Demo

Value Creation Senior Associate

Grant Thornton - US
Chicago, IL Full Time
POSTED ON 5/22/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 7/22/2026

As a Value Creation Senior Associate, 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 work closely with experienced professionals to help clients assess risks, identify opportunities, and develop actionable plans to maximize value before and after a transaction for the Grant Thornton | Stax Transactions Practice – all with the resources, environment, and support to help you excel.

From day one, you’ll be empowered to help clients make the moves that will help them achieve their vision and help you achieve more, confidently. 

 

Your day-to-day may include:

  • Supporting buy-side and sell-side transaction engagements in coordination with Financial Due Diligence, IT, Supply Chain, Human Capital, and other diligence teams.
  • Conducting operational due diligence to assess business performance, operational risks, and opportunities for improvement.
  • Supporting cost and cash optimization initiatives — including spend baselining, cost diagnostics, and identification of EBITDA improvement opportunities across operations, procurement, SG&A, and overhead — with sizing of value at the initiative level and tracking through execution.
  • Performing standalone, one-time, and stranded cost assessments.
  • Assisting with synergy assessments and interdependency analyses.
  • Supporting Day 1 readiness and 100-day planning efforts.
  • Developing integration and separation plans, from high-level blueprints to detailed multi-phase workplans.
  • Providing Integration Management Office (IMO), Separation Management Office (SMO), and Transition Management Office (TMO) support.
  • Assisting with Transition Services Agreement (TSA) scoping and schedule preparation.
  • Supporting operating model design and organizational structure planning.
  • Contributing to change management and stakeholder communication efforts.
  • Preparing clear and concise reports, presentations, and client deliverables.
  • Performing quantitative and qualitative analyses to identify opportunities and support recommendations.
  • Helping coordinate client relationships and ensuring timely delivery of high-quality work.
  • Other duties as assigned.

 

You have the following technical skills and qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree required.
  • Minimum 3 years of experience in transaction advisory, management consulting, operational due diligence, integration and separation, corporate strategy, private equity, or a related field required.
  • Industry related certifications are a plus.
  • Experience supporting one or more of the following:
    • Operational due diligence
    • Cost assessments and performance improvement
    • Synergy analysis
    • M&A integration
    • Carve-out and separation planning
    • Day 1 and 100-day planning
  • 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.

 

 #LI-MF1

 

The base salary range for this position is between $128,800 and $164,220. 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. 

Salary : $128,800 - $164,220

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