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Director, Workplace Experience

Panera Bread

  • 3 days ago

    Highlights

    The Director serves as a key partner to Human Resources, Facilities, IT, Security, and business leaders to deliver a safe, efficient, engaging, and inclusive workplace experience that attracts, retains, and inspires talent. This role provides strategic leadership for both workplace operations and employee experience initiatives, ensuring that office facilities, amenities, culture, engagement programs, and workplace services align with organizational goals and values.

    Numbers & Facts

    Location
    IndustryFood and Beverage Production
    Company Size10,000 employees or more
    Year Founded1981
    Websitehttps://jobs.panerabread.com/

    Description

    Director, Workplace Experience

    Position Summary

    The Director, Workplace Experience is responsible for creating and maintaining a workplace environment that enables employees to thrive, collaborate, and perform at their best. This role provides strategic leadership for both workplace operations and employee experience initiatives, ensuring that office facilities, amenities, culture, engagement programs, and workplace services align with organizational goals and values.

    The Director serves as a key partner to Human Resources, Facilities, IT, Security, and business leaders to deliver a safe, efficient, engaging, and inclusive workplace experience that attracts, retains, and inspires talent. This position oversees facility operations, space planning, workplace programs, employee events, and culture initiatives that enhance employee connection, productivity, and well-being.

    Location: Newton, MA

    Key Responsibilities

    Workplace Strategy & Leadership

    • Develop and execute a comprehensive workplace experience strategy aligned with business objectives and company culture.
    • Lead workplace programs that foster collaboration, employee engagement, inclusion, well-being, and organizational effectiveness.
    • Establish and monitor key performance metrics related to workplace satisfaction, utilization, engagement, and operational excellence.
    • Partner with senior leaders to evaluate and evolve workplace practices that support a positive employee experience.
    • Manage departmental budgets, vendor relationships, and strategic workplace investments.

    Facilities & Workplace Operations

    • Oversee all corporate office facilities, ensuring safe, efficient, and well-maintained work environments.
    • Direct facility operations including maintenance, repairs, space planning, workplace design, environmental health and safety, and building services.
    • Lead office expansion, relocation, renovation, and workplace transformation projects.
    • Ensure compliance with applicable safety, regulatory, and building requirements.
    • Manage third-party vendors and service providers, including janitorial, catering, security, maintenance, and property management partners.
    • Optimize workplace utilization, occupancy planning, and office amenities.

    Employee Experience & Engagement

    • Design and implement workplace initiatives that strengthen employee connection, engagement, and organizational culture.
    • Lead employee events, recognition programs, celebrations, volunteer activities, and workplace campaigns.
    • Collaborate with HR to support onboarding experiences, employee listening strategies, and engagement survey action plans.
    • Develop programs that enhance employee well-being, belonging, and workplace satisfaction.
    • Create consistent and meaningful workplace experiences across all office locations.

    Culture & Community Building

    • Serve as a culture champion by promoting company values and supporting initiatives that strengthen employee engagement.
    • Partner with leadership and HR teams to drive programs that foster inclusion, collaboration, and employee connection.
    • Develop workplace communications that promote engagement, awareness, and participation in company initiatives.
    • Support employee resource groups, culture committees, and community involvement efforts.
    • Identify innovative workplace trends and practices that improve the employee experience.

    Vendor & Budget Management

    • Develop and manage annual operating and capital budgets for workplace operations and engagement programs.
    • Negotiate contracts and manage performance of workplace vendors and service providers.
    • Analyze workplace data, utilization metrics, and employee feedback to drive continuous improvement and cost-effective solutions.

    Qualifications

    Education

    • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Facilities Management, Hospitality, Organizational Development, or a related field.
    • Master's degree preferred.

    Experience

    • 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in workplace experience, facilities management, employee engagement, corporate services, hospitality, or related functions.
    • Experience leading both operational and employee-focused workplace programs.
    • Demonstrated experience managing budgets, vendors, and workplace projects.
    • Proven ability to influence senior leaders and drive cross-functional initiatives.

    Knowledge, Skills & Competencies

    • Strategic workplace planning
    • Facilities and office operations management
    • Employee engagement and culture development
    • Change management and organizational effectiveness
    • Program and project management
    • Budgeting and financial management
    • Vendor negotiation and contract management
    • Space planning and workplace design
    • Employee communications and event management
    • Data analysis and KPI tracking
    • Strong leadership, collaboration, and relationship-building skills
    • Excellent communication and presentation abilities

    Equal Opportunity Employer: Disabled/Veterans
    Competitive Pay $155,476 - $186,572 annually

    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

    About Company

    We are Panera. We are bakers of bread. We are fresh from the oven.

    We are a symbol of warmth and welcome. We are a simple pleasure, honest and genuine. We are a life story told over dinner. We are a long lunch with an old friend. We are your weekday morning ritual. We are the kindest gesture of neighbors. We are home. We are family. We are friends.

    In this section, you can:
    • Learn more about our company, including its history and leadership, in the Company Overview section.
    • Review financial news, reports, stock information and other investor resources in the Investor Relations section.
    • Browse our recent press releases, news articles about Panera Bread and various media resources in the Press Room.
    • Find out about the exciting and rewarding Career Opportunities available at Panera Bread.
    • Visit the Franchise Information section to find out more about franchising opportunities with Panera, including qualification criteria and available markets.
    • See how we give back to the neighborhoods we're a part of by visiting the In the Community pages.
    • Tell us about your experience in our bakery-cafes, or just ask us a question in the section.



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