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.

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 upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

Newton Support Center