Assistant Store Manager

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.

* Please Note: The official title for this role will be Assistant Studio Manager *

Location: McClean, VA | Reports to: Studio Manager | Full Time

Hourly Rate: $24.75

The Assistant Studio Manager is a key leadership role focused on supporting the day-to-day operations of the Studio and ensuring a consistently exceptional experience for Studs’s customers. This role serves as the primary partner to the Studio Manager and is expected to step in fully when they are off, maintaining consistency in leadership, execution, and culture.

As part of the Studio leadership team, you’ll help drive revenue, coach team members, and uphold the standards that define our customer experience. You’ll also play an important role in shaping team culture — modeling professionalism, accountability, and our core values. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, customer-facing environment and is ready to lead by example while growing alongside a high-performing team.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Excellence & Revenue

Leads day-to-day Studio operations in the Studio Manager’s absence, ensuring smooth execution across all functions

Manages inventory, supply ordering, and operational task completion with consistency and attention to detail

Tracks daily business performance and supports execution of sales strategies to drive revenue and hit targets

Partners with the Studio Manager to identify and act on trends in key metrics, ensuring goals stay on track

Upholds compliance standards, including safety protocols and piercing regulations, and escalates issues as needed

Customer Experience

Maintains a consistent presence on the floor to guide the team and ensure an exceptional customer experience

Actively supports resolution of customer concerns and models service recovery when needed

Identifies experience trends and advocates for improvements that elevate the Studio environment

Leadership & Team Development

Acts as a day-to-day leader for the team, setting a high standard for professionalism and accountability

Provides real-time coaching and clear, actionable feedback to support individual performance

Contributes to team development in collaboration with the Studio Manager

Reinforces Studs’s values and fosters a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and continuous improvement

Requirements:

1+ year of retail management, customer-facing team leadership experience, and demonstrated track record of operational excellence

Must be available to work a flexible schedule of five days per week (38-40 hours), including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Must maintain consistent availability

Weekend availability (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) is required, excluding approved PTO

Schedules may vary based on business needs, and full-time roles are expected to prioritize Studs as the primary employment commitment

Must reliably attend all scheduled shifts and maintain consistent availability

Will be scheduled in the Studio Manager’s absence; performs day-to-day studio operations across all functions

Comfortable standing for extended periods (up to 8+ hours) and able to lift and move up to 20 lbs

Comfortable handling chemicals and following all relevant health and safety protocols

Brings strong judgment, a proactive mindset, and a bias toward ownership and follow-through

Thrives in a feedback-rich environment and contributes to a collaborative, high-performing team culture

Benefits & Perks

Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance (including $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

401(k) Retirement Savings Plan

Paid Time Off and Paid Safe & Sick Leave Accruals

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.

Click here for the Studs Privacy Notice for California Applicants.