People & Culture Business Partner (Mid-Atlantic)

People + Culture Business Partner

CANDIDATES MUST BE LOCATED IN: Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, D.C.

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.

As a strategic business partner to restaurant operations leadership, the People + Culture Business Partner plays a critical role in achieving CAVA's brand and financial goals by maximizing our greatest asset—our people. Grounded in our values and the commitment to our mission, this role champions a culture of internal development, continuous learning, and career growth across the organization.

The People + Culture Business Partner serves as a trusted advisor and change agent, leveraging strong partnerships and influence to guide leaders in building high-performing, people-first teams. Through a focus on development, engagement, and effective people practices, they help cultivate an environment where team members can thrive, grow their careers, and contribute to collective success.

This role embodies multiple facets—advisor, advocate, coach, developer, facilitator, and culture steward—driving initiatives that strengthen leadership capability, enhance the employee experience, and reinforce CAVA's commitment to generosity, curiosity, and collective ambition.

This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities, and responsibilities may evolve based on business needs.

What You'll Do:

• Serve as a strategic People + Culture Business Partner to our Restaurant Operations teams, aligning people strategies with business objectives to drive performance, engagement, and operational excellence
• Act as a trusted advisor to leaders and team members on employee relations matters, including performance management, investigations, conflict resolution, and policy interpretation, ensuring consistent, fair, and compliant practices
• Lead and support employee relations investigations and escalated concerns, exercising sound judgment, discretion, and a commitment to timely, thorough, and equitable resolution
• Coach and develop leaders on performance management, corrective action, documentation, and engagement strategies to build high-performing, people-first teams
• Promote a positive and inclusive employee relations environment by proactively identifying risks, addressing concerns, and reinforcing a culture of respect, accountability, and belonging
• Partner cross-functionally with Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, Total Rewards, and People Systems and other support teams to implement scalable solutions that support hiring, onboarding, development, and internal mobility
• Drive talent planning, succession strategies, and development initiatives to build a strong, diverse leadership pipeline and support internal growth across the organization
• Analyze workforce data, including turnover, engagement, and employee relations trends, to deliver insights and implement proactive solutions that enhance retention and the team member experience
• Champion and execute enterprise People + Culture programs and organizational initiatives, supporting change management, workforce planning, and organizational design efforts
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws, while maintaining accurate records, supporting HR systems and reporting, and contributing to continuous improvement of People + Culture processes and practices

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive Human Resources experience, ideally within a multi-unit, restaurant, or high-growth environment
• Willingness to travel 30% or more to provide in-market, in-restaurant support alongside operational field leadership.
• Demonstrated experience in employee relations, including independently conducting investigations with minimal supervision and exercising sound judgment in complex situations
• Strong knowledge of employment laws, HR policies, and best practices, with the ability to apply them effectively in a dynamic setting
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills; bilingual Spanish proficiency preferred
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• Experience with HRIS platforms (e.g., UKG, Workday) and workforce data reporting preferred
• Maintains a high level of discretion, professionalism, and confidentiality when handling sensitive information
• Models and reinforces a hospitality, service first mindset, coaching leaders on how to support and engage team members with respect and care
• Fosters an inclusive, supportive, and development-focused environment that encourages learning, growth, and collaboration
• Demonstrates integrity, transparency, and strong communication in all interactions, while effectively partnering cross-functionally to drive innovative solutions and continuous improvement

What We Offer: We've got you covered. Here are just some of the benefits available to CAVA team members:

• Competitive base salary + bonus
• Unlimited PTO
• Early Wage Access*
• Health, Dental, Vision, Telemedicine, Pet Insurance plus more!*
• 401k enrollment with CAVA contribution*
• Paid sick leave, parental leave, and community service leave*
• The opportunity to be on the ground floor of a rapidly growing brand *indicates eligible qualifying positions

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to bend and reach overhead often
• Must possess dexterity to handle tongs, pots/pans, and other equipment
• Must be comfortable working in temperatures ranging from hot to cold
• Must be comfortable working near open flames
• May be required to work in tight spaces
• Must maintain near constant communication with multiple people
• Close vision, distance vision, and peripheral vision are required
• Must be able to sit, squat and kneel occasionally
• Must be able to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner
• May be required to occasionally work in outdoor weather conditions
• May stand for long periods of time and lift up to 50 pounds

As an equal opportunity employer, CAVA considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, familial status, genetic information or any other characteristic or protected classes as defined by federal, state, or local law.

We run background checks on all new hires in this position.