Company Profile:

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 in service of 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 Vice President People and Culture

The Senior Vice President (SVP) of People & Culture is a pivotal executive leader responsible for shaping and executing a forward-thinking people strategy that enables CAVA’s rapid expansion and long-term success. This role will report to CAVA’s Chief People Officer and will be responsible for leading a team responsible for Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, Internal Communications, and Strategic People Partnerships—ensuring each function contributes to building a high-performance, purpose-led culture rooted in CAVA’s values.

As a senior leader, the SVP plays a critical role in scaling the organization, reinforcing cultural integrity, and building the workforce of the future. The role demands enterprise leadership, strategic foresight, and operational excellence across Support Center and restaurant teams nationwide.

What You’ll Do:

Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning

Develop and execute a future-ready talent acquisition strategy that scales with CAVA’s accelerated restaurant growth and business expansion goals.
Ensure high-velocity, high-quality hiring across Restaurant, Field, and Support Center roles by optimizing recruiting processes, tools, and partnerships.
Champion employer branding and talent marketing to position CAVA as an employer of choice, reflecting our purpose, values, and inclusive culture.

Learning, Leadership, & Organizational Development

Lead the design of a scalable learning ecosystem that drives operational consistency, team member capability, and leadership readiness.
Oversee the development and execution of enterprise-wide leadership programs that build internal bench strength, accelerate promotions, and reduce turnover.
Introduce modern, high-impact learning platforms and experiences tailored to CAVA teams.

Team Member Engagement & Retention

Shape and lead strategies that foster a people-first culture, enhance team member connection, and reduce churn in frontline and leadership roles.
Embed recognition, career development, and growth pathways that strengthen team member loyalty and long-term retention.
Utilize real-time feedback loops (pulse surveys, focus groups) to inform action plans and continuously improve the employee experience.

Culture, Inclusion, & Internal Communication

Scale and embed CAVA’s core values and cultural DNA as the company grows into new markets.
Serve as a champion for inclusion, embedding our human connection strategy into hiring, leadership, and cultural rituals to ensure our culture remains a welcoming workplace.
Lead internal communications that align, inspire, and connect team members across diverse geographies and functions.

Business Partner Relationships & Strategic Leadership

Act as a trusted advisor to the executive team, aligning people strategies with business objectives.
Partner with operations, marketing, and finance teams to support workforce planning and performance management.
Use data-driven insights to inform decision-making around hiring, compensation, and culture-building efforts.

The Qualifications:

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field (Master’s degree or MBA preferred).
20+ years of progressive Human Resources leadership experience, with at least 5-7 years at the senior executive level.
Strong background in hospitality, restaurant, retail, or multi-unit operations.
Experience leading high-growth organizations through rapid expansion, ideally opening multiple locations or entering new markets.

Core Competencies & Skills

Strategic People & Culture Leadership

Proven ability to develop and execute scalable people & culture strategies that align with business growth.
Strong knowledge of people & culture operations, talent acquisition, workforce planning, and compensation structures in the restaurant industry.
Ability to partner with C-suite executives and operations leaders to drive people-first initiatives.

Talent Acquisition & Workforce Development

Expertise in high-volume hiring and retention strategies for frontline restaurant workers.
Experience in developing leadership training and succession planning to build a strong internal pipeline for general managers and above.
Knowledge of employer branding and recruitment marketing to attract top talent in a competitive labor market.

Culture & Employee Engagement

Passion for fostering a strong, people-first culture in a fast-paced environment.
Experience implementing employee engagement, recognition, and retention programs.
Track record of leading culture initiatives within a modern employee value proposition.

Business Acumen & Data-Driven Decision-Making

Strong financial acumen, understanding labor costs, turnover impact, and workforce analytics.
Ability to use HR data to influence decision-making and improve organizational performance.
Experience with budgeting and forecasting for HR functions in a high-growth environment.

Leadership Style & Personal Attributes

People-focused leader who inspires teams and fosters a strong workplace culture.
Agility & adaptability to thrive in a fast-changing, high-growth restaurant environment.
Hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves mentality—comfortable working at both strategic and tactical levels.
Collaborative & influential communicator who can build relationships across corporate and restaurant teams.
Passion for the restaurant industry and a deep understanding of frontline workforce dynamics.

Bonus Qualifications

Certification in SPHR, SHRM-SCP, or other senior Human Resources leadership credentials.
Background in implementing tech-driven HR solutions (AI in recruiting, workforce analytics, etc.).

**The ideal SVP of People & Culture at CAVA is a dynamic leader who can build, scale, and sustain a high-performance workforce while preserving the company’s culture. They must excel in hiring, retention, leadership development, and operational execution to keep pace with the chain’s growth trajectory.**

Physical Requirements:

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
Constantly positions self and move about to support ordinary restaurant or food production support or office operations, as applicable
Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner

What we offer:

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 nonexempt 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

CAVA – Joining “A culture, not a concept”

As an equal opportunity employer, CAVA considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, height, weight, marital status, sexual orientation, familial status, genetic information or any other characteristic or protected classes as defined by federal, state, or local law. This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all the duties and responsibilities of the position, and such duties and responsibilities may change without notice.

CAVA

Latest Jobs

Manager Real Estate

Real Estate Manager - West

SVP People and Culture