Private Equity Director Client Relationship Executive

Grant Thornton is seeking an Private Equity Director Client Relationship Executive to join the team. Approved office locations can be found below.

Job Description:

Grant Thornton is seeking a Private Equity Director Client Relationship Executive (CRE) to drive growth across private equity funds and portfolio companies through deep, trust-based executive relationships, high-impact solution orchestration, and active daily prospecting. This leader serves as client growth strategist and seller, opening new doors for the with PE funds and portfolio companies. The role centers on Commercial Due Diligence while identifying additional M&A-related opportunities along the way. The PE CRE operates at the intersection of solution strategy, pursuit leadership, and executive relationship management - shaping how capabilities are packaged, positioned, and activated in the market.

Your Day-to-Day May Include:

Active Prospecting & Business Origination

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

PE Growth Leadership & Account Strategy

Lead PE account and pursuit strategies across assigned PE funds and portfolio companies, identifying opportunities to deliver Commercial Due Diligence services as a core focus alongside other Advisory opportunities

Serve as the originator of new client relationships with PE funds, building relationships that open access to portfolio-wide opportunities

Act as the deal/solution architect - shaping how GT brings capabilities together into clear value propositions, solution narratives, and commercially viable program structures

Translate client needs into scalable, differentiated solutions; partner with offering and solution strategy leaders to ensure solutions are executable and repeatable

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 Advisory pursuits to growth, risk, profitability, and performance priorities

Pursuit Leadership & Win Strategy

Identify winning strategies by deeply understanding client needs; coach pursuit teams through qualification, solutioning, pricing, and closing

Participate in solution-specific 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

Operational Discipline & Firm Stewardship

Regularly (daily) and consistently use CRM/OneView to ensure activity, pipeline, and customer data are current and decision-useful

Participate in the Sales Verification Process (SVP) for all origination claims

Model GT's commitment to quality, integrity, and trust in all client interactions

You Have the Following Technical Skills and Qualifications:

10+ years of progressive experience in professional services (commercial due diligence preferred), including experience working with private equity firms, portfolio companies, or PE-backed businesses, and experience in complex solution selling, or enterprise transformation pursuits with C-suite/Board-level buyers

Demonstrated success building and expanding executive relationships with PE fund executives, and driving measurable growth outcomes in a matrixed professional services environment

Ability to identify, coordinate, and advance commercial due diligence opportunities across PE funds and portfolio companies, in addition to other Advisory 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

Experience selling and structuring multi-year programs (including managed services / outsourcing / shared services models) preferred

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.

Travel up to 10% variable by portfolio

The base salary range for this position is between $185,000 and $278,000. 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. At Grant Thornton, compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.