Sr Manager, Executive & Equity Compensation

Panera LLC; Newton (MA); Hybrid; USD 139,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Pay

Hybrid work model

Newton Support Center

Job summary

Panera LLC seeks a Senior Manager for Executive & Equity Compensation to oversee Panera's executive compensation and long-term incentive programs, including grants, vesting, distributions, and tax reporting. You will support the Board and senior leaders, ensuring governance, accuracy, and timely delivery of awards across the organization.

You will collaborate with HR, Finance, and Talent teams, manage complex participant scenarios, and drive process improvements to enhance efficiency and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field.
• 5+ years in compensation, equity, or related finance/HR operations.
• Experience administering long-term incentive, equity, or executive compensation programs.
• Experience with grant administration, vesting, transactions, tax reporting, governance.
• Advanced Excel skills; attention to detail; discretion; confidentiality; organization; communication.

Responsibilities

• Administer executive compensation and long-term incentive programs, including grants, vesting, payouts, and recordkeeping.
• Coordinate with the Chief People Officer and the Board on annual grant processes and documentation.
• Maintain audit-ready records of award history, participant activity, and related files.
• Lead sale windows and participant transactions, providing guidance on plan provisions and documentation.
• Prepare governance materials and assist with tax reporting and audits.
• Identify process improvements to increase accuracy, efficiency, and participant experience.

Skills

Attention to detail

Discretion

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business/Finance/Accounting/Economics or related field

Tools

Excel

Job description

Sr Manager, Executive & Equity Compensation

Job Summary

The Senior Manager, Compensation is responsible for the administration, governance, and execution of Panera's executive compensation and long-term incentive programs in support of Panera's business objectives and talent strategy. This role manages the full lifecycle of long-term incentive awards, including grants, vesting events, distributions, participant transactions, tax reporting, plan documentation, and Board support while acting as a trusted advisor to HR, Finance, Talent Acquisition, HR Technology, and business leaders.

Location

Newton, MA (3 Days in Office) to Weston, MA (4 Days in Office, 2027)

Key Responsibilities

Executive & Long-Term Incentive Administration

Administer executive compensation and long-term incentive programs, including grant issuances, vesting events, program payouts, grant forfeitures, sale transactions, and participant recordkeeping activities. Manage annual and ongoing grant processes in coordination with the Chief People Officer and the Board, ensuring participant data, award agreements, vesting schedules, approvals, communications, and supporting documentation are fully aligned upon, accurate and complete. Maintain current, audit-ready records of award history, participant activity, transaction detail, plan documentation, and supporting files.

Sale Window & Participant Support

Lead approved sale windows and participant transaction opportunities, including planning, eligibility, elections, communications, execution, and final reconciliation. Serve as a trusted resource for executives, former employees, beneficiaries, and other participants regarding plan provisions, award treatment, vesting schedules, payment timing, transactions, and required documentation. Support participants through complex employment and life events, including retirement, death, disability, leaves of absence, terminations, and other status changes.

Governance, Tax & Compliance

Maintain long-term incentive plan documents, award agreements, administrative procedures, participant materials, and governance records. Prepare Board materials related to executive compensation, long-term incentive awards, participant activity, and program administration. Coordinate tax reporting activities, including preparation and distribution of Form 1099s, and support audits, regulatory inquiries, legal requests, and finance reporting needs.

Process Excellence

Maintain controls, calendars, procedures, and reusable templates supporting accurate, consistent, and confidential program administration. Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, controls, participant experience, and administrative effectiveness.

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive compensation, executive compensation, equity compensation, stock administration, finance, HR operations, or related experience.
• Demonstrated experience administering long-term incentive, equity compensation, executive compensation, or similarly complex participant-based compensation programs.
• Strong understanding of grant administration, vesting events, participant transactions, tax reporting, plan governance, and documentation requirements.
• Advanced Excel skills, exceptional attention to detail, discretion, confidentiality, organization, follow-through, and strong communication skills.

Preferred

• Certified Equity Professional (CEP), Certified Compensation Professional (CCP), or similar certification.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Disabled/Veterans

Competitive Pay

$139,111 - $155,477 annually

The actual pay offered will be determined by multiple factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s relevant experience, job-related knowledge, skills, and geographical location. Individual compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

Newton Support Center

With more than 2,000 Panera LLC and independent franchise bakery-cafes in the Panera Bread family, and more locations opening all the time, it’s no wonder our company has been an excellent source of career and personal growth opportunities for more than 25 years. In neighborhoods across the U.S. and Canada, customers enjoy flavorful, handcrafted meals centered around freshly baked artisan bread. To us, that means serving food like we serve our own families - free of any of the items on our ‘No No’ List. Along the way, we also like to give back to our community. We enjoy working together, shoulder to shoulder with our customers, to confront a serious problem plaguing communities across this country - Hunger. Through our Panera Cares community cafes, we offer a dignified dining experience in an uplifting environment. In addition, we support our communities through day-end donations at our bakery-cafe locations and partner with local non-profit organizations. It’s this warmth that you’ll find when you join Panera Bread. From our competitive compensation and benefits packages to our unique cultural values, we’re confident you’ll find us a rewarding and fun place to work.