About the job
Kong Adventure is a busy climbing centre based in Keswick in the heart of The Lake District. The centre boasts 35 lead climbing lines up to 12 metres with 8 auto-belay lines and an indoor bouldering area. It also houses a Krazy Kong section aimed at children which has 10 auto-belay lines. As well as the climbing facilities, the centre also runs a successful escape room – Mountain Mayhem – and a thriving hard play and café area. Downstairs below the café, we have a large retail shop which specialises in climbing, running and outdoor equipment. We also run several outdoor activities including ghyll scrambling, outdoor climbing, paddle boarding and hill walking. We also run a successful events business and organise several races a year around the local area – these are predominantly fell races.
Role Description
This is a full‑time on‑site role in Keswick for a Climbing Centre Manager. The responsibilities include managing day‑to‑day operations of the climbing centre, overseeing staff and their schedules, ensuring safety protocols are followed, and maintaining high standards of customer service. The role also involves organising climbing events, managing memberships, monitoring equipment maintenance, and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
Ultimately the centre manager will be managing all aspects of the business, the centre's daily operations, supporting your team, training, coaching, financials, and procurement. You will need to have a flair that rubs off on our team and be willing to get stuck in.
Leadership and Staff Management
* Leading, motivating, coaching, and developing a team of staff, including front‑of‑house, café, instructing, and route‑setting personnel.
* Ensuring appropriate staffing levels and managing schedules, training, performance, and development.
* Fostering a positive, welcoming, vibrant and inclusive work culture that promotes teamwork and professionalism.
Operational Management
* Overseeing all daily operations, including managing the climbing walls, bouldering areas, café, and escape room along with the outdoor activities of outside climbing, Ghyll Scrambling, hill walking and paddle boarding.
* Ensuring the facility maintains the highest standards of cleanliness, safety, and equipment maintenance.
* Maintaining and reviewing health and safety procedures and risk assessments, and ensuring staff compliance.
* Acting as keyholder for the facility and responding to emergencies or incidents according to established protocols.
* Managing stock, ordering supplies, and overseeing the proper functioning of equipment like auto‑belay devices.
Customer Service and Community Engagement
* Delivering exceptional customer service, handling enquiries, and resolving complaints.
* Attracting and retaining loyal customers, including managing memberships and maximizing in‑centre sales.
* Building relationships with the local community, promoting the centre, and organising events, competitions, and special activities.
Business Development and Financial Management
* Managing budgets, analysing financial performance, and ensuring the financial sustainability of the centre.
* Identifying opportunities for business growth and contributing to marketing strategies.
* Working with management teams to implement company policies and strategic goals.
* Strong leadership and people management skills.
* Excellent customer service and communication skills.
* Organisational and time management abilities.
* Problem‑solving and decision‑making skills under pressure.
* Knowledge of health and safety procedures and climbing industry standards.
* Computer literacy and familiarity with relevant software (e.g., POS systems).
Qualifications
* Experience in team management, staff scheduling, and leadership skills.
* Knowledge of climbing safety protocols, equipment maintenance, and climbing operations.
* Strong customer service and interpersonal communication skills.
* Organisational and administrative skills; including experience in handling memberships or event planning.
* Ability to manage budgets and prepare reports.
* Flexibility to work weekends, evenings, and public holidays as required.
* Qualifications or certifications in climbing instruction or safety are a plus.
Hours, pay and perks
* 40 hours per week.
* Starting salary negotiable depending on experience starting from £30,000.
* Shifts include daytime, evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
* Continuous support towards training and courses.
* 28 days holiday per year.
* Please send in your CV to paul@climbingwall.co.uk.
Seniority level
Mid‑Senior level
Employment type
Full‑time
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