The Sr. Manager, Social Impact supports all aspects of Panera LLC’s impact agenda and manages key programs to strengthen our business and create positive impact in our communities.

With a primary focus on our community and philanthropic programming, the Senior Manager will direct our Day-End Dough-Nation® program, play a significant role in operating the Panera Bread Foundation, and oversee community giving programs.  Additionally, they will support annual data collection, analysis, and assurance processes for external reporting on all areas of sustainability and social impact.

The ideal candidate is experienced in high volume, high impact non-profit or corporate philanthropic work and understands the operational complexity of restaurants.  They are analytical with excellent attention to detail. They are interested in all aspects of the impact agenda and eager to flex and learn as program needs evolve. They are a strong communicator, able to move between internal and external audiences at all levels.

Duties & Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of this job include, but are not limited to:

• Develop and refine consistent social impact strategies across programs, engaging internal teams and external partners to ensure positive impact.
• Work across the organization and with franchise partners to ensure strategic alignment with leadership and adherence to program guidelines and operational excellence with team members.
• Proactively pursue opportunities for enhanced capabilities, tools, tracking, measurement and reporting, increased engagement, and communications.
• Manage the Panera Bread Foundation grant and fundraising programs, governance processes, and communications.
• Manage the Day-End Dough-Nation program including accountability for annual tax record process, external partnerships, and management of one direct report.
• Serve as point for corporate crisis/disaster relief donations and communications.
• Monitor social impact best practices and trends to provide insights and benchmarking about community investment opportunities and to identify new opportunities.
• Lead data collection, quality, management, and where applicable oversee third party assurance across impact areas.
• Manage preparation of voluntary and compliance annual Responsibility & Impact reporting and disclosures.

Qualifications (Education & Experience)

Qualifications include:

• Education – BA required, master’s degree preferred, non-profit, social impact or sustainability focus.
• Specialized knowledge- Grant management.
• 5-7 years in non-profit or philanthropic program management including managing large volumes of partners (3000+), previous restaurant industry experience preferred, business experience preferred.  
• Familiarity with sustainability frameworks and issues such as food waste, greenhouse gas accounting, packaging, and animal welfare issues strongly preferred.
• Track record of collaboration and positive, productive relationships with multiple internal and external partners.
• Experience in Excel, Salesforce, and similar database technologies.
• Self-starter who can work independently and collaborate with multiple stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker with sound judgment and problem-solving skills.
• Works with urgency to meet goals and proactively problem-solve.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of information. Excels at data analysis with high attention to detail.
• Self-motivated to achieve goals and meet deadlines, with ability to prioritize and manage workload in a dynamic environment.
• Passionately committed to customer service and serving our communities.
• Knowledge of social impact trends and charitable landscape, particularly in the areas of youth leadership, entrepreneurship, hunger/food insecurity.

Working Conditions

• Location – Newton, MA - 3 days in office per week
• Required travel – up to 2-3 times year

Physical Requirements

• While performing this job, the incumbent is regularly required to stand, sit, talk hear & use hands and fingers to operate keyboards

Direct Reports

• This position will have approximately 1-2 direct reports.