Back to jobs

Associate Director, Talent

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, Talent is a critical leader within the People Team, reporting directly to the VP of People. This role is responsible for shaping and executing strategic talent initiatives that align with the company’s long-term objectives. As the strategic talent leader, you will ensure that workforce planning, leadership development, and learning strategies support business goals while fostering a culture of continuous growth and adaptability. You will play a key role in workforce planning, leadership development, talent acquisition, and change management strategies, positioning the company for sustainable growth. You will be responsible for ensuring comprehensive training for employees, with a priority on managerial capability building, as well as partner with business leaders in co-authoring learning journeys across the company.

You will manage the Associate Manager of Employee Experience, who is responsible for the employee engagement survey processes, supporting performance review processes including system ownership of the platform, managing LMS administration and training delivery processes, and providing administrative support for talent programs. You will guide and develop this direct report to ensure efficient and impactful delivery of key employee experience and learning initiatives.

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

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Talent Partnership & People Strategy

  • Advise leaders on talent strategy, organizational design, and leadership effectiveness to align with long-term business goals.
  • Develop and implement talent strategies that enhance workforce planning, employee engagement, and retention.
  • Leverage talent analytics to track trends, diagnose challenges, and guide data-informed decision-making.
  • Partner with Legal and People Operations to ensure compliance with employment laws and policies.
  • Contribute to compensation and benefits strategy, ensuring competitive and equitable programs.

Leadership Development & Talent Operations

  • Build leadership capability through targeted training programs and co-author learning journeys with business leaders.
  • Develop and oversee learning and development initiatives, prioritizing managerial capability and professional growth.
  • Guide the Employee Experience Associate Manager on LMS administration and employee engagement surveys.
  • Lead change management initiatives, fostering smooth transitions during organizational changes.
  • Oversee the development and implementation of key talent programs, including performance management and career development.
  • Guide managers in conducting performance evaluations and setting clear expectations.

Talent Acquisition, Workforce Planning & Organizational Development

  • Oversee the execution of talent acquisition strategies, ensuring alignment with workforce planning and business needs.
  • Lead talent management and succession planning efforts to build leadership continuity and a strong internal pipeline.
  • Drive workforce planning by aligning hiring, retention, and mobility strategies with business objectives.
  • Lead organizational development initiatives to support team evolution, restructuring, and role clarity.
  • Analyze employee engagement trends and recommend proactive strategies to enhance culture and retention.

Requirements:

  • 8+ years of progressive HR and talent experience, with at least 3 years in a strategic HRBP or leadership role.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field; advanced degree or certifications (e.g., SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP) preferred.
  • Proven ability to drive talent strategy, workforce planning, and leadership development in a high-growth environment.
  • Experience designing and implementing learning and development programs, especially focused on managerial capability.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage direct reports, with a focus on employee experience and learning initiatives.
  • Experience overseeing performance review processes and employee engagement surveys, translating insights into strategic actions.
  • Strong leadership presence with the ability to advise, coach, and influence at all levels.
  • Data-driven approach with experience leveraging analytics to inform strategy and measure impact.
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex HR topics into practical guidance.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and proactive mindset, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and prioritize competing demands.
  • Knowledge of HR systems (e.g., ADP Workforce Now, Greenhouse) and data tools (e.g., G-Suite, Excel).

Benefits & Perks

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as 401k
  • 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
  • Exclusive employee piercing and jewelry discounts (plus discounts for friends and family)

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.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Select...
Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in STUDS’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.