The Role
The Theory Management Candidate (TMC) Program is designed to develop the next generation of business leaders—leaders who think with ownership, act with purpose, and translate Theory’s vision into action in our stores. Through this immersive program, you will build the skills, confidence, and the business mindset needed to contribute to Theory’s ambition of becoming the global number one brand. You will take on meaningful responsibility in one of our U.S. stores, learning how to lead across sales and inventory planning, visual merchandising, profit and loss, people leadership, and customer experience. Along the way, you will be supported by a passionate, diverse community of peers and partner closely with executive leadership, retail leaders, and corporate teams committed to developing future leaders.
As a TMC, you help bring our mission to life—elevating every customer's wardrobe with the style, energy, and vibrancy of New York City. Under the guidance of your store leadership, you will lead your team to deliver exceptional service that inspires everyday confidence and helps customers make their mark. You embody our purpose of harnessing the power of clothes to change the world, championing conscious design and a culture of creativity, collaboration, and community—turning our promise into an invitation for every customer to answer one question: How will you make your mark?
Anticipated Career Path
After successful completion of the training program, TMCs are placed in a store with an available opening. This role is designed to develop future business leaders; candidates should be prepared to relocate. The potential developmental career path of TMCs is as follows*:
Year 1
- Engage in hands-on mentorship with Area Managers, Store Managers or our Corporate training team.
- Attend workshops on leadership, retail strategy, and visual merchandising.
- Direct sessions with executive leadership.
- Participation in monthly business calls and seasonal product reviews.
Year 2 & 3
- Placed in role as an Assistant Store Manager with career progression to Store Manager based on performance.
- Travel to global and regional leadership conferences.
- Continued development and engagement opportunities including, but not limited to, on the job training, direct sessions with executive leadership, and product workshops.
*Career progression is contingent on performance evaluations at identified times throughout the program. You will receive coaching and feedback with progression checkpoints to prepare for evaluations.
Key Responsibilities and Duties
Customer Experience
- Continuously seek to enhance customer journey, provide expert knowledge of brand history, product and Theory for Good commitments.
- Function with the mindset of building a store that is tied to the local community.
- Propose events/incentives that will continue to grow the customer base.
- Empower the team to make decisions in the customer’s best interest that also support the Company’s philosophy of having a Business Leader mindset.
Commercial Business Acumen
- Demonstrate strong business acumen through KPI’s; partnering with the store leader to develop and support business driving strategies inclusive of analyzing available sales reports and data.
- In partnership with the store leader, partner with allocation and merchandising teams to ensure appropriate assortment for the store.
- Implement tactics to manage and maintain an effective P&L strategy, including controlling store expenses and maintaining budgets, continually striving to reduce costs.
Leadership
- Partner with the store leader to develop dynamic and high-performing teams through identified competencies, to achieve store and company goals, and drive individual growth and accountability.
- Support the store leader with recruiting, interviewing, training, and developing staff ensuring all positions are filled in a timely manner with qualified personnel.
- Promote professionalism and effective communication ensuring that the company values are evidenced.
- Responsible for managing and promoting a positive working environment, health and safety, and escalating where necessary.
Store Operations
- Ensure all front and back of house procedures are understood and executed by the team in accordance with company Policy and Procedures inclusive of opening and closing procedures.
- In partnership with the store leader, effectively manage the store daily schedule, working to ensure that the team is scheduled to maximize profitability while maintaining payroll budgets.
- In partnership with the store leader, monitor the movement of all inventory and ensure that the team adheres to all Shipping/receiving policies and procedures.
- Support, promote and assume responsibility for loss prevention in all areas of risk management, physical security, store cash controls, inventory management, and inter-store communication.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree (open to all majors).
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship now and in the future.
- Flexibility to relocate to various locations, both regionally and globally, over the course of your training and career.
- Flexible work schedule, which could include early mornings, late nights, weekends and holidays.
- Analytical and intuitive mindset to drive innovative processes and compliance with various laws that impact the business.
- Passion for customer service and team player mentality.
- Dynamic interpersonal and communications skills, both verbal and written.
- Highly- motivated by driving business in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
- Business owner mindset with an entrepreneurial spirit; able to confidently make and suggest solutions, driving change where appropriate.
- Independent work ethic, time management skills, and personal accountability.
- Resilient with demonstrable experience of displaying positivity when faced with challenges.
General Benefits
- Relocation assistance will be provided
- Competitive paid time off package
- Engagement events
- Clothing allowance and merchandise discount
- 401K plan
- Medical, dental, vision coverage, and flexible spending account
- Short and long term disability
- Employee assistance program
Start: January 2027
Program Duration: Approximately 3 Years
Salary Range: $72,000-$80,000
Current Locations: New York, California, Florida
Relocation, housing costs, and all other benefits listed below are subject to company policy. When applying, please list your preferred location.