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!