Sr. Manager, Early Career Programs

Sr. Manager, Early Career Programs

The Sr Manager, Early Career Programs plays a pivotal role in shaping our future leadership talent pipeline. This dynamic position combines full-cycle recruiting for early-career talent (e.g., interns, new graduates, MBA’s) with the strategic design and execution of impactful early career programs. This individual will be responsible for attracting, engaging, and hiring diverse talent directly from universities and other early-talent pipelines, while also building and nurturing programs that provide meaningful development opportunities and pathways into Panera. This role is crucial for strengthening our employer brand within academic communities and ensuring a robust, sustainable talent supply for our organization.

This position is hybrid, and requires three days a week onsite at our Newton, MA offices.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Early Career Program Design & Management:
• Design, develop, and implement comprehensive early career programs (e.g., internship programs, new graduate rotational programs, MBA Management Development Programs) that align with Panera’s talent strategy and business needs.
• Oversee all aspects of program logistics, including onboarding, mentorship pairing, performance management frameworks, and program-related events.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders (hiring managers, HR Business Partners, Talent Management Team, Senior leadership) to define program objectives, secure resources, and ensure program success and participant development.
• Develop and manage program budgets, tracking expenditures and optimizing resource allocation.
• Full-Cycle Early Career Recruiting:
• Manage the end-to-end recruitment process for a portfolio of early career roles (internships, new graduate positions, MBA’s) across various departments.
• Develop and execute innovative sourcing strategies to identify, attract, and engage diverse candidates from universities, coding other early talent pools.
• Conduct thorough candidate screening, manage interview processes, and facilitate offer negotiations to ensure a positive and efficient experience.
• Act as a trusted advisor to hiring managers, guiding them through the early career hiring process and promoting best practices.
• University Relations & Campus Engagement:
• Build and maintain strong, strategic relationships with target universities, academic departments, career services, and student organizations.
• Plan and execute engaging campus recruitment events, career fairs, information sessions, and workshops (virtual and in-person) to promote Panera as an employer of choice.
• Identify and implement creative ways to connect with students and faculty, enhancing Panera visibility and reputation within academic communities.
• Manage a budget for sponsoring university events and hackathons as an employer.
• Candidate & Program Experience:
• Champion an exceptional candidate experience for all early career applicants, ensuring clear communication, timely feedback, and a welcoming process.
• Continuously seek feedback from program participants, managers, and mentors to iterate on and improve program effectiveness and participant satisfaction.
• Data, Metrics & Reporting:
• Track, analyze, and report on key early career recruiting and program metrics (e.g., conversion rates, program completion rates, retention, cost-per-hire).
• Use data insights to identify trends, inform decision-making, and demonstrate the ROI of early career initiatives to leadership.

Qualifications (Education & Experience)

• A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in talent acquisition, with a significant focus on early career recruitment, university relations, or talent program management.
• Experience in developing an Early Career Talent Acquisition function a plus.
• Recruiting Expertise: Proven ability in full-cycle recruitment, with a strong emphasis on early career or university hiring.
• Program Management Acumen: Demonstrated experience in designing, launching, and managing talent development programs, ideally within a corporate environment.
• Relationship Building: Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport and trust with diverse stakeholders, including students, university faculty, career services professionals, hiring managers, and senior leaders.
• Communication Excellence: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, capable of crafting compelling messages for various audiences and delivering engaging presentations.
• Organizational & Project Management: Highly organized with strong project management skills, capable of managing multiple priorities, deadlines, and complex initiatives simultaneously.
• Data-Driven Approach: Ability to analyze recruiting and program data, identify insights, and translate them into actionable strategies and recommendations.
• Problem-Solving & Adaptability: Resourceful and proactive in identifying challenges, proposing solutions, and adapting strategies in a dynamic environment.
• Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), sourcing tools and other recruiting technologies such as Handshake.
• Employer Branding Understanding: Understanding of employer branding principles and how operational efficiency and candidate experience contribute to a strong talent brand.
• Creativity & Innovation: Ability to think creatively to develop engaging programs.

Working Conditions

• Required travel - limited

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 0 direct reports.

Newton Support Center