About the role#
This is a paid, 40-hour per week, hands-on training program designed to prepare you for store leadership. As a Store Executive Intern, you gain a realistic preview of the Executive Team Leader role. You will work closely with managers and team members to understand retail operations and develop management skills. This program focuses on leading teams, identifying store priorities, and delivering service to guests.
What you'll do#
- Lead a retail team within a Target store.
- Drive guest experience and impact the store's financial and operational performance.
- Manage a team of hourly employees and team leaders.
- Engage with guests and provide exceptional service.
- Address team member concerns and remove operational hurdles to ensure goals are met.
- Partner with an Executive Team Lead mentor to learn department leadership.
- Present at daily huddles and plan daily goals.
- Recruit and manage talent while teaching, coaching, and providing performance feedback.
- Review business reporting and guest insights to troubleshoot and follow up on opportunities.
- Handle merchandise, climb ladders, and operate store technology and cash registers.
What you'll need#
- Strong interest in retail management.
- Leadership skills and a team-oriented mindset.
- Effective communication skills.
- Ability to learn and adapt to current technology needs.
- Capacity to work independently and manage a workload.
- Previous retail experience is preferred but not required.
- Ability to lift or move merchandise up to 44 pounds.
- Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Pursuing a degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Human Resources, Communications, or Psychology.
Location & details#
- Term: Summer 2027.
- Modality: On-site.
- Locations: San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Goleta, Santa Barbara, and Santa Maria, California.
- Employment type: Full-time.
How to get in at Target
Intern Insider's per-company playbook.
Applying early is a distinct advantage at a large retailer like Target, as recruiters often review applications as they arrive. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, helping you get your materials in before the pile grows. You can use this lead time to ensure your application is polished and ready. Reaching out to the right person often yields better results than submitting to a general queue. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company roles so you can reach out directly to ask about the position or a referral. This approach materially improves your response rates compared to standard cold applications.
