Job Description
Grant Thornton is seeking a Senior Director, Head of Executive Search to join the team. Approved office locations can be found below.
Position Summary:
The Senior Director, Head of Executive Search is an integral role within the People and Culture (P&C) organization. This role will report directly to the Chief People & Culture Officer (CPCO) and is responsible for partnering with Firm executives and Service Line leaders to provide a comprehensive strategic vision for all executive talent hire recruiting. This includes overseeing the Executive hire recruiting team and working closely with, University Recruiting and Experience Hire Recruiting across the U.S. It is critical that the Senior Director, Head of Executive Search collaborate and build effective relationships at all levels to ensure that talent acquisition delivery capabilities are effectively and efficiently leveraged within the business.
The Senior Director, Head of Executive Search is responsible for the strategic direction, execution and continuous improvement of the executive talent acquisition function. This highly visible role partners closely with senior leadership to attract, assess, and hire top-tier executive talent – including Managing Directors, Partners, Principals, and C-suite leaders – while ensuring a seamless and high-touch candidate experience. This role will partner with firm Leadership, TA Leadership, P&C Leadership and other stakeholders to ensure that executive recruiting efforts across the firm are being carried out in a timely, cost effective and legally sound manner.
The Senior Director, Head of Executive Search will lead the architecture of a progressive, bold, and comprehensive Executive Talent Acquisition Agenda that enables the firm’s Business Strategy. This Leader should possess strong business knowledge, project management experience, and exhibit strong communication skills. They will understand the nuances of recruiting across traditional and professional services channels and have strong leadership skills to efficiently and cost-effectively assure a high caliber workforce that will support Grant Thornton’s future growth objectives. The proper candidate for this role will have a business mindset with an appreciation for the revenue impact by not achieving certain goals. He or she will understand the importance and balance between a client service mindset while helping to maintain business profitability.
This Senior Director, Head of Executive Search serves as a key member of the P&C Leadership team and P&C community in the support of firm-wide goals and objectives, working with Partners and P&C staff to manage People & Culture risk and monitor AAP / EEO and other regulatory compliance.
Core Responsibilities:
- Lead a team to provide a world class executive talent acquisition capability to the business.
- Participate and oversee end-to-end recruitment process including sourcing, screening, interviewing, assessment, offer negotiation for executive-level roles.
- Develop a recruitment strategy that cost effectively delivers sources for a strong and diverse candidate pool.
- Develop a comprehensive strategy and plan for an organized and coordinated approach to Talent Acquisition by analyzing current and future talent acquisition needs including the determination of best model to use (what combination of in-source/ outsource, etc.).
- Develop, Implement and Drive a firm-wide executive recruiting strategy aligned with business goals and succession planning needs.
- Analyze current executive talent acquisition processes in collaboration with TA leaders (campus and experienced), identifying process efficiencies and determining go forward process plans, i.e. identify and implement best practices and workflows across the firm to help streamline and standardize processes firmwide.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and hiring partners, providing market insights, talent intelligence, and strategic counsel.
- Work with the business leaders for the sake of plan approval and budget support from Executive Leadership and Finance.
- Manage relationships with retained search firms, including contract negotiation and performance oversight, while minimizing external spend through effective internal sourcing strategies.
- Promote the firm’s employer brand in the executive talent market through targeted outreach, networking, and thought leadership.
- Lead and mentor a team of recruiters and coordinators, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous learning.
- Provide leadership for the evolution of talent acquisition technology, recruiting approaches, hiring tools, and partnership with HR and business functions.
- Evaluate, select and manage service providers, recruitment agencies and retained/contingency search firms. Assess and measure effectiveness and ensure compliance with negotiated agreements.
- Direct recruiting initiatives including integration of assessment tools, employment branding, employee referral program, interview skills training, etc.
- Maintain and enhance metrics to measure talent acquisition's effectiveness. Focusing on continuous improvement.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with firm leadership/stakeholders and P&C Business Leaders.
- Stay current and informed on industry best practices including new and innovative talent acquisition strategies, systems and technologies; makes recommendations and drives continuous improvement in talent acquisition practices.
- Provide input to the development and deployment of a compelling employment brand through multiple channels, including the strategic use of social media. Develop initiatives leveraging digital marketing to deliver a superior talent acquisition brand.
- Other duties as assigned
The ideal candidate will be:
- A business-minded talent acquisition leader with multiple years of increasingly responsible leadership positions with demonstrated ability to thrive in a culture that is collaborative, service-oriented, and consultative.
- Well versed in talent acquisition within a professional services or management consulting organization.
- Highly collaborative and action-oriented, with a proven leadership style characterized by strong influencing skills; and previous experiences driving change.
- A functional talent acquisition specialist who delivers services with a pragmatic approach to business partnership and operations.
- An outstanding talent leader with an engaging and approachable personality. Will have significant history of coaching and mentoring staff and influencing change at all levels.
- A proven expert in prioritization and negotiation with demonstrated ability to be effective in supporting multiple business leaders/Partners working in various locations across different business units.
- Confident with history of exhibiting strong personal initiative as someone who is willing to get out roll up their sleeves, and do whatever it takes to get the job done.
- Proven ability to think strategically and evolve recruiting practices.
- Metric-focused with ability and history of using analytics to solve problems and develop business solutions.
- A change agent who can build collaborative relationships across a matrix organization.
- Thinks team; not self.
- Ability to work additional hours and/or travel as needed.
The ideal candidate will possess:
- Bachelor’s degree in related field
- 15+ years of talent acquisition, recruiting management and leadership related experience.
- 5-10 years of talent acquisition experience within professional services or management consulting.
- Deep understanding of executive search methodologies, market mapping, and talent intelligence.
- Exceptional interpersonal and influencing skills with the ability to build trust at all levels.
- Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing talent acquisition strategies.
- Demonstrated success at utilizing alternative and innovative sourcing methods.
- Demonstrated experience in defining and implementing detailed talent acquisition processes.
- Demonstrated experience collaborating with leadership to define enterprise wide talent demand and development of hiring plan.
- Demonstrated ability to manage to the plan and provide necessary pushback for items out of plan that do not align with overarching business strategy.
- Strong verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
- A reputation for discretion, confidentiality integrity, judgment, responsiveness, and strong attention to detail.
- Demonstrated intermediate to advance computer skills in Microsoft Office suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio and Outlook
The base salary range for this position in the firm’s Chicago, IL office only is between $225,000 and $375,000 per year.
The base salary range for this position in the firm’s New York, NY office only is between $243,000 and $405,000 per year.
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
- 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 HR@us.gt.com.
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.
