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Associate Director, HRBP

New York, NY

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.

Based in New York, NY, the Associate Director, HRBP will be an integral part of the Studs People Team providing a broad range of support to employees and managers in our studios. You will be instrumental in coaching, advising and partnering with Retail leaders to build their leadership capability, help business strategy, develop talent and achieve business outcomes. You will be a key partner to managers in identifying and handling employee relations issues quickly and sensitively. You will synthesize insights and observations from across the organization to identify opportunities for engaging employees and meeting their needs, including implementing training programs tailored to our employees’ and managers’ needs and streamlining HR processes and procedures. You will also help design performance management, feedback, employee development and career pathing at Studs.

Salary Range: $155,000 - $175,000, plus equity

Key Responsibilities:

Talent Management

  • Onboard, mentor, and support Regional and Studio Managers on People-related matters, including HR policies, performance management, feedback, employee development, and career growth.
  • Drive HR-related change initiatives by partnering with executives and leaders to enhance the employee experience and ensure role clarity at both individual and Studio levels.
  • Develop and maintain an employee metrics dashboard to assess organizational health, generate insights, and equip leadership with data-driven recommendations.
  • Oversee the talent health of Studs Retail, identifying risks and succession opportunities for key roles and leadership positions.

Employee Relations

  • Develop and continuously improve processes for managing HR-related inquiries and requests, ensuring flexibility to support the company’s growth and evolving needs.
  • Lead employee relations efforts and accommodation requests, exercising sound judgment and partnering with the Legal Team as needed, while fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture.
  • Oversee the entire leave management process, from collecting employee information and evaluating requests to tracking time off, maintaining accurate documentation, and keeping key stakeholders (including People Operations, Finance, Payroll, and department leads) informed.

Performance Management

  • Execute and oversee the full performance management cycle for Retail employees, working closely with the VP of People to implement effective compensation programs.
  • Partner with business leaders to design and deliver training programs that address talent development needs and drive employee growth.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Proactively recommend programs and initiatives to the People Team and Retail business partners that strengthen Studs’ commitment to a healthy, collaborative, inclusive, and equitable workplace.
  • Advise business leaders on Retail-related organizational design, hiring strategies, and compensation decisions to support growth and operational success.
  • Ensure the successful training and implementation of People policies and processes for new team members during New Store Openings (NSOs).
  • Collaborate with the VP of People and people team members to develop innovative approaches to learning & development and employee rewards.
  • Contribute to various People Team projects as needed to drive business and employee success.

Requirements:

  • 10+ years of relevant and progressive human experience as a senior strategic HR business partner/manager. Experience implementing large-scale programs across a department and business.
  • Prior experience at a retail organization in a field-facing role is required.
  • Experience developing HRBP individuals/teams.
  • Very strong knowledge of and experience with G-suite, ADP Workforce Now, Greenhouse and Excel is critical.
  • Knowledge of or experience with benefits programs and partners a plus.
  • Knowledge leader, with demonstrated mastery in change leadership and overall talent management.
  • A business leader, who is equally a builder of HR solutions based on HR best practices, as well as an astute business member who employs solutions that affect current and future business performance.
  • Excellent change management skills - comfortable with a dynamic industry, analyze complex problems, set priorities and achieve commitments.
  • Can balance compassion and toughness in coaching others.
  • Experience with creating healthy organizations, driving transformation and helping culture be a competitive advantage.
  • Understanding of federal and state employment and labor laws.
  • Strong critical thinker with excellent judgment.
  • Superb written and verbal communication skills, with a particular ability to take difficult concepts and explain them in simple terms for employees.
  • Very strong attention to detail and impeccable organizational skills.
  • Driven, creative and proactive problem solver that consistently acts with integrity and speaks up.
  • Ability to interact effectively at all levels of the organization in a fast-paced environment while building strong internal relationships and influence across departments.
  • Be a team player who rolls up their sleeves and takes on additional responsibilities, while also being comfortable working independently and thinking strategically.
  • Excellent client service skills with the ability to take a business-oriented approach to recognizing needs, solving problems and anticipating issues.
  • Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.
  • Ability to travel as necessary and up to 30% of the year, including proactively check-ing in with Studios and aiming to get ahead of employee relations issues.

Benefits & Perks

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, including $0 in-network mental health visits, commuter benefits and 401k
  • HSA (Health Savings Account) or FSA (Flexible Spending Account)
  • Additional mental health resources such as Talkspace and Headspace
  • Gender affirmation support services, EAP sessions and work/life resources 
  • Flexible Work Environment (3 days in office, 2 days work from home)
  • 4 weeks accrued Paid Time Off, 7 days accrued Sick Time, 11 paid holidays, and 4 Quarterly Wellness Days (where the whole team takes time off together to recharge)
  • Three months of paid Parental Leave (biological, adoptive, and foster parents are all eligible)
  • A paid sabbatical after four years of full-time service
  • Ongoing learning & development, opportunities for upward mobility, performance reviews, and consistent coaching to help you grow professionally
  • Discounts on piercings and products (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 extended life insurance

Studs is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a work environment that fosters diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity without regard to race, color, gender, age, creed, sex, religion, national origin, disability (physical or mental), marital status, citizenship, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, or any other legally protected status. Studs considers qualified applicants with criminal histories. We comply with applicable state and local laws prohibiting discrimination in employment in every jurisdiction in which we operate. If you require an accommodation for the application process, please fill out this form.

Click here for the Studs Privacy Notice for California Applicants.

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