Associate Director, Strategic Initiatives & Special Projects

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.

Salary Range: $155,000–$175,000

Location: New York, NY

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.

Key Responsibilities

CEO-Led Strategic Initiatives

• 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

Analytical Decision Support

• 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

Executive Communication & Cross-Functional Execution

• 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

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

Benefits & Perks

• 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!

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.

Massachusetts Applicants: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. 

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