Sr. Payroll Manager

CAVA•District of Columbia, DC

About The Position

At CAVA, we make it deliciously simple to eat well and feel good every day. We are guided by a Mediterranean heritage that’s been perfecting how to eat and live for four thousand years. We prioritize authenticity, curiosity and the pursuit of excellence in everything we do. We are working towards something big , together. We foster a culture built on five core values: · Generosity First, Always: We lead with kindness. Our best work happens when we act inof others. · Constant Curiosity: We are eager to learn, grow, and explore beyond the obvious. · Act with Agility: We welcome change; it’s the only constant. We embrace, adjust, adapt. · Passion for Positivity: We greet each day with warmth and possibility. · Collective Ambition: We have high aspirations that are achieved when we work together with a shared purpose. Senior Manager of Payroll The Senior Manager of Payroll is responsible for leading and overseeing CAVA’s payroll operations to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant pay for all team members. This role provides strategic and operational oversight of payroll processes, systems, internal controls, and external third-party payroll processors , in alignment with SOX, public company, and regulatory requirements . The Senior Manager will partner cross-functionally with Operations, Accounting, Information Technology, and external vendors to enhance payroll processes, ensure regulatory compliance, and support a seamless team member pay experience at scale. Success at CAVA : At CAVA, Senior Managers lead larger or more complex teams and contribute to operational and strategic outcomes. We look for leaders who elevate team performance, coach across complex environments, and partner across departments to lead through change and drive meaningful outcomes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
8–10+ years of progressive payroll experience, including people leadership and vendor management in a public company or SOX-regulated environment
Demonstrated experience managing outsourced or co-sourced payroll models
Strong understanding of SOX, internal controls, audit processes, and financial close requirements
Deep knowledge of payroll regulations, tax compliance, and labor laws
Experience with multi-state payroll operations, preferably in the restaurant industry
Experience with leading payroll platforms and service providers (UKG required)
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills
Ability to maintain stationary position to be able to operate a computer and other office equipment
Must be able to identify, analyze and assess details
For certain positions, must be able to occasionally move or transport items up to 50 pounds
Ability to communicate with others and exchange information accurately and effectively
Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner

Nice To Haves

CPP or other payroll-related certification preferred

Responsibilities

Lead and oversee all payroll operations, including regular biweekly, weekly, and off-cycle payroll processing, across multiple states for 13,000+ employees
Oversee and manage the relationship with external third-party payroll processor, ensuring service-level agreements (SLAs), accuracy, timeliness, and compliance standards are met
Act as the primary escalation point for payroll vendor issues, discrepancies, and service gaps
Ensure compliance with federal, state, local laws and tax regulations, as well as SOX controls, internal control frameworks, and public company governance standards
Establish and maintain strong payroll governance, internal controls, and audit-ready processes, including audits and controls testing
Correspond with federal, state and local agencies as needed including registering for new tax withholding or state unemployment accounts
Partner with internal teams on compensation changes, benefits deductions, equity payouts, and employee lifecycle events
Collaborate with Accounting on payroll and tax reconciliations, accruals, and reporting
Lead payroll systems management, integrations, data integrity, and change management, including coordination with external providers and evaluation of new vendors and systems
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize vendor performance, streamline processes, and enhance scalability and employee experience
Lead, develop, and mentor a high-performing payroll team

Benefits

Competitive salary, plus bonus and long-term incentives
Early Wage Access!
Unlimited PTO, paid parental leave, plus paid opportunities to give back to the community
Health, Dental, Vision, Telemedicine, Pet Insurance plus more!
401k enrollment with CAVA contribution
Company-paid STD, LTD, Life and AD&D coverage for salaried positions
Free CAVA food
Casual work environment
The opportunity to be on the ground floor of a rapidly growing brand
All exempt and non exempt employees are eligible for benefits. Benefits are effective the 1st of the month following 30 days of service and you have until the day before the effective date to enroll. A new hire can enroll in our benefit program by selecting a link that is emailed directly to the new hire at their personal email address once hired.
Please note that visa sponsorship is not available.
The posting range is an all cash range. Indicates qualifying eligible positions only