Legal Risk Manager Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

Job Purpose

The Sr. Manager, Compliance plays a critical role in building and scaling Panera's enterprise Ethics and Compliance Program. This role partners across Legal, Risk, HR, Operations, and IT to implement effective processes, tools, and controls that promote ethical business practices and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The Sr. Manager will help operationalize Panera's compliance framework by managing projects, improving program maturity, and maintaining consistent standards, reporting, and accountability mechanisms across the business.

Duties & Responsibilities

Program Development and Execution

• Support the design and execution of Panera's enterprise compliance roadmap, including defining timelines, dependencies, and resourcing needs.
• Manage program milestones and proactively identify and communicate risks or obstacles that may affect delivery.
• Partner with business functions to identify, assess, and monitor compliance and operational risks.
• Maintain documentation, dashboards, and playbooks to enhance program visibility and accountability.
• Coordinate internal assessments and readiness reviews to support effective risk management and compliance practices.
• Support third-party compliance efforts in coordination with Legal, Risk, and Procurement.

Regulatory Monitoring and Advisory

• Support Panera's regulatory monitoring process, maintaining awareness of federal, state, and local laws and regulations impacting operations, including labor, data privacy, advertising, and consumer protection.
• Evaluate new or changing regulations, assess potential operational impacts, and assist in coordinating with Legal and business teams on implementation of necessary controls.
• Maintain a centralized regulatory tracker and assist with regular updates and summaries for key stakeholders.
• Partner with Legal to provide business-focused guidance on compliance requirements and risk mitigation strategies.
• Draft and update compliance guidance, policies, and procedures in collaboration with business functions to align with evolving regulations and practices.
• Collaborate with Legal, HR, Risk, and Operations to help integrate compliance requirements into business processes and decision-making.

Governance, Reporting, and Monitoring

• Support preparation of compliance metrics and reporting for the Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Committee and senior leadership.
• Utilize analytics and reporting tools to identify trends, measure program effectiveness, and recommend areas for improvement.

Policy Governance and Controls

• Support the company's Policy Governance process, including lifecycle tracking, review coordination, and version control.
• Ensure policies are current, consistent, and accessible, and that business owners follow established governance protocols.
• Collaborate with Legal and business functions to align policies with regulatory requirements and company practices.

Training, Communication, and Awareness

• Assist in the design and delivery of compliance and ethics training programs across the organization.
• Develop communications and materials to promote compliance awareness and ethical decision-making.
• Respond to employee inquiries regarding compliance obligations and best practices.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Business Support

• Partner with Legal, HR, Operations, and other functions to embed compliance requirements into business operations.
• Serve as a compliance resource and advisor by providing practical guidance on risk mitigation and policy interpretation.
• Facilitate meetings by preparing agendas, documenting key takeaways, and tracking action items to completion.

Technology and Continuous Improvement

• Support the implementation and maintenance of compliance management systems and workflows to track activities, metrics, and remediation.
• Participate in the evaluation and deployment of GRC and compliance technology platforms.
• Leverage automation, analytics, and dashboards to streamline program management and reporting.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, transparency, and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications (Education & Experience)

• Bachelor's degree required; certification such as CCEP, CRMP, or equivalent preferred.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in compliance, risk management, audit, or governance roles.
• Experience supporting or implementing compliance programs, frameworks, or technology solutions.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with demonstrated ability to manage complex initiatives.
• Experience in multi-unit retail, consumer-facing, or franchised organizations preferred.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to partner effectively across functions.
• Familiarity with compliance frameworks and control environments.
• Proficiency with GRC or compliance management systems, data analytics, and reporting tools.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• High degree of integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment.

Working Conditions

• This position is hybrid (3 days in office) and is based in our Newton, MA office.
• Required travel - as needed.

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.

Salary:$136,383-$190,937

Equal Opportunity Employer: Disabled/Veterans

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.