HR Consulting Director

Grant Thornton • Chicago, IL

23h

About The Position

Grant Thornton is seeking an accomplished Director to join our HR Consulting practice, supporting clients with HR Diligence, designing modern HR Operating Models and leading complex HR and people-focused transformations. This role combines strategic advisory capability with hands on delivery experience, spanning HR due diligence, post deal integration/separation, organizational design, and HR operating model redesign.
The ideal candidate brings deep expertise across the HR value chain, strong consulting acumen, and a proven track record of steering clients through large scale change while influencing executive stakeholders and driving measurable outcomes. This role will also lead sales and proposal opportunities, contribute to firm-building activities such as thought leadership and go-to-market offerings, and develop talent on project teams and across the practice.
Your day-to-day may include:
Lead HR due diligence for M&A, assessing people, culture, structure, costs, and risks.
Analyze HR data to identify value opportunities and liabilities.
Produce diligence reports and recommendations.
Partner with cross‑functional deal teams throughout the transaction process.
Align structure, roles, and governance to business strategy.
Design future‑state HR operating models and service delivery structures.
Evaluate current capabilities and identify improvement opportunities.
Develop process frameworks, workforce plans, and tech‑enablement strategies.
Build business cases and implementation road maps.
Lead multi‑workstream HR transformation initiatives.
Drive org design, process redesign, policy alignment, and culture change.
Oversee change management and transformation governance.
Advise senior HR leaders and the C‑suite on people strategy and modernization.
Build strong executive relationships and expand account opportunities.
Facilitate workshops and executive decision‑making sessions.
Contribute to new offerings, frameworks, and market insights.
Support proposals, solution design, pricing, and sales efforts.
Publish thought leadership and represent the firm externally.
Lead, mentor, and develop consulting teams.
Build capabilities and support career growth.
Foster an inclusive, high‑performing team culture.
Other duties as assigned
You have the following technical skills and qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Organizational Development, or a related field.
Master’s degree (MBA, MSOD, MHR) strongly preferred.
HR or change-related certification (e.g., SHRM SCP, SPHR, Prosci)
10+ years in HR transformation and consulting, with a proven track record of managing large projects and teams.
Deep knowledge of HR operating models including people, process, technology, and service delivery.
Experience leading and executing on HR Diligence across all aspects of people and the HR function.
Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and executive-level communication.
Ability to influence senior stakeholders and deliver high-impact solutions in complex environments.
Ability to align transformation initiatives with broader business strategy and workforce trends.
Familiarity with automation tools and data analytics to drive process improvement.
Track record of mentoring teams, developing intellectual capital, and driving practice growth.
Strong project management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Have excellent verbal and written communication skills
Can travel as needed. Up to 50%.

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.
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 unlimited flex time off, we empower you with the options to work in the way that best serves your clients and your life.
• 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.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Organizational Development, or a related field.
• 10+ years in HR transformation and consulting, with a proven track record of managing large projects and teams.
• Deep knowledge of HR operating models including people, process, technology, and service delivery.
• Experience leading and executing on HR Diligence across all aspects of people and the HR function.
• Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and executive-level communication.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and deliver high-impact solutions in complex environments.
• Ability to align transformation initiatives with broader business strategy and workforce trends.
• Familiarity with automation tools and data analytics to drive process improvement.
• Track record of mentoring teams, developing intellectual capital, and driving practice growth.
• Strong project management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Have excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Can travel as needed. Up to 50%.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree (MBA, MSOD, MHR) strongly preferred.
• HR or change-related certification (e.g., SHRM SCP, SPHR, Prosci)

Responsibilities

• Lead HR due diligence for M&A, assessing people, culture, structure, costs, and risks.
• Analyze HR data to identify value opportunities and liabilities.
• Produce diligence reports and recommendations.
• Partner with cross‑functional deal teams throughout the transaction process.
• Align structure, roles, and governance to business strategy.
• Design future‑state HR operating models and service delivery structures.
• Evaluate current capabilities and identify improvement opportunities.
• Develop process frameworks, workforce plans, and tech‑enablement strategies.
• Build business cases and implementation road maps.
• Lead multi‑workstream HR transformation initiatives.
• Drive org design, process redesign, policy alignment, and culture change.
• Oversee change management and transformation governance.
• Advise senior HR leaders and the C‑suite on people strategy and modernization.
• Build strong executive relationships and expand account opportunities.
• Facilitate workshops and executive decision‑making sessions.
• Contribute to new offerings, frameworks, and market insights.
• Support proposals, solution design, pricing, and sales efforts.
• Publish thought leadership and represent the firm externally.
• Lead, mentor, and develop consulting teams.
• Build capabilities and support career growth.
• Foster an inclusive, high‑performing team culture.
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Whether it’s your work location, weekly schedule or unlimited flex time off, we empower you with the options to work in the way that best serves your clients and your life.
• 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
• For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit: https://www.grantthornton.com/careers/rewards-and-benefits
• 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.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director