Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives & Special Projects

Studs•New York, NY

69d•$155,000 - $175,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Studs is a category-defining ear piercing and earring brand named one of "the 10 most innovative companies in retail for 2023" by Fast Company. Studs connects ear piercing with aftercare and earring shopping to create an end-to-end Earscaping experience. We offer a better retail and digital experience that prioritizes safety and expertise in a cool, fun and welcoming environment, along with a wide earring assortment-all at an accessible price point. The Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives & Special Projects is a high-impact, high-accountability role reporting directly to our CEO. This person will act as a thought partner and operator-leading cross-functional initiatives that shape Studs' long-term growth and operating model. You'll help evaluate new opportunities, solve critical business problems, and drive strategic priorities forward with speed and precision. The ideal candidate brings top-tier analytical horsepower, strategy training (consulting, banking, or investing), and a proven ability to execute in fast-paced, ambiguous environments. This is a role for someone who can shift seamlessly between a board memo, a financial model, and a project stand-up-delivering work that stands up to executive and investor scrutiny.

Requirements

6-8+ years of experience across top-tier consulting, investment banking, private equity, or high-growth operator roles
Undergraduate degree from a top university; MBA from a leading business school strongly preferred
Exceptional structured thinking and analytical problem-solving skills
Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives with minimal oversight
Comfort working directly with executive leadership and Board-facing materials
Strong executive communication skills across decks, models, and written memos
Proficient in Excel/Google Sheets and Slides; familiarity with Asana or Monday is a plus
Comfortable navigating ambiguity and making decisions with imperfect information

Nice To Haves

MBA from a leading business school strongly preferred
Familiarity with Asana or Monday is a plus

Responsibilities

Partner directly with the CEO to lead company-critical initiatives tied to growth, new offerings, and operating model evolution
Run end-to-end diligence on whitespace opportunities (e.g. market scans, unit economics, operating requirements, vendor/partner evaluations)
Lead cross-functional execution on strategic initiatives such as pricing architecture, studio expansion modeling, or new product incubations
Build clear project plans that define scope, owners, milestones, and impact-ensuring accountability across functions
Build dynamic models and frameworks to support executive decision-making (e.g. forecast models, margin decomposition, scenario analysis)
Conduct structured research and benchmarking to support business cases (e.g. consumer trends, competitive analysis, adjacent category sizing)
Pressure-test assumptions and surface tradeoffs clearly; convert findings into recommendations that hold up under Board-level scrutiny
Develop investor- and Board-ready materials (e.g. strategic memos, pitch decks, performance snapshots)
Work cross-functionally to clarify priorities, resolve blockers, and ensure timely execution; drive alignment across Finance, Retail, Marketing, Product, and People by clarifying priorities and surfacing risks early
Communicate clearly and concisely in both written and live settings, adapting your message for C-suite, field operators, or external stakeholders

Benefits

Flexible Work Environment (3 days in office, 2 days work from home)
Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance (including a plan option with $0 in-network mental health visits)
Access to Mental Health and Work/Life Resources including Online Therapy, Gender Affirmation Support Services, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Voluntary Life Insurance
Health and Commuter Tax-Advantaged Accounts
Stock Options in connection with the Company's Equity Incentive Plan
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
Paid Time Off, Paid Safe & Sick Leave, and Paid Parental Leave
Paid Sabbatical After 4 Years of Service
Exclusive Employee Discounts on Piercings and Jewelry (we've got your friends and family covered too!)
Access to PerkSpot and additional benefits such as pet insurance, discounted tickets, personal finance coaching, healthy rewards, and more!