Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives & Special Projects, Studs
$155-175k
+ Stock Options
3 days a week in office
Piercing studio
Be an early applicant
Piercing studio
201-500 employees
Be an early applicant
$155-175k
+ Stock Options
3 days a week in office
201-500 employees
Company mission
To become the most trusted national authority in Earscaping®.
Role
Who you are
- 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
- 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
What the job involves
- 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
- 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
Our take
Conscious consumption and the influence of social media advertising have ushered in a new era of Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) brands targeting mindful millennials and Gen-Z customers. Among these brands, Studs has seized the opportunity, focusing on the ear-piercing market.
Studs does not merely provide ear-piercing services; it is crafting an entire experience for its customers. The company's leadership firmly believes that customers are increasingly using earrings to celebrate self-expression and mark significant milestones in their lives. Studs aims to build a brand that resonates with these precious moments, offering a unique approach to jewelry.
To achieve its vision, the company has embarked on a national expansion of its physical retail locations, now sporting 23 locations across the US with plans for more to open very soon. And with famous customers like Emma Chamberlain, Dixie D'Amelio and Rosalía, the company is truly on its way to cementing its place as a leader in the world of piercing.
Kirsty
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
96% employee growth in 12 months
Company
Funding (2 rounds)
Oct 2021
$20m
SERIES B
Nov 2019
$3m
SEED
Total funding: $23m
Company benefits
- Health & Wellness: A comprehensive benefits package that includes premium medical, dental, and vision coverage; 401k; life insurance; and lifestyle reimbursement.
- Paid Family Leave: Three months of paid family leave for all full-time corporate and retail employees (biological, adoptive, and foster parents are all eligible)
- Flexible Schedule: Ample paid time off plus a paid sabbatical after your first four years
- Transparency: Employees are given the information and context they need to succeed via feedback forums like Town Halls, AMAs, and weekly one-on-one’s
- Growth & Development: Trainings, performance reviews, and ongoing coaching to help you continuously grow professionally
- Studs Discounts: Discounts on piercings and products (we’ve got your friends and family covered too!)
Company HQ
Bowery, New York, NY
Leadership
Anna Harman
(Co-Founder & CEO)Prior to Studs, they were acting Chief Customer Officer at Jetblack. Also worked as Head of Operations at Fitz, a wardrobe tech company, and was COO of Research Analytics at Bridgewater Associates.
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