Job Description
Grant Thornton is seeking a Business Continuity Manager to join the team. Approved office locations can be found below.
The Business Continuity Manager is responsible for leading and maturing the organization's existing enterprise-wide Business Continuity Management program across a dynamic, multi-national platform. This role focuses on strengthening foundational capabilities, integrating continuity practices across newly acquired firms, and establishing a sustainable, value-driven continuity capability aligned with strategic and operational priorities.
The successful candidate will partner with cross-functional teams such as Information Security, Information Technology, and Administrative Services to ensure that business continuity planning is business-driven, practical, and aligned with the organization's strategic objectives. This individual will drive efforts to harmonize continuity processes and frameworks across multiple regions and business units while embedding a culture of resilience throughout the organization.
Summary of responsibilities:
+ Under the direction of the Associate Director of ERM (Enterprise Risk Management), drive the continued development of the business continuity program across a multi-national platform, ensuring consistency and scalability.
+ Facilitate the Business Impact Analyses (BIAs) across functional and regional teams to identify critical business processes, recovery priorities, dependencies, and acceptable downtime thresholds. Ensure results are used to inform planning and risk-based decision-making.
+ Drive the continued development of manual workaround procedures for the firm's most critical business processes, ensuring that documented alternatives are in place to maintain operations during system outages or other disruptions.
+ Guide functions in the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) that are practical, actionable, and aligned with organizational priorities. Ensure plans reflect current operational structures, incorporate interdependencies, and are fit for use during disruptions.
+ Oversee the integration of new firms into the business continuity framework, aligning plans and processes with the multi-national platform.
+ Design and manage exercises, simulations, and scenario-based workshops to test and improve readiness across geographies and business lines.
+ Maintain continuity frameworks that scale effectively with organizational growth.
+ Drive engagement and awareness initiatives to cultivate a culture of preparedness across all regions and organizational levels.
+ Monitor industry trends, best practices, and regulatory requirements to ensure global program alignment and compliance.
+ Other duties as assigned.
Technical skills and qualifications:
Required:
+ Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Risk Management, Operations, or a related field.
+ 5+ years of direct experience in business continuity or operational resilience, preferably within a multi-national organization.
+ Proven track record of leading and advancing a business continuity program with demonstrated success in driving engagement, program maturity, and organizational resilience.
+ Strong understanding of global business continuity standards, including ISO 22301 and BCI Good Practice Guidelines.
+ Experience developing scalable continuity strategies, governance frameworks, and templates for diverse operational environments.
+ Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence senior leadership and collaborate across global teams.
+ Proficiency in Business Impact Analyses (BIA), program performance metrics, and continuity planning tools.
Preferred:
+ Professional certification such as:
+ Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP)
+ Member of the Business Continuity Institute (MBCI)
+ ISO 22301 Lead Implementer or Auditor
+ Experience in the professional services industry and/or global industries such as financial services, technology, or manufacturing with complex, multi-country operations.
The base salary range for this position in the firm's Chicago, IL office only is between $120,000 and $180,000 per year.
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