Senior Director of Wellbeing and Benefits

Company Profile:

At CAVA we make it deliciously simple to eat well and feel good every day. We are guided by a Mediterranean heritage that’s been perfecting how to eat and live for four thousand years. We prioritize authenticity, curiosity and the pursuit of excellence in everything we do. We are working towards something big, together.

We foster a culture built on five core values:

Generosity First, Always: We lead with kindness. Our best work happens when we act in service of others.

Constant Curiosity: We are eager to learn, grow, and explore beyond the obvious.

Act with Agility: We welcome change; it’s the only constant. We embrace, adjust, adapt.

Passion for Positivity: We greet each day with warmth and possibility.

Collective Ambition: We have high aspirations that are achieved when we work together with a shared purpose.

Senior Director of Wellbeing and Benefits:

The Senior Director of Wellbeing and Benefits is responsible for leading the design, implementation, and management of comprehensive wellbeing and benefits programs that support the health, and wellness of employees. This senior leadership position plays a crucial role in fostering a positive organizational culture, ensuring the organization’s benefits offerings are competitive, innovative, and aligned with both employee needs and business objectives. This role reports to the Chief People Officer and leads the Wellbeing and Benefits Team Members.

What You’ll Do:

Leadership & Strategy:

• Lead the overall wellbeing and benefits strategy to ensure it aligns with the organization’s goals and objectives.
• Develop and execute strategic plans for employee health and wellness programs, ensuring they are innovative, impactful, and cost-effective.
• Act as a senior advisor to executive leadership on issues related to employee wellbeing, mental health, benefits offerings, and overall employee experience.
• Drive initiatives that create a positive organizational culture, promote employee engagement, and enhance retention.

Program Development & Management:

• Oversee the design and implementation of wellbeing programs, including physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.
• Manage and evaluate the effectiveness of employee benefits programs such as health insurance, retirement plans, wellness programs, employee assistance programs (EAP), and other health and wellness initiatives.
• Ensure benefits offerings are competitive and meet the diverse needs of the employee population.
• Regularly assess the utilization, satisfaction, and impact of wellbeing programs, adjusting as needed to ensure continuous improvement.

Financial Oversight:

• Manage the wellbeing and benefits budget, ensuring programs are delivered within financial constraints while maintaining quality and effectiveness.
• Lead cost-benefit analyses for wellbeing initiatives and benefits offerings, aiming to provide maximum value for both employees and the organization.

Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Collaborate with People and Culture, finance, legal, and other departments to ensure wellbeing and benefits programs are aligned with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with external vendors and insurance providers to negotiate and manage contracts and service delivery for employee benefits.
• Lead communication strategies for wellbeing and benefits programs, ensuring clear, accessible, and effective communication to employees at all levels.

Employee Engagement & Communication:

• Ensure that all employees have access to relevant information about available wellbeing and benefits programs, including benefits orientation and ongoing communication.
• Develop and implement employee education campaigns around mental health, physical wellness, and financial wellbeing.
• Create a supportive environment where employees feel empowered to take advantage of wellbeing resources and benefits offerings.

Compliance & Risk Management:

• Stay up-to-date with industry best practices, regulatory changes, and trends related to employee wellbeing and benefits.
• Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations governing employee benefits, including the Affordable Care Act (ACA), ERISA, and HIPAA, among others.
• Manage risk by identifying potential liabilities in wellbeing and benefits programs and recommending mitigation strategies.

Data-Driven Insights:

• Utilize data analytics to measure the effectiveness of wellbeing and benefits programs and generate actionable insights.
• Lead the development and implementation of metrics and KPIs to evaluate the success and impact of wellbeing initiatives.

The Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, Health Administration, or related field. A Master's degree or relevant certifications (e.g., Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), Wellbeing Leadership Certificate) is a plus.

Experience:

• 10 years of experience in employee benefits, wellness, or human resources, with at least 5 years in a leadership or senior management role.
• Proven experience in designing and implementing comprehensive wellbeing programs and benefits plans.
• Strong knowledge of current trends and practices in employee wellbeing and benefits, including healthcare, mental health support, and financial wellness.

Skills:

• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Expertise in benefits administration, health and wellness program design, and financial management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of relevant laws and regulations affecting employee benefits.
• Experience with vendor negotiations and managing vendor relationships.

Personal Attributes:

• Strategic thinker with the ability to execute on complex initiatives.
• Passionate about employee wellbeing and improving the overall employee experience.
• Highly collaborative and able to build relationships with key stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Adaptable and results-oriented with a track record of delivering successful wellbeing programs.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to maintain stationary position to be able to operate a computer and other office equipment
• Must be able to identify, analyze and assess details
• For certain positions, must be able to occasionally move or transport items up to 50 pounds
• Ability to communicate with others and exchange information accurately and effectively
• Constantly positions self and move about to support ordinary restaurant or food production support or office operations, as applicable
• Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner

What we offer:

• Competitive salary, plus bonus and long-term incentives*
• Early Wage Access!
• Unlimited PTO, paid parental leave, plus paid opportunities to give back to the community
• Health, Dental, Vision, Telemedicine, Pet Insurance plus more!
• 401k enrollment with CAVA contribution
• Company-paid STD, LTD, Life and AD&D coverage for salaried positions*
• Free CAVA food
• Casual work environment
• The opportunity to be on the ground floor of a rapidly growing brand
• All exempt and non exempt employees are eligible for benefits. Benefits are effective the 1st of the month following 30 days of service and you have until the day before the effective date to enroll. A new hire can enroll in our benefit program by selecting a link that is emailed directly to the new hire at their personal email address once hired.
• The compensation range posted includes total cash.

*Indicates qualifying eligible positions only

CAVA – Joining “A culture, not a concept”

This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all the duties and responsibilities of the position and such duties and responsibilities may change without notice. As an equal opportunity employer, CAVA considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, height, weight, marital status, sexual orientation, familial status, genetic information or any other characteristic or protected classes as defined by federal, state, or local law.