Value Creation Manager

About the role

As a Value Creation Manager, you will work with private equity and corporate clients to evaluate operational opportunities and support execution across the transaction lifecycle. The team focuses on operational due diligence, cost assessments, synergy analysis, integration and separation planning, and post-close execution. You will collaborate with experienced professionals to help clients assess risks, identify opportunities, and develop actionable plans to maximize value before and after a transaction.

Responsibilities

• Manage buy-side and sell-side transaction engagements in coordination with Financial Due Diligence, IT, Supply Chain, Human Capital, and other diligence teams.
• Lead operational due diligence workstreams to assess business performance, operational risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Manage standalone, one-time, and stranded cost assessments.
• Lead synergy assessments and interdependency analyses.
• Lead cost optimization assessments to drive EBITDA improvement, including baselining of operations, procurement, SG&A, and overhead spend; identifying and sizing initiatives (base/high cases, one-time-to-achieve, HC vs. non-HC); and building prioritized roadmaps with clear owners, timing, and risks.
• Lead cash and working capital optimization workstreams (AR, AP, inventory) alongside cost levers to deliver a holistic plan, and oversee initiative tracking, governance, and realization reporting from identification through post-close execution.
• Oversee Day 1 readiness and 100-day planning efforts.
• Develop integration and separation plans, from high-level blueprints to detailed multi-phase workplans.
• Provide Integration Management Office (IMO), Separation Management Office (SMO), and Transition Management Office (TMO) leadership and support.
• Lead Transition Services Agreement (TSA) scoping, negotiation support, and schedule preparation.
• Support operating model design and organizational structure planning.
• Manage change management and stakeholder communication efforts.
• Manage client relationships.
• Prepare clear and concise reports and presentations for clients and other stakeholders.
• Manage multiple engagements simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality work.
• Lead and support business development activities, including identifying new client opportunities, developing proposals, budgets, and work plans, and participating in meetings with prospective clients.
• Mentor and develop junior team members, providing guidance and support to help them grow professionally.
• Perform detailed analysis to identify opportunities for improvement and document conclusions.
• Assist with training sessions to support team upskilling.
• Serve as a coach and mentor to other team members in support of their professional development.
• Meet or exceed targeted billing hours (utilization).
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required. MBA preferred.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in transaction advisory, management consulting, operational due diligence, integration and separation, corporate strategy, private equity, or a related field.
• Industry-recognized professional certification required.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including financial analysis, data modeling, and process mapping.
• Ability to synthesize complex information into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to travel as needed.

Pay

The base salary range for this position is between $170,200 and $212,750. Placement within the pay range is at Grant Thornton’s discretion and is based on factors including job-related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, progression within the role, geographic location, and internal equity.

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 GT office or client site.

Benefits

Grant Thornton offers personalized and comprehensive benefits, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance programs.
• Employee assistance program.
• Paid sick leave (minimum of 72 hours).
• Paid firm holidays that fall within the employment period (for interns and seasonal employees).
• Eligibility to participate in the firm’s 401(k) savings plan and employee retirement plan (for seasonal employees, subject to applicable plan terms).
• Discretionary, annual bonus based on individual and firm performance (for eligible employees, excluding interns and seasonal employees).
• Work-life integration options, including flexible work arrangements.