As a Risk Advisory Director in the Not-for-Profit and Higher Education Practice, you will get the opportunity to grow and contribute to our clients' business needs by helping them understand their business risks and assist in addressing risk in both proactive and responsive contexts for the Risk, Compliance & Controls Practice – all with the resources, environment, and support to help you excel.
From day one, you’ll be empowered by the greater Risk team, supported by our AI and technology-enabled tools, to help clients make the moves that will help them achieve their mission and vision, and help you achieve more, confidently.
Your day-to-day may include:
- Review processes and internal controls across multiple risk domains to provide clients with an assessment of risk, internal control, and overall process effectiveness and efficiency – across the three lines of defense
Manage the development of leading practices-based recommendations for improvement that are ‘right-sized’ and appropriate for the not-for-profit and higher education industries, as well as the specific needs and circumstances of clients, related to internal controls, business and IT process optimization, cost reduction, revenue enhancement, fraud prevention, and compliance
Conduct entity and process level risk assessments and develop internal audit plans for client approval
- Assist with establishing and operating high performing internal audit functions, internal controls programs, enterprise risk management (ERM) programs, compliance programs, and other risk and consultative assessments for not-for-profit and higher education clients
Leverage artificial intelligence, analytics, and automation solutions to deliver client services efficiently and effectively
- Work closely with partners and team members to promptly identify and resolve client problems or issues
- Effectively communicate externally with clients and internally with all levels of the organization
- Perform engagement management responsibilities, including performance reviews, task delegation, project scheduling, project financials, quality review and client management
- Use network of business relationships to generate new sales opportunities
- Lead and support business development activities such as new relationship development, proposals, client account management, conferences, presentations, whitepapers, and other thought leadership
- Think strategically about practice enhancements, and actively contribute to implementing change
- Understand and manage firm risk on proposals and client engagements
- Coach, mentor, and develop team members, fostering professional growth and developing high performers
- Meet or exceed sales and growth targets
- Meet or exceed targeted billing hours (utilization)
- Interview campus and/or experienced candidates
- Other duties as assigned
You have the following technical skills and qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Risk Management, Information Technology, MIS, or a related field is required
- Minimum 10 years of related work experience in a similar consulting practice or function servicing cross-industry clients at a national level
Experience working for or with not-for-profit organizations or higher education institutions preferred
Experience with knowledge of processes, risks, controls and leading practices within not-for-profit and higher education industry-specific functions such as grants management, academic research, fundraising, student services, etc. preferred
Certification required, CPA, CIA, CISA, CISSP, CRMP, CFE or CISM preferred
- Experience establishing, operating, and/or assessing Internal Audit, internal controls, compliance, and/or enterprise risk management programs preferred.
- Experience assessing and designing internal controls within the not-for-profit and/or higher education industries that address strategic, operational, reporting, and compliance risks across financial, operational, administrative and information technology (IT) processes
- Strong understanding of COSO Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013), COSO Enterprise Risk Management Framework (2017), the Institute of Internal Auditors Global Standards
- Ability to execute multiple engagements and completing priorities in a rapidly growing team environment
- Ability and passion for developing and expanding relationships with current and prospective clients
- Experience participating in engagement pursuits, and preparing impactful materials in response to Requests for Information (RFI), Requests for Proposals (RFP) and other client engagement opportunities
- Strong supervisory, leadership development and collaboration skills
- Experience with artificial intelligence, data analytics and visualization platforms preferred
- Experience working with organizations that utilize SAP, Workday, Oracle, or Infor preferred
- Can travel as needed
The base salary range for this position is between $197,800 and $255,904. 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, 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.
About UsAt 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 TeamThe team you’re about to join is ready to help you thrive. Here’s how:
- 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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Risk Management, Information Technology, MIS, or a related field
- At least 10 years of related experience in a similar consulting practice or function serving cross-industry clients nationally
- Professional certification such as CPA, CIA, CISA, CISSP, CRMP, CFE, or CISM
- Experience assessing and designing internal controls addressing strategic, operational, reporting, and compliance risks
- Strong understanding of COSO Internal Control Integrated Framework, COSO Enterprise Risk Management Framework, and Institute of Internal Auditors Global Standards
- Ability to execute multiple engagements and complete priorities in a rapidly growing team environment
- Ability to develop and expand relationships with current and prospective clients
- Experience participating in engagement pursuits and preparing RFI and RFP responses
- Strong supervisory, leadership development, and collaboration skills
- Experience working with or for not-for-profit organizations or higher education institutions
- Knowledge of processes, risks, controls, and leading practices in not-for-profit and higher education functions
- Experience establishing, operating, or assessing internal audit, internal controls, compliance, or enterprise risk management programs
- Experience with artificial intelligence, data analytics, and visualization platforms
- Experience with SAP, Workday, Oracle, or Infor
- Ability to travel as needed
What We Do
Forget what you think you know about professional services. We go beyond what’s expected and help others do the same. Grant Thornton is the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, one of the world’s leading independent audit, tax and advisory firms. That means our network has more than 60,000 professionals in more than 135 countries who are ready to help public and private organizations of all sizes take on today’s challenges. But what sets us apart isn’t just what we do – it’s how we do it. Here, we believe in making business more personal and building trust into every result. We’re collaborators – obsessed with quality and ready for anything – who understand the value of strong relationships. It’s how we challenge the expectations of business and empower our people and clients to do it, too. One thing we won’t do? Grant Thornton LLP will never request money or any form of payment for services via social media. Please report any concerns at 1-800-810-3503. "Grant Thornton” refers to Grant Thornton LLP, the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL). GTIL and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. Services are delivered by the member firms. GTIL and its member firms are not agents of, and do not obligate, one another and are not liable for one another’s acts or omissions. Please see grantthornton.com for further details.
