Manager, Total Rewards

Bagel Brands•Denver, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Manager, Total Rewards plays a vital role in helping Bagel Brands own the morning — not just for our guests, but for the team members who make it happen every day. This role is a leader in the design, administration, and continuous improvement of total rewards programs that attract, retain, and motivate the talented people behind our mission. Anchored in Bagel Brands' values, this leader brings both strategic thinking and hands-on execution to compensation, benefits, and retirement programs. By ensuring our total rewards are competitive, equitable, and clearly communicated, this role directly enables a culture where every team member feels seen, valued, and set up to thrive.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field required.
5–7+ years of progressive experience in total rewards management, with a focus on compensation and benefits.
2+ years of leadership or team management experience, preferably in a compensation, benefits, or people services environment.
Experience in restaurant, retail, hospitality, or other fast-paced, multi-site environments strongly preferred.
Knowledge of compensation practices, including job evaluation, salary structures, and incentive plan design.
Strong command of benefits administration, including health and welfare plans, retirement programs, and wellness initiatives.
Familiarity with executive compensation principles and governance practices.
Deep knowledge of compensation and benefits laws, statutes, and regulations required to maintain compliance across all HR-related disciplines, including payroll and time off.
Experience planning for and implementing compliance changes across a multi-site, multi-state organization in a proactive and timely manner.
Proficiency with Workday (compensation and benefits modules); intermediate-level skills with Microsoft Office products.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, draw insights, and make actionable recommendations.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to effectively summarize and present complex data and influence stakeholders at all levels.
Demonstrated project management skills; ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
Highly detail-oriented and results-driven with proven critical thinking skills.
Ability to multi-task with strong time management skills; able to prioritize work for the team and pivot as needed.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
Goal-driven, responsive to deadlines, and a collaborative team player.
Ability to assess and mitigate potential compliance risks and people services issues.
Commitment to continuous learning to remain current on changes in laws, regulations, and best practices.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage the planning, day-to-day administration, and ongoing evaluation of our total rewards function, including oversight of related vendors, consultants, and service providers.
Lead annual total rewards processes — including open enrollment and all components of the annual compensation cycle — with consistency, clarity, and a great employee experience.
Assist in the design, analysis, and administration of competitive and equitable compensation programs, including base pay, incentives, and time off.
Perform benchmarking and market analysis of roles; audit pay practices to ensure alignment with internal protocols and all applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Maintain compliance with company, federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations; periodically review policies and practices to ensure continued compliance.
Develop and deliver communication and education initiatives that help employees understand and genuinely appreciate the full value of their total rewards package.
Contribute to a differentiated employee experience strategy that touches every point of the employee lifecycle, in collaboration with the full People function and organizational leadership.
Partner across functional areas to drive total rewards principles and programs forward in alignment with organizational goals.
Utilize data analytics and benchmarking to assess the effectiveness of total rewards programs, identify opportunities for improvement, and make data-driven recommendations.
Analyze internal operations and identify areas for process improvement, acting with the urgency and resourcefulness that defines our Take Ownership value.
Partner with Total Rewards, People Services, and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure compensation decisions reflect internal equity, market alignment, and thoughtful application of benchmarking insights.
Lead, develop, and mentor a team across benefits, retirement, and compensation functions — fostering a culture of accountability, growth, and collaboration.
Coach and hold team members accountable for job performance while providing both positive and constructive feedback on a regular basis.
Lead team education on compliance-related policies and procedures to ensure understanding and adherence across the function.