Program/Operations Manager

DESCRIPTION:

Located in Naperville, IL, ABC Climbing Academy is a unique climbing facility for kids only.

Fostering foundational climbing experiences for preschoolers, leading developmental climbing experiences for kids, coaching competitive climbing experiences for athletes and guiding outdoor climbing experiences for families.

We’re here to share unique climbing experiences with kids and families while developing the next generation of youth climbers.

Really good climbers, really great kids.

Operations Director SUMMARY OF POSITION:

The Programming & Operations Director works closely with the Executive Team and Leadership Team to lead, support, develop and inspire a robust team of ABC Climbing Academy employees and a diverse community of ABC children and families. The Director proactively manages ABC operations via facility and instructional staff to ensure a positive experience for the ABC community of  while cultivating a healthy company culture.

The Programming & Operations Director works closely with the Head Coach,Climbing Instructors, and the company Leadership Team to lead, mentor, develop and inspire a talented staff of ABC Kids Instructors, a robust climbing team of ABC youth athletes and a diverse community of ABC children and families. The Program Director proactively oversees, organizes, trains, and supports Foundational and Exploratory team tracks. This person also instills, upholds, and evolves ABC Kids training plans, curriculums, philosophies, principles, and standards while personifying a healthy climbing program and company culture. Initial priorities include tending to parents, coaches and athletes, organizing and developing program resources, and focusing on athlete/student growth and retention.

Operations/Program Director QUALIFICATIONS:

We’re seeking a team member who’s eager to direct the operations of the facility and manage future growth initiatives while being an integral leader and contributor to a collaborative team. At the same time, the Operations/Program director plans and executes the tasks independently. Proven success in managing a team in an evolving business environment with the ability to balance big-picture thinking with day-to-day execution. We’re seeking a balance of strong leadership and organizational skills, cordial customer experience capability, and proven administrative experience.

We’re seeking an experienced youth program director and proven collaborative leader who is on a mission to meaningfully and positively impact the next generation of youth climbing athletes, families, and coaches. Leading an organized, inclusive, productive and enjoyable training environment for youth athletes, the ideal candidate will guide, nurture, support, and train young climbers and coaches toward camaraderie, performance/goal management, responsible stewardship and a lifelong path of climbing options.

Programs/Operations Director QUALIFYING TALENT:

Leadership and Management Experience: leading a staff and managing multiple facility operations
Posses previous experience as a head coach, coach, leader, supervisor, or mentor of a developmental/competitive youth climbing program
Superior Organizational performance (decision-making)
Engaging communication skills, effective time management and efficient multi-tasking self-starter
Team player with a positive attitude and strong attention to detail
Creative problem solver willing to learn and adapt in an evolving, fast-paced business environment
Understanding of general CMS, POS and collaborative platforms, including Google Workspace
History leading a staff, experience in climbing gym operations management and a passion for fostering youth climbing experiences is a plus
Design, plan, and implement business strategies, plans and procedures
Manage broad goals for business growth and success
Create policies and procedures that promote company culture and vision
Analyze and interpret data, metrics and budgets
Generate management and operations reports for the executive team
Maintain healthy relationships with vendors and partners
Short-term and long-term retail concept development
Assess and educate on injury prevention and risks related to indoor and competitive climbing
Effectively ‘read’ and communicate modern climbing movements, skills, and techniques specific to high-level competitive climbing
Individual, small, and large group coordination and training experience in a practice and competition setting
Background in coaching the three competitive disciplines of Speed, Lead, and Bouldering is a plus.
Current USAC certification preferred
Passion for sharing experiences and knowledge with coaches and youth athletes
Provides a welcoming and inclusive space for all races, religious beliefs, sexual orientations and identities
Operations Director RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leads, manages and directs ABC Climbing Academy Operational team – assessments, classes, practices, private training sessions, training camps and competitions in accordance with Team ABC coaching philosophies and protocols
Lead Team ABC operations, standards and procedures in accordance with ABC, PCA, CWA, SafeSport and USAC guidelines
Optimize, innovate, and implement Team ABC coach and program schedules, curriculums, training plans, and goals
Implement, uphold and evolve the youth behavioral code of conduct
Contribute to consistent ABC athlete/parent communication
Has a complete understanding of the ABC program track – clearly communicating current and future ABC program options
Represent the ABC organization as a responsible steward of youth climbing
Research and convey past, present and future industry youth studies/trends related to physical, mental and social health and well-being
Maintain, direct and oversee facility operations throughout the following departments: Facility, Routesetting, Indoor Program and Customer Experience.
Leads by example
Has a complete understanding of ABC Kids programs, groups and events – clearly communicating current and future program options and youth tracking paths
Develop and nurture positive relations with the ABC community of kids, parents and families.
Ability to build, lead, support and motivate a high-performance team
Embodies the mission, vision and values with the ability to foster a healthy culture
A passionate individual who is eager to integrate and maintain the local climbing community
Ensure social media platforms are managed and maintained
Programs/Operations Director REQUIREMENTS:

Excellent leadership, communication and customer experience skills
Strong collaborator with the ability to develop and mentor a robust staff
Ability to real-time problem solve while handling challenging situations with sound judgment
Passionate, enthusiastic and amicable while effectively balancing staff rapport with accountability
Personifies the ABC culture
Understanding of digital collaborative platforms, including Google Workspace
Flexibility to work weekday evenings along with various weekends, events, and travel
Approachable, enthusiastic and amicable while responsibly and effectively balancing coach, athlete and parent rapport
Knowledge and ability to coach all Team ABC programs
Convey climbing movement, technique and coordination along with strategic, physical, and mental processes
On a mission to meaningfully and positively impact the next generation of youth climbing coaches, athletes, and families