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.

Location: Austin, Texas | Reports to: Studio Manager

Hourly Rate: $28.50/hour

 

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
• Available to work 30–40 hours/week, including weekends and holidays as needed
• 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 benefits, including $0 in-network mental health visits
• HSA (Health Savings Account) or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) 
• Dental, and vision insurance
• 401k 
• Up to $100 of Monthly Lifestyle Reimbursement funds for wellness-related expenses
• Additional mental health resources such as Talkspace and Ginger 
• Gender affirmation support services
• Commuter Benefits
• Ample paid time off including three months of paid family leave for all full-time retail employees (biological, adoptive, and foster parents are all eligible)
• 2 weeks Paid Sabbatical after four years of full-time service
• Trainings, performance reviews, and ongoing 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 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