Grant Thornton is seeking a Customer Platforms COE Associate Director to join the team in Chicago, IL.
The Associate Director, Customer Platforms COE sits within the Customer Platforms Strategy team in the Go-To-Market organization. This role is specifically accountable for leading the Customer Platforms Center of Excellence (COE) for M&A, integration, and onboarding activities, ensuring that newly acquired or integrated teams are successfully transitioned onto Grant Thornton’s global customer platforms without disrupting client relationships, pipeline, or operations.
The Customer Platforms Strategy team is the function within the Go-To-Market organization responsible for the strategy, governance, and operational performance of the firm's commercial technology ecosystem including CRM, sales enablement, and client intelligence platforms used by go-to-market and commercial teams across the firm. The COE is a core part of this team, operating as a strategic partner to the business, focused on driving adoption and ensuring teams joining the GT network are onboarded effectively onto our global customer platform.
Your Day to Day
Lead the Customer Platforms COE (M&A & Integration Scope)
- Own the strategy, operating model, and execution of the Customer Platforms COE for M&A, integration, and onboarding initiatives
- Serve as the primary commercial platform lead for acquisitions, integrations, and firm expansion efforts impacting go-to-market teams
- Establish and maintain clear intake, prioritization, and governance processes for integration-related work
- Partner closely with platform operations, data governance, IT, and integration teams to ensure readiness and execution alignment
- Act as a trusted advisor to integration leaders and incoming executive teams on commercial platform transition strategy
- Monitor adoption and productivity metrics and develop targeted interventions where gaps exist
- Partner with service line and go-to-market leadership to build sustained engagement and a culture of effective platform use
- Ensure training is practical, role-relevant, and grounded in how our commercial teams actually work
Oversee Onboarding onto the Global Customer Platform
- Lead onboarding strategy and discovery for any team joining the GT network including acquisitions, new market entries, or firm expansions to understand their current commercial operations, client relationships, sales processes, and data landscape
- Define what a successful transition onto the global customer platform looks like and own the plan to get there without disrupting ongoing client activity
- Serve as the primary point of continuity between incoming teams and GT's commercial standards, ensuring new teams are set up to operate at full capability from day one
- Partner with integration teams, incoming leadership, and GT stakeholders to execute onboarding on schedule and within scope
- Maintain and refine frameworks that support consistent, repeatable onboarding regardless of the size or complexity of the incoming team
Contribute to Platform Strategy
- Partner with the Director and the broader Customer Platforms Strategy team to inform the long-term customer platforms roadmap in alignment with firm growth priorities
- Represent the Customer Platforms in cross-functional discussions with Commercial teams, Finance, Marketing and other firm functions
- Ensure COE standards and governance practices reflect how our go-to-market and commercial teams operate and evolve as the business does
- Other duties as assigned
You Have the Following Experience
What You've Done
- 8+ years in revenue operations, go-to-market enablement, sales operations, or a related commercial role
- Driven platform adoption across go-to-market or commercial teams in a professional services or client-facing organization
- Led onboarding, commercial integration, or systems transition work including in M&A or firm expansion contexts
- Led and developed teams in a matrixed, professional services environment
- Operated as a business-side owner of CRM platforms (Dynamics 365 or equivalent) configuration or development experience is not required
What Sets You Apart
- You lead with business outcomes, not system features technology is the means, not the end
- You understand what go-to-market and commercial teams need to be productive, and you know how to remove the friction that gets in their way
- You know how to influence senior stakeholders and shift entrenched behaviors across a complex organization
- You bring structure to ambiguous environments and create operating models that hold up over time
- You communicate with confidence at the executive level and make complex ideas accessible without losing substance
- Professional services, Big 4, or financial advisory background strongly preferred
The base salary range for this position is between $152,000 and $228,000. 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.
About Company
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 the way that it best serves your clients and your life. 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.
• 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
• When it comes to inclusion, we are committed to doing more than checking boxes. Explore all the ways we’re taking action for diversity, equity & inclusion at www.gt.com/careers
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.
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. For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit: https://www.grantthornton.com/careers/rewards-and-benefits
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.
It is the policy of Grant Thornton to promote equal employment opportunities. All personnel decisions (including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, working conditions, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, evaluations, and termination) are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital or civil union status, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic predisposition or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws, it is the policy of Grant Thornton to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. To make an accommodation request, please contact [email protected].
For Los Angeles Applicants only: We will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
For Massachusetts Applicants only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Grant Thornton does not require or administer lie detector tests as a condition of employment or continued employment.
• Whether it's your work location, weekly schedule, or flex time off, we empower you with the options to work the way that it best serves your clients and your life. 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.
• 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
• When it comes to inclusion, we are committed to doing more than checking boxes. Explore all the ways we’re taking action for diversity, equity & inclusion 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 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. 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.
Additional Details:
It is the policy of Grant Thornton to promote equal employment opportunities. All personnel decisions (including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, working conditions, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, evaluations, and termination) are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital or civil union status, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic predisposition or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws, it is the policy of Grant Thornton to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. To make an accommodation request, please contact [email protected].
For Los Angeles Applicants only: We will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
For Massachusetts Applicants only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Grant Thornton does not require or administer lie detector tests as a condition of employment or continued employment.
Company
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.
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.