About the RoleThe Manager, Talent Acquisition serves as a strategic Talent Advisor and team leader within Sweetgreen's People Experience function. This role is responsible for driving field leadership recruiting across multiple regions, building and scaling talent systems, and developing a high-performing TA team. The Manager, Talent Acquisition acts as a critical thought partner to field operators; connecting talent intelligence to broader organizational strategy, succession planning, and internal mobility.
Key ResponsibilitiesRecruiting Excellence & Execution- Own full-cycle recruitment for field leadership roles (Head Coach, Assistant Coach, Area Leader) across assigned regions, managing a portfolio of ~30+ active openings at a time
- Partner closely with Regional General Managers, Area Leaders, and People Business Partners to identify talent needs, align on candidate profiles, and move with urgency on P0/P1 priorities
- Lead confidential and executive-level searches with discretion, creativity, and professionalism
- Manage sourcing strategy across tools, including Greenhouse, LinkedIn, Indeed, Fountain, Recruitics, and BrightHire
- Maintain data integrity in ChartHop and Greenhouse; ensure accurate pipeline tracking and timely role management
- Own and manage regional recruiting budgets, maintaining accountability for spend across tools and sourcing channels
Talent Planning & Internal Mobility- Facilitate monthly Talent Slating calls with Area Leaders across assigned regions, driving accountability for successor identification, readiness assessment, and internal promotion pipelines
- Leverage ChartHop data sheets, assessments (S2, performance/potential ratings), and relocation interest to build an objective, data-driven view of talent readiness across the fleet
- Partner with L&D and People Business Partners to ensure internal successors receive development support aligned to their readiness timeline
- Drive toward a 70%+ internal fill rate for Head Coach and Assistant Coach roles through proactive talent pipeline development
New Restaurant Openings (NRO/NMO)- Manage full-cycle hiring for new restaurant openings including market research, candidate sourcing, comp analysis, and stakeholder coordination
- Utilize market intelligence (deep research AI tools) to prepare hiring playbooks tailored to local labor market dynamics
- Train and support team members on NRO and hourly hiring processes (ServiceNow, Fountain)
Team Leadership & Development- Directly manage 2-3 Talent Advisors, providing regular coaching, development planning, and performance feedback
- Build and maintain a comprehensive Talent Advisor Guide and supporting SOPs to enable team consistency and scalability
- Design and facilitate team learning, calibration sessions, and process improvement initiatives
- Onboard new team members with structured training plans covering field leadership recruiting, hourly hiring, and key systems
Strategic Projects & Influence- Partner with the Sr. Director, People Experience on workforce forecasting, team structure, and TA capacity planning
- Build and present data-driven analyses on open role trends, internal promotion rates, and pipeline health to inform strategic decisions
- Develop and iterate on tools and resources for field operators (e.g., hiring guides, interview prep materials, AL prep guides for Talent Slating)
- Champion the adoption and continuous improvement of recruiting technology and AI tools (BrightHire, ChartHop, Gen AI research tools)
What We're Looking For- 7+ years of full-cycle recruiting experience, ideally in a high-volume, multi-unit environment
- Experience managing or mentoring junior recruiting team members
- Strong consultative partnership skills - able to build trust and drive accountability with field operators and senior leaders
- Data fluency: comfortable using ATS and HRIS platforms (Greenhouse, ChartHop) to track and analyze pipeline data
- Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities across regions simultaneously
- Strategic thinker who can zoom out from day-to-day execution to identify systemic solutions and long-term improvements
- Comfort operating in ambiguous, fast-paced environments with a "progress over perfection" mindset
- Alignment with Sweetgreen's core values: Win-Win-Win, Act Like an Owner, Grow Together, Build for Tomorrow, Add the Sweet Touch
Why This Role Is SpecialThis role sits at the intersection of talent acquisition, talent planning, and people strategy - giving the right person a rare opportunity to directly shape the leadership pipeline of one of the most mission-driven restaurant brands in the country. You'll have autonomy to build systems, influence strategy, and develop a team, all while staying closely connected to the humans and communities that make Sweetgreen's restaurants thrive.
What you'll get:- Highly competitive pay + bonus plan
- Three different medical plans to suit your and your family's needs
- Dental and Vision insurance
- Flexible PTO plan
- 401k program
- Employee HSA and FSA
- Complimentary greens
- An opportunity to make a real impact on the people around you, both by growing them and by connecting them to real food
- To live the sweetlife and celebrate your passion + purpose
- A collaborative team of people who live our core values and have your back
- A clear career path with opportunities for development, both personally and professionally
- Free sweetgreen swag
Come join the sweetlife!Salary range for this role:
Starting salary range based on experience
$130,000-$150,000 USD
