Corporate Development Analyst (Senior Associate)

Grant Thornton is seeking a Corporate Development Analyst to join the team. Approved office locations can be found below.

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Corporate Development Analyst to join our dynamic team within a leading, private equity-backed professional services firm. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in financial analysis, M&A execution, and strategic project management, and will play a critical role in supporting the firm’s growth initiatives, including acquisitions, partnerships, and other strategic projects.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning & Market Analysis

• Independently conduct advanced market research and competitive analysis to identify acquisition targets and strategic opportunities.
• Synthesize complex industry data and trends into actionable insights for senior leadership.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of long-term strategic plans and growth initiatives.

M&A and Investment Activities

• Build and maintain sophisticated financial models for potential acquisitions and investments, including scenario analysis and sensitivity testing.
• Lead valuation analyses using multiple methodologies (DCF, comparables, precedent transactions), and present findings to senior team members.
• Coordinate and support comprehensive due diligence processes, including liaising with cross-functional teams (legal, finance, operations, HR) to gather and analyze relevant information.
• Draft and review investment memos and presentations for executive leadership and board review.

Project Management & Execution

• Manage multiple concurrent corporate development projects, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, timelines, and deliverables.
• Track project progress, proactively identify risks or bottlenecks, and recommend solutions to ensure successful execution.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Prepare and deliver high-quality presentations, reports, and dashboards for internal and external stakeholders.
• Communicate complex analyses and recommendations clearly and concisely to senior management and cross-functional teams.

Continuous Improvement & Best Practices

• Identify opportunities to improve processes, tools, and methodologies within the corporate development function.
• Mentor junior analysts and contribute to team knowledge sharing and professional development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Economics, or a related field; advanced degree or relevant certification preferred.
• 2–4 years of experience in corporate development, investment banking, private equity, or consulting, preferably within professional services or knowledge-based industries.
• Strong financial modeling, valuation, and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with M&A due diligence and integration is highly desirable.

The base salary range for this position in the firm’s Chicago, IL office only is between $96,000 and $144,000 per year. 

The base salary range for this position in the firm's New York, NY office only is between $103,700 and $155,500 per year.

Salary : $96,000 - $144,000