Store Executive Intern (Store Leadership Intern) – Knoxville, TN (Starting Summer 2027)

Pay

The pay range per hour is $23.25 - $24.25. Pay is based on several factors including labor markets, education, work experience, and certifications.

Benefits

Target offers eligible team members and their dependents comprehensive health benefits and programs, which may include:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance
• Life insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Employee discount
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Paid sick leave
• Paid national holidays
• Paid vacation

About the Role

This internship is a paid, 40-hour-per-week, hands-on training program designed to develop and prepare you for a store leadership role. As a Stores Executive Intern, you will gain a realistic preview of the Executive Team Leader (Assistant Store Manager) role over a defined period. You will work closely with managers and team members to understand how Target’s retail business operates and what it takes to excel in a management role.

The majority of your time will be spent leading the team, identifying and working toward store priorities, and delivering great guest service. The program is designed to teach you how to lead within a retail store, including:

• Learning how to drive guest experience and impact your store’s financial, team, and operational performance.
• Working alongside a mentor to learn effective leadership within the store.
• Stepping into leading your mentor’s departments with guidance.
• Leading and motivating a team, driving sales results, merchandising products, and providing an exceptional guest experience.
• Ongoing development conversations to prioritize your growth.
• Supporting daily operations, building culture, and guiding your team to achieve goals.

Responsibilities

• Spend time on the sales floor and in the backroom leading team members and aligning them on daily business priorities.
• Work alongside your Executive Team Lead (ETL) mentor and other leaders to understand their roles.
• Lead daily priorities such as stocking shelves, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment, building displays, and more.
• Partner with leaders to address team member performance through teaching, coaching, training, and feedback.
• Address team member concerns and remove hurdles to ensure smooth operations and goal attainment.
• Lead and present at daily huddles with the leadership team.
• Plan daily goals and organize operational plans within the store.
• Provide summaries of results and priorities to the leadership team.
• Review business reporting and guest insights to troubleshoot and follow up on opportunities.
• Deliver an exceptional guest experience by empowering team members to resolve guest issues.
• Provide new ideas and recommend solutions for business or team opportunities.
• Take initiative to learn Target’s leadership expectations and seek feedback for personal development.
• Actively participate in training activities, developmental opportunities, and events.
• Demonstrate ethical conduct, safety, and compliance, and hold others accountable.
• Work safely, identify hazards, and comply with safety policies.
• Foster an inclusive, equitable, safe, and secure culture.
• Gain an understanding of all business areas to develop business acumen.
• Greet guests, assist with their needs, and ensure a welcoming experience.

Skills

The Stores Executive Internship aims to provide a realistic preview of an Executive Team Leader (ETL) role and can help you develop the following skills:

• Guest service fundamentals and building a guest-first team culture.
• Guest engagement, problem-solving, and resolution.
• Retail business fundamentals.
• Setting and planning department workloads to support business priorities.
• Managing a team to deliver service and sales goals.
• Recruiting, selecting, and managing hourly team members and leaders.
• Creating business strategies and goals.

Qualifications

• Previous retail experience preferred but not required.
• Strong interest in working in retail store management.
• Leadership skills and team-oriented thinking.
• Ability to learn and adapt to current technology needs.
• Work independently and as part of a team.
• Manage workload and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Welcoming and helpful attitude with strong communication skills.

Requirements

• Access all areas of the building to respond to guest or team member issues.
• Interpret instructions, reports, and information accurately.
• Handle cash register operations as needed.
• Climb up and down ladders as needed.
• Scan, handle, and move merchandise efficiently and safely, including frequently lifting or moving merchandise up to 44 pounds.
• Operate handheld scanners and other technology equipment as directed.
• Flexible work schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Reliable and prompt attendance.