Senior Manager, Benefits

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