Manager, Wage & Hour Compliance

Job Summary 

The Manager, Wage & Hour Compliance is responsible for the operational execution, administration, and continuous improvement of Shake Shack's wage and hour and scheduling compliance programs  This role translates enterprise compliance strategy into scalable processes, audits, training, systems enhancements, and operational practices that support adherence to federal, state, and local employment laws. 

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Compliance, the Manager serves as a manager-level independent contributor and program lead overseeing the day-to-day administration of wage and hour auditing, predictive scheduling/ Fair Workweek compliance, and other compliance-related initiatives. This role leads cross-functional execution and partners closely with Operations, People Resources, Legal, HRIS, and Technology to identify compliance risks, drive corrective actions, and support organizational readiness for evolving regulatory requirements. 

The Manager plays a critical role as the program lead in ensuring these compliance programs are administered consistently, efficiently, and in accordance with company policies and applicable laws, while driving accountability through influence rather than direct people management. 

Eligible locations: (Hybrid - 3x week)
New York Support Center (225 Varick St. New York, NY)
Atlanta Support Center (2 Ballpark Center, 800 Battery Ave SE Atlanta, GA)

Job Responsibilities and Duties 

Wage & Hour Compliance Program Management 

• Develops and manages enterprise wage and hour audit programs designed to monitor compliance across multiple jurisdictions and multiple topics – meal and rest, minors, timekeeping, scheduling, overtime. 

• Establishes scalable audit methodologies and reporting mechanisms that efficiently identify compliance risks at scale.  

• Analyzes audit findings, identifies root causes, and develops corrective action plans with operational and cross-functional partners.  

• Develops and maintains compliance scorecards, dashboards, and key performance indicators to monitor program effectiveness and identify emerging risks. 

•  Provides regular reporting and trend analysis to People Resources and Operations leadership. 

• Recommends process, policy, system, and operational enhancements to strengthen compliance and reduce risk.  

• Creates and delivers training, communications, and educational resources based on audit findings and emerging compliance trends.  

• Supports regulatory requests, audits, investigations, and other compliance-related inquiries. 

• Serves as primary point of contact for day-to-day manager inquiries.

Predictive Scheduling & Fair Workweek Compliance 

• Oversees administration of Predictive Scheduling and Fair Workweek compliance programs.  

• Maintains audit tools, certification programs, job aids, and e-learning content to ensure alignment with current legal requirements and company practices.  

• Recommends process, policy, system, and operational enhancements to strengthen compliance and to create operational ease of execution.  

• Conducts ongoing compliance reviews and supports remediation efforts where opportunities are identified.  

• Partners with Operations to ensure consistent understanding and execution of scheduling requirements.  

Compliance Systems & Technology 

• Partners with HRIS, Technology, and Operations Support teams to test, validate, and implement compliance-related system enhancements and legislative updates.  

• Participates in requirements gathering, user acceptance testing (UAT), rollout planning, and change management activities.  

• Updates associated training materials, operational guidance, and compliance documentation following system changes.  

• Identifies opportunities to automate compliance monitoring, reporting, and auditing activities.  

Legislative Implementation & Business Readiness 

• Supports the organization's readiness for new and changing labor and scheduling legislation.  

• Assists in evaluating operational impacts and implementation requirements for new regulatory obligations.  

• Supports implementation plans including process changes, system updates, communications, manager guidance, and training materials.  

• Collaborates with Operations, Legal, HRIS, Payroll, and Technology teams to ensure successful execution of compliance initiatives.  

New Shack Openings (NSOs) & Operational Support 

• Partners with New Shack Opening teams to ensure compliance requirements are incorporated into launch planning and operational readiness activities.  

• Provides guidance regarding labor law compliance, scheduling practices, workplace postings, and workforce administration processes.  

• Supports manager onboarding and training efforts related to workforce compliance programs.  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local wage and hour laws, predictive scheduling requirements, meal and rest break regulations, minor labor laws, and related workforce compliance requirements. 

• Experience developing and executing compliance audits and risk-monitoring programs.  

• Experience analyzing large data sets and translating findings into actionable business recommendations. 

• Ability to translate compliance findings into practical business solutions and operational improvements.  

• Strong project management, change management, and implementation skills.  

• Experience supporting HRIS and workforce management system implementations and enhancements.  

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex data and identify trends.  

• Excellent written, verbal, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.  

• Ability to influence cross-functional partners and drive accountability without direct authority.  

Qualifications and Experience 

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Labor Relations, or related field preferred or equivalent experience. 

• 5+ years of progressive experience in workforce compliance, employment law, human resources, or related field.  

• Experience supporting or operating in Fair Workweek jurisdictions. 

• Experience supporting multi-state operations in hospitality, retail, restaurant, or other multi-unit environments.  

• Experience conducting audits and implementing corrective action plans.  

• Experience managing cross-functional projects and compliance-related initiatives.  

• Experience supporting workforce management systems such as Harri, Kronos, UKG, Workday, or similar platforms preferred.