Strategy Manager Jobs in Aurora, IL (NOW HIRING)

Grant Thornton is seeking a Brand Strategy Manager to join the team. Approved office locations can be found below.
The opportunity
Grant Thornton Advisors is expanding across more than 20 markets, with new firms continuing to join the group. This creates significant brand strategy work: developing propositions, shaping brand architecture, naming new offers and determining how acquired firms transition.
As Brand Strategy Manager, you will shape the group's positioning and narrative and lead the development of propositions and messaging for priority campaigns, services and solutions. You will prepare brand architecture, naming and acquired-brand recommendations and develop the employee value proposition. The role reports to the Director, Brand Strategy.
What you will do
Brand story and positioning

• Develop and evolve the group's positioning, narrative, messaging architecture and tone of voice principles for use across markets

• Connect audience, client need, value and proof in every framework, so each claim we make is clear, credible and consistent

Propositions and messaging

• Build the proposition and messaging frameworks behind our campaigns, services and solutions, working with activation, creative, content and service line teams

• Design and lead brand workshops with leadership teams, markets and service lines to shape propositions, test the thinking and build agreement on the direction

• Turn approved strategy into clear creative briefs and keep the agreed direction intact through development

Brand architecture and naming

• Shape the group's brand architecture as we grow, developing options and naming recommendations for acquisitions, products, platforms, services and solutions

• Prepare decision papers for senior leaders, setting out each option with its commercial, legal and market implications

• Partner with Legal throughout, so trademark and regulatory advice shapes each recommendation from the start

M&A brand strategy

• Assess the brand equity of firms joining the group and recommend how each brand transitions, from the end state through to the approach and timing

• Develop the positioning and core messages for acquisition announcements, connecting each new firm clearly to the wider group

Employer brand

• Define and evolve the employee value proposition with People and Culture, from the promise we make to talent through to the proof points and core messages behind it

• Brief the teams responsible for employer brand activity, ensuring the core proposition and messaging are applied consistently

Insight and evidence

• Define the questions our brand tracking and testing programs need to answer, from awareness and consideration through to message performance

• Interpret the findings and recommend changes to positioning and messaging over time

Other duties as assigned
What you will bring

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, business or a related field, or equivalent experience

• Around 7 years in brand strategy, gained in-house, in an agency or in a consultancy

• Experience working across markets or in a complex organization; professional services experience is useful but not required

• A proven record building propositions and messaging architectures

• Strong writing and editorial judgment, able to make complex services clear, credible and distinctive

• Experience in brand architecture, naming and acquired-brand strategy

• Employer brand experience and confidence working with senior People and Culture stakeholders

• Skilled facilitation: able to design and lead workshops with senior stakeholders across markets and cultures

• Research literacy: able to frame testing questions and turn findings into recommendations

• The ability to build an evidence-based case, present a clear recommendation to senior leaders and gain their support

The base salary range for this position is between $104,000 and $156,000. 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.
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 the way that it best serves your clients and your life. Consistent with the firm's hybrid work model, this position will require in-person attendance at least three 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 HRHelp@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.
For Massachusetts Applicants only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Grant Thornton does not require or administer lie detector tests as a condition of employment or continued employment.