Senior Manager, Benefits

Shake Shack Enterprises, LLC; New York (NY); On-site; USD 142,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly Pay bonuses

Meal discounts

401k with company match

Paid time off

Paid parental leave

Medical, dental, vision insurance

EAP on Day 1

Pre‑Tax commuter benefits

Flexible spending accounts

Development and growth opportunities

Job summary

Shake Shack is seeking a Senior Manager, Benefits to lead the design, implementation, engagement and administration of comprehensive Team Member benefits across Support Center and Shacks.

You will educate leaders, improve adoption, manage budgets, and drive ROI with a data‑driven approach while partnering across HR, IT and Payroll to ensure focusing on employee well‑being and value creation.

Qualifications

• Strong communicator who can translate complex benefit concepts into clear guidance for leaders and Team Members.
• Budget management and third‑party vendor relations experience.
• Project management skills with multiple initiatives and deadlines.
• Knowledge of Workday is desired.
• Leave and disability management is desired.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage implementation, communication and administration of Team Member benefits and well‑being programs (medical, dental, vision, life, disability, absence, retirement, COBRA, FSA).
• Collaborate with leadership on health and welfare strategy; assess benefits for competition, trends and cost effectiveness.
• Ensure leave and disability programs align with benefits strategy and member experience; coordinate communications and transitions for leaves.
• Lead benefit education strategy for field and Support Center leaders including training sessions and roadshows.
• Develop benefit literacy initiatives to increase understanding and participation.
• Partner with Operations to translate benefits into clear value for Shack leaders.
• Use analytics to measure engagement, participation, and ROI.
• Lead open enrollment process and annual health plan renewals; manage project plan, testing and rate updates.
• Oversee audits and Workday-related processes, ensuring policy compliance and error correction.
• Lead a team and manage relationships with 10 external vendors and brokers for programs including 401(k) and ACA.

Skills

Strong communicator

Educator

Budget management

Project management

Advanced Excel

Tools

Workday

Job description

Our secret to leading the way in hospitality? We put our people first! At Shake Shack, our mission is to Stand For Something Good in all that we do. From our teams to our neighborhoods, we're committed to always doing the right thing. As one of the fastest-growing hospitality brands, we're all about crafting unforgettable experiences for our guests. We offer endless learning opportunities and the chance to make a lasting impact on our business, restaurants, and communities. As a member of the #ShackFam, you’ll have access to hands‑on mentorship, training, and growth potential, all in a fun and inclusive environment. Join us and be a part of something good.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Vice President, Total Rewards & HR Technology, the Senior Manager, Benefits performs a lead role in the design, implementation, engagement and administration of Shake Shack’s benefits and strategic initiatives supporting health, absence, wellness, and retirement programs. This leader ensures programs are competitive and compliant while driving understanding, adoption, and impact across both the Support Center and Shacks. This role requires a balance of operational discipline and strong business partnership, with a focus on educating leaders, increasing engagement, and elevating the overall Team Member benefits experience.

Job Responsibilities and Duties

Plan and manage the implementation, communication and administration of Team Member benefits and well‑being programs such as medical, dental, vision, life, disability, absence, retirement, COBRA, FSA, and any other Team Member benefit offerings.

Collaborates with leadership on health and welfare strategy and other offerings evaluating existing and potential benefits programs to determine competitiveness, trends, and ensures programs meets Team Members’ needs and are cost effective.

Ensures leave and disability programs are aligned with overall benefits strategy and team member experience; partner closely with stakeholders to ensure seamless communication and transitions for Team Members in the leave and accommodation journey.

Leads benefit education strategy for field and Support Center leaders, including training sessions, roadshows, and manager toolkits.

Develops benefit literacy initiatives to increase program understanding and participation.

Partners with Operations leadership to translate benefits into clear, practical value for Shack leaders.

Uses analytics to measure engagement, participation, and ROI.

Leads the open enrollment process and annual heath plan renewals and implementations for forthcoming plan year; including the project plan, testing of the open enrollment system, and rate updates

Manages and creates audit processes and procedures to ensure annual reviews and Workday business processes, integrations and technical support is functioning properly and according to policies, identifying and correcting errors as required.

Oversees and leads a team and relationships with 10 external vendors and benefits broker to provide technical support in the delivery of programs including 401(k) and ACA Works collaboratively with other functional areas including HR, HR Systems, Information Technology and Payroll especially with the support of audit and testing Workday enhancements and break/fixes.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Strong communicator and educator who can translate complex benefit concepts into clear, practical guidance for leaders and Team Members, driving understanding, adoption, and accountability.

Manage program budgets and third‑party consultant/ broker/ vendor relationship.

Project management with ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously, prioritize workloads, meet deadlines, and drive projects to successful implementation.

Knowledge of Workday is desired.

Leave and disability management is desired.

Advanced Excel skill.

Benefits at Shake Shack:

• A work environment where you can come as you are, share your ideas, have fun, and work collaboratively.
• Weekly Pay and Performance bonuses
• Shake Shack Meal Discounts
• Exclusive corporate discounts for travel, electronics, wellness, leisure activities and more
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance*
• Employer Paid Life and Disability Insurance*
• 401k Plan with Company Match*
• Paid Time Off*
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Access to Employee Assistance Program on Day 1
• Pre‑Tax Commuter and Parking Benefits
• Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts*
• Development and Growth Opportunities

Pay Range - $142,100.00 - $190,350.00

About Us

Beginning as a hot dog cart in New York City’s Madison Square Park, Shake Shack was created by Danny Meyer, Founder and CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group and best‑selling author of Setting the Table. Shack Fans lined up daily, making the cart a resounding success, and donating all proceeds back to the park beautification efforts. A permanent stand was eventually built…and the rest is Shack history! With our roots in fine dining and giving back to the community, we are committed to high quality food served with a high level of hospitality. Our team members enjoy a positive work environment that is deeply committed to the philosophy that we “Stand for Something Good.” Shake Shack is an Equal Opportunity Employer All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic, including race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability (mental and physical), sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, gender expression, medical condition, genetic information, marital, military and veteran status.

We will provide you with the tools, resources, and learning opportunities you need to succeed and grow.

Our secret to leading the way in hospitality? We put our people first! At Shake Shack, our mission is to Stand For Something Good in all that we do. You’ll learn lifelong skills and be empowered to make a positive impact—on our business, restaurants, and communities—all at one of the fastest-growing hospitality brands in the world. From our teams to our neighborhoods, we’re committed to always doing the right thing. Our teams are the core of what we do and what we stand for—supporting them is part of our DNA. We’ll provide you with learning and growth opportunities to set you up for success in your career. Sharing ideas, having fun, and working collaboratively isn’t just preached, it’s how we do things every day. Behind every elevated experience is our Team Members and culture of Enlightened Hospitality! We strive to foster a culture that is welcoming, inclusive and allows our Team Members to grow. See why it’s worth it to work at Shake Shack. We are committed to developing future leaders here at Shake Shack. We provide our team members with the tools, resources, and learning opportunities they need to succeed and to grow. Watch this video to explore the possibilities for your career at Shake Shack. At Shake Shack not only do we Stand for Something Good, but we want YOU to! We are proud to have received recognition for our Inclusive Policies & Practices four years in a row and counting! With numerous employee‑led resource groups, mentorship pairings, and career‑growth opportunities to fit your aspirations, we are confident you’ll find your place here to thrive as your authentic self.