Job description
Description
Claire’s has safely pierced over 110 million ears worldwide and operates under a structured, step-by-step clinical piercing approach that prioritizes safety, sterility, and informed guest education at every stage of the service. Our Piercing Specialists complete structured certification and ongoing skill validation to ensure every piercing is delivered with precision, consistency, and confidence — especially for first-time and pediatric guests. As a global fashion brand rooted in self-expression, creativity, and fun, we bring the latest trends in accessories and professional piercing services to life through engaging retail experiences that empower customers to be their most authentic selves.
OVERVIEW
As an Assistant Store Manager, you are a hands-on leader who supports store performance through sales leadership, people development, operational execution, and piercing excellence. You partner closely with the Store Manager to deliver consistent results while reinforcing Claire’s Clinical Piercing Standards and elevating team capability around safe, professional piercing services. You play an important role in bringing Claire’s retail business pillars to life by driving retail and piercing performance, coaching associates on consultation and service quality, and creating a positive team environment that delivers strong customer experiences and measurable results.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Piercing Excellence | Clinical Leadership • Deliver professional ear-piercing services in accordance with Claire’s Clinical Piercing Standards and safety protocols. • Coach and validate Sales Associates and Part-Time Managers on piercing technique, consultation quality, and aftercare education to ensure safe, consistent service execution. • Ensure piercing stations meet documented cleanliness, organization, and readiness standards at all times. • Monitor piercing performance metrics and drive growth through strong conversion, add-on attachment, and aftercare compliance. • Reinforce certification requirements and support ongoing skill validation and development of the team. • Follow and enforce all sterilization, hygiene, eligibility screening, and incident reporting procedures without exception. Customer Experience | Brand Ambassador • Consistently deliver friendly, engaging services that keep customers coming back and build loyalty to the brand. • Contribute to meeting and/or exceeding all KPI goals and objectives for the store by providing best-in-class service. • Lead by example in delivering exceptional, personalized customer experiences. • Resolve customer concerns and escalations with professionalism and empathy. • Champion brand standards and trend-forward selling behaviors. People | Training & Coaching • Support hiring, onboarding, and training of new associates. • Build positive relationships with peers and contribute to a positive, inclusive, highenergy team culture. • Coach and develop associates on piercing consultation, placement precision, customer confidence-building, and aftercare communication. • Conduct real-time observation and feedback on piercing services to ensure adherence to clinical and safety standards. • Support certification completion and skill reinforcement for new piercing specialists. • Coach selling behaviors, including add-ons, styling, and customer engagement. • Provide real-time feedback, recognition, and performance support. Sales & Business Performance | Results • Take ownership of store performance. • Support the execution of promotions, sales-driving initiatives, and company priorities. • Drive store-level piercing and product conversion, product attachment rate, and service execution standards through structured coaching and performance followup. • Use performance data to identify gaps in consultation quality, attachment behaviors, and selling effectiveness, implementing clear action plans to improve results. Operations | Store Execution • Support scheduling, cash handling, inventory accuracy, and visual execution. • Ensure adherence to policies, safety standards, and loss prevention practices. • Open and close the store and manage cash handling accurately. • Oversee shipment processing and inventory accuracy to keep the store well stocked, organized, and ready for customers. • Maintain a clean, organized, and visually appealing store that reflects Claire’s brand standards and creates a great shopping experience. • Execute operational tasks and company initiatives as directed by store leadership.
ABOUT YOU
• Sales-Driven Mindset | Personal Responsibility: You thrive on meeting and exceeding sales targets, always looking for ways to maximize opportunities – and you take full ownership of results without excuses. • Customer-Centric Approach | Integrity: You’re passionate about providing exceptional service and creating memorable shopping experiences, and you lead with integrity by consistently following through on your commitments to both customers and your team. • Retail & Leadership Experience | Decision Making: At least one year of retail management experience preferred, with a proven ability to make timely, thoughtful decisions that drive sales and support team success. • Confidence in Piercing Services | Growth Mindset: You’re willing to become a trained piercing specialist and provide expert guidance to customers, with a curiosity and commitment to continuous learning and improvement. • Strong Communication & Selling Skills | Intentional Communication: You know how to engage customers, build relationships, and close the sale by communicating with clarity and purpose to move the business forward. • Team-Oriented Leader | Collaboration & Teamwork: You actively build trust, foster an inclusive team culture, and know that winning and losing happens together. • Ability to Work Independently: | Decision Making: You’re self-motivated, organized, and can make timely, confident decisions even when information is incomplete. JOB REQUIREMENTS Experience & Skills • You are proficient in operating a POS system to facilitate transactions and manage sales e??iciently, contributing to smooth store operations. • You are passionate about providing our customers with opportunities to express themselves freely every day. • You are energized by interacting with customers and strive to provide excellent service throughout their visit. • You have strong verbal and written communication skills to e??ectively interact with customers, employees, and management. • You’re self-motivated and organized, as some of our stores may require you to work alone at times. • You show a passion for fashion and stay up to date with the latest trends, which can contribute to enhancing customer experience and driving sales. • You are a driven team leader with a positive attitude and willingness to learn. • You can create a curated fashion look with products during your shift. Operational & Physical Requirements • You can stand during scheduled shifts and maneuver 25 – 75lbs. • You can work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. • You can bend, stoop, perform extended reaching, and climb ladders or step stools while placing merchandise throughout the store and assisting customers. • You possess a strong grasp of mathematics, essential for tasks such as inventory management, sales analysis, and cash handling. • You are inspired by our values of teamwork, compassion, integrity, customer delight, diversity, and self-expression. Additional Requirements • Must become a certified Claire’s Piercing Specialist and demonstrate the ability to coach, observe, and elevate piercing technique and service standards across the team. • Demonstrate controlled, standardized piercing technique with precision and adherence to placement, sanitation, and safety protocols, maintaining professional composure with pediatric and first-time guests. • You hold a high school diploma or equivalent and have 1-2 years of retail management experience.
PERKS AND BENEFITS
• Full-Time employees will be eligible for benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, HSA). • Generous employee discount on Claire's products. • Opportunities for advancement and career development. • Fun and inclusive work environment with supportive teammates. CANDIDATE JOURNEY Upon submitting your application, you can expect an update within 5 days. If the hiring manager wants to proceed with your application, the process will involve a face-to-face interview in one of our stores. This will provide you with the opportunity to showcase your passion for customer service, teamwork, and self-expression, while also giving us a chance to get to know you better. Claire's is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and we encourage applications from members of all underrepresented groups, including those with disabilities. We will accommodate applicants' needs, upon request, throughout all stages of the recruitment process. Please inform us of the accommodation(s) that you may require
Summary
Claire’s is committed to adhering to all applicable company policies and federal, state, and local laws and regulations. All positions will be compensated at or above the legally mandated minimum wage for the location in which work is performed. The final compensation will be determined by various factors such as relevant work experience, education, certifications, skills, and geographic location.
Benefits
for full-time employees included medical, dental, and vision insurance, voluntary welfare plans, bonus plan eligibility, 401(k) match, vacation time, sick time* and paid leave.
Benefits
for part-time employees included voluntary welfare plans, 401(k) match, vacation time, sick time* and paid leave in required states.
*Sick Time: For the State of Washington, all employees will accrue paid sick time at the rate of 1 hour for every 30 hours worked.
Claire's is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and we encourage applications from members of all underrepresented groups, including those with disabilities. We will accommodate applicants' needs, upon request, throughout all stages of the recruitment process. Please inform us of the accommodation(s) that you may require.
Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially. To request accommodation, please email Benefits@claires.com . Only messages sent for this purpose will be considered.