PE Client Relationship Sr Associate

Grant Thornton is seeking a Private Equity Client Relationship Senior Associate to join the team in New York, NY. 

The Private Equity Client Relationship Senior Associate is a key contributor to Grant Thornton’s growth strategy in the private equity sector. This role partners with senior private equity executives to drive new account acquisition, strengthen existing relationships, and expand the firm’s tax, audit, and advisory services across target markets. The position requires a relationship-oriented professional with strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills who thrives in a dynamic, client-facing environment.  The role will transition, over time, to a self-sustaining business development executive. 

Key Responsibilities and Essential Functions

• Collaborate with senior private equity executives to identify, pursue, and secure new client relationships while supporting the growth of existing accounts.
• Assist in the sale and delivery of Grant Thornton’s tax, audit, and advisory services to private equity firms and their portfolio companies.
• Engage directly with investment and operating executives at both the fund and portfolio company levels on issue analysis, solution proposals, engagement management and client satisfaction.
• Support business development initiatives by assisting in opening new doors, generating opportunities, and expanding relationships across industries and service lines.
• Coordinate with internal teams to ensure seamless collaboration, communication, and execution of pursuits.
• Identify, qualify, and pursue new sales opportunities with prospects and select existing client accounts as a team or sole contributor. 
• Build effective, collaborative relationships with key decision-makers at private equity firms.
• Develop and be responsible for updating account plans and relationship maps to broaden client relationships 
• Participate in sales presentations and conduct face-to-face or virtual meetings with prospects.
• Work directly with Partners, Principals, and Managing Directors to manage the pursuit process
• Represent Grant Thornton in industry organizations and informal networks to build and sustain a robust set of professional relationships.
• Partner with marketing to execute events and outreach campaigns that engage targets and strengthen the Grant Thornton brand.
• Collaborate with functional, industry, and geographic service line leaders to maximize cross-selling opportunities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Success Criteria

• Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple initiatives with precision and urgency.
• Strong analytical skills to synthesize complex data from multiple sources into actionable insights.
• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and coordination skills, with the ability to influence and build trust across diverse stakeholders.
• Experience or knowledge in pipeline, opportunity, and relationship management, with a solid understanding of consultative sales processes.
• Proven ability to work effectively with senior executives, client decision-makers, and cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Background in business development, sales, or client relationship management, ideally within professional services or private equity environments.
• Familiarity with private equity structures, portfolio company dynamics, and value creation drivers.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a relationship-first mindset and commitment to delivering client value.
• Proficiency in Microsoft business applications (Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.).
• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, accounting, or equivalent professional experience.

The base salary range for this position in the firm’s Iselin, NJ and New York, NY offices only is between $95,040 and $142,560 per year.

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