Expense Analytics Associate Director

About the role

The Associate Director of Expense Analytics leads the firm’s end-to-end expense management function, ensuring consistent policy application, strong governance, and operational excellence firmwide. This role oversees expense strategy, including system optimization, compliance, audit, and analytics. This role serves as part of the Travel function, partnering with Meetings, Corporate Card, Finance, and firmwide stakeholders to drive alignment and performance.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute an expense management strategy aligned with firm growth and operating model
• Establish and enforce consistent firmwide T&E policies, ensuring audit-defensible compliance
• Lead standardization of processes, controls, and reporting across the firm
• Own the end-to-end expense lifecycle, including submission, audit, approval workflows, reimbursement, and financial integration
• Manage expense tool management, including configuration, process design, and continuous optimization
• Collaborate with Meetings and Corporate Card teams to ensure seamless integration from pre-spend through post-spend processes
• Oversee vendor relationships supporting expense operations, including performance management, service delivery, and alignment with firmwide objectives
• Develop and maintain T&E policy aligned with regulatory requirements and firm objectives
• Oversee audit program, including automated controls, exception handling, and compliance monitoring
• Lead escalation management and ensure consistent firmwide enforcement
• Deliver actionable insights on travel and expense spend, trends, and savings opportunities
• Develop dashboards and reporting to support leadership decision-making, budget oversight, and cost management
• Leverage data to enhance policy effectiveness and identify areas for improved controls or efficiency
• Lead and develop a high-performing expense team across U.S. and offshore operations, audit, and analytics

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, or a related field required
• 8+ years of relevant experience in travel & expense, finance operations, or a related field
• Experience leading and developing teams across expense operations and analytics, including U.S. and offshore resources
• Experience in implementing and managing T&E systems, automation tools, and reporting platforms (e.g., Emburse, SAP Concur)
• Strong understanding of corporate card programs, expense compliance, and audit best practices
• Advanced analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable business insights
• Ability to drive alignment across business units, supported by strong stakeholder management and executive communication skills
• Experience managing vendor relationships, including performance oversight, and service delivery
• Strong organizational skills including critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as attention to detail and multi-tasking skills

Pay

The base salary range for this position is between $136,000 and $175,000. 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 requires in-person attendance at least three days per week, either at a GT office or client site.