornton.

Gain broad exposure across industries, transaction types, and growth challenges in a model designed to accelerate commercial judgment and leadership development.

Operate in lean, collaborative teams where senior leaders are accessible, mentorship is real, and contributions are visible.

Help build a rapidly growing platform post-acquisition, with opportunities to shape capabilities, develop new offerings, and contribute to firm-wide growth initiatives.

Deliver meaningful client impact without the traditional road-warrior consulting lifestyle through a more sustainable, low-travel operating model.

Join a high-performance culture that values intellectual curiosity, initiative, collaboration, and merit-based advancement.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex buy-side and sell-side due diligence engagements for corporate and private equity clients
• Evaluate market opportunity, growth sustainability, customer behavior, competitive positioning, and revenue risk
• Translate analyses into executive-level and investment-committee-ready insights that influence deal decisions
• Serve as a senior client advisor, building long-term relationships and managing executive stakeholder expectations
• Drive integrated diligence delivery, partnering closely with Financial DD, Value Creation, IT, and Human Capital leaders
• Oversee engagement economics, quality, and delivery across multiple concurrent transactions
• Lead and contribute to business development, including proposals, client presentations, and account expansion
• Develop thought leadership, methodologies, and go-to-market materials aligned to Commercial DD and Value Creation
• Recruit, mentor, and develop managers and team members; provide career coaching and performance feedback
• Contribute to firm-building initiatives and practice growth efforts

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Economics, Finance, Strategy, or a related field
• Typically, 8–10+ years of experience in commercial due diligence, strategy consulting, transaction advisory, or private equity
• Proven experience leading PE-backed and corporate M&A diligence engagements
• Strong expertise in:
• Market sizing and growth assessment
• Customer and revenue analysis
• Competitive and industry dynamics
• Demonstrated ability to influence executive and investor decision-making
• Track record of managing teams, client relationships, and complex engagements
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills

Preferred

• Private equity or investment committee-facing experience
• Advanced degree (MBA or equivalent)
• Experience supporting post-close value creation or growth strategy

Locations

• Chicago
• Boston
• New York City

Pay

This role offers competitive compensation, including a base salary range of $230,000–$300,000, plus a target annual bonus. Grant Thornton Stax follows a pay-for-performance compensation philosophy, base salary is commensurate with experience, and total cash compensation may vary based on individual and firm performance.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family
• Expanded family planning benefits
• A 401(k) plan with company contributions regardless of your own
• An open vacation policy
• Life and disability insurance
• Generous parental leave
• Pre-tax transit benefits
• Mobile phone stipend
• Wellness reimbursement
• Charitable gift matching