Relationship Strategy & Enablement Director
Grant Thornton is seeking a Relationship Strategy & Enablement Director to join the team. Approved office locations can be found below. At Grant Thornton, our unique combination of scale and agility along with our industry-specific focus helps us provide timely due diligence, transaction support and portfolio company value creation services. Serving over 1600 PE-backed portfolio company clients with over 600 PE firm relationships, our wealth of experience in private equity helps us perform unparalleled tax and audit services for our PE firm clients and their portfolio companies. We are seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to serve as the Relationship Strategy & Enablement Director within our Private Equity division. This role is responsible for designing and delivering training programs that enhance relationship management capabilities across our private equity teams, with a focus on strategic client engagement, portfolio company interaction, and deal execution excellence.
Your day-to-day may include : designing and implementing training modules focused on relationship management and strategic communication; facilitating workshops and coaching sessions for managers, senior managers, directors, and senior leaders on best practices in client and stakeholder engagement; developing onboarding programs for new hires entering relationship-focused roles in private equity; providing subject matter expertise on cultivating and maintaining multi-level relationships with investors, portfolio company executives, and external partners; training teams on negotiation strategies, conflict resolution, and stakeholder alignment; supporting the development of relationship strategies that drive long-term value creation; collaborating with P&C and Learning & Effectiveness teams to integrate relationship training into broader talent development initiatives; assessing training effectiveness through feedback, performance metrics, and ROI analysis; and continuously refining training content based on industry trends, internal needs, and participant feedback. Other duties as assigned.
You have the following technical skills and qualifications : a bachelor's degree in business, talent management, or related field; 10+ years of experience in consulting, strategic operations, or training and development; ideally within professional services or PE environments; proven experience in private equity, investment banking, or financial services with a focus on relationship management; strong understanding of private equity investment cycles, portfolio management, and deal execution; exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills; experience in adult learning, coaching, or corporate training required; excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop and maintain outstanding internal and external relationships; experience in developing and implementing processes and procedures to enhance operational efficiency; ability to identify opportunities for improvement and drive change; advanced skills with Microsoft applications : Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint; highly collaborative and able to work within and through teams to achieve stated goals; executive coaching certifications a plus; ability to travel (up to 50%) as needed.
About Us At Grant Thornton, we believe in making business more personal and building trust into every result for our clients and you. Here, we go beyond your expectations of a career in professional services by offering a career path with more : more opportunity, more flexibility, and more support. It's what makes us different, and we think being different makes us better. In the U.S., 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. The platform offers 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 a singular client experience that includes enhanced solutions and capabilities, backed by powerful technologies and a roster of 12,000 quality-driven professionals enjoying exceptional career-growth opportunities and a distinctive cross-border culture. Grant Thornton is part of the Grant Thornton International Limited network, which provides access to its member firms in more than 150 global markets. About the team The team you're about to join is ready to help you thrive. Here's how : whether it's your work location, weekly schedule, or flex time off, we empower you with the options to work in the way that best serves your clients and your life. Consistent with the firm's hybrid work model, this position will require in-person attendance at least two days per week, either at a GT office or client site. Here, you are supported to prioritize your overall well-being through work-life integration options that work best for you and those in your household. We understand that your needs, responsibilities and experiences are different and we think that's a good thing. That's why we support you with personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles and aspirations that make you, well, you. See how at www.gt.com / careers. Here's what you can expect next : if you apply and are selected to interview, a Grant Thornton team member will reach out to you to schedule a time to connect. We encourage you to also check out other roles that may be a good fit for you or get to know us a little bit better at www.gt.com / careers.
Benefits : we support you with personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles and aspirations that make you, well, you. For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit : https : / / www.grantthornton.com / careers / rewards-and-benefits. Benefits for internship positions : Grant Thornton interns are eligible to participate in the firm's medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm's employee assistance program. Interns also receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave and are paid for firm holidays that fall within their internship period. Benefits for seasonal employee positions : Grant Thornton seasonal employees are eligible to participate in the firm's medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm's employee assistance program. Seasonal employees may also be eligible to participate in the firm's 401(k) savings plan and employee retirement plan in accordance with applicable plan terms and eligibility requirements. Seasonal employees receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave. Grant Thornton employees may be eligible for a discretionary, annual bonus based on individual and firm performance, subject to the terms, conditions and eligibility criteria of the applicable bonus plan or program. Interns and seasonal employees are not eligible for bonus compensation.
Director Strategy • Chicago, IL, US