Operations/HR Project Manager (P1-6335969-1)

Summary of Job Description:

The Operations/HR Project Manager leads the planning and execution of HR and enterprise-wide initiatives. This role develops and manages project plans, ensuring alignment with business goals, timelines, and budgets. Using project management tools, the manager tracks progress and drives effective communication. This position collaborates with Operations, Support Center partners, and SMEs and creates impactful initiatives and implementations. The role manages cross-functional projects to elevate Operation excellence and leads a team of associates, developing and coaching them to elevate their performance.

Job Responsibilities:

• Leads the planning, execution, and delivery of key HR projects and programs that support Field Operations, Support Center, and enterprise-wide initiatives. Oversees all phases of the project lifecycle, from concept to completion, ensuring alignment with business strategies, learning objectives, and organizational values.
• Develops and executes project plans that outline scope, objectives, deliverables, timelines, resources, risks, and budgets to ensure alignment with stakeholder expectations and company goals. Continuously monitors project performance, identifies gaps or potential delays, and proactively adjusts plans to maintain momentum and deliver high-quality outcomes on time and within budget.
• Leads a team of HR Decentralized Learning program professionals, developing and coaching associates to elevate their performance. Works with leadership team on recruiting, selecting, and retaining the team staff.
• Utilizes project management tools (ex: Monday.com) to organize and manage workflows, track key milestones, document dependencies, and communicate project status updates clearly and consistently. Establishes project dashboards and reporting routines to ensure visibility and accountability across teams.
• Lead the team to support and manage Decentralized Learning team training programs. Serves as a strategic partner with the Decentralized Implementation. Collaborates with senior leaders, stakeholders, and subject matter experts to diagnose performance challenges, align on business needs, and co-design and implement solutions that build capability and drive measurable results. Facilitates cross-functional collaboration and promotes strong working relationships between DLD and other departments.
• Champions a culture of continuous improvement within the DLD team by establishing processes and routines for post-project evaluations, lessons learned, and knowledge sharing. Promotes the use of DLD best practices, project management standards, and data-driven decision making to enhance effectiveness and efficiency across all initiatives.
• Prepares and delivers executive-level briefings, project updates, business reviews, status summaries, and leadership presentations that clearly communicate progress, risks, decisions, and impact.

Work Environment:

• Office conditions; travel to store and/or Support Center environment: 25%

How we reward you:

• Hybrid Work schedule
• 401K with company match
• Yearly bonus opportunity*
• Full medical, dental, and vision insurance *
• On-site fitness center, biometric screen, and flu shot clinic
• Discounts at Panda restaurants, theme parks, and gym memberships
• Paid time off starting at 15 days with 7 federal holidays*
• Continuous education assistance and scholarships*
• Income protection including Disability, Life and AD&D insurance*
• Bereavement leave*
• Benefits available for eligible permanent full time associates

Your background & experience:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred
• Minimum five years of training, HR or restaurant operation experience with increasing project management responsibility, preferably in a retail/hospitality environment
• Successful completion of initial and periodically required trainings.
• Obtaining a valid Food Handler's Card within 30 days of employment is a requirement of this position.

Pay Range: M2: $112,500 - $158,000 / Annual

• Within the range, individual pay is determined using various factors, including work location and experience.

#LI-Hybrid

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Panda Strong since 1983:

Founded in Glendale, California, we are now the largest family-owned American Chinese Restaurant concept in America. With close to 2,800 locations globally, we continue our mission of delivering exceptional Asian dining experiences by building an organization where people are inspired to better their lives. Whether it's impacting our team or the communities we work in, we're proud to be an organization that embraces family values.

You're wanted here:

Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal opportunity, and does not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by law, including but not limited to sex/gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related conditions), gender expression, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, and veteran status. Additionally, Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. complies with all federal, state, and local laws regarding requests for workplace accommodation. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability. Applicants are entitled to reasonable accommodations, absent undue hardship, to effectively participate in the application and hiring process, for example, sign language interpreters. If you believe you require an accommodation for the application or interview process or for the position for which you are applying, please reach out to TASupport@PandaRG.com.