Director of Project Management

At Movement, our core values of partnership, inclusion, passion, innovation, and integrity are at the heart of everything we do. We’re not just a climbing gym – we’re a community that’s dedicated to transforming lives through climbing, yoga, and fitness and sharing that vision with as many people as we can. As the country’s largest network of climbing gyms, we’re building an extraordinary team that’s committed to growing our business, our value to our members, our future customers, and our industry.

By expanding our community, we can create rewarding career paths for our team members, continually improve the customer experience, build a sustainable business for the long term, and give back to the communities we are all a part of. We’re looking for passionate, resilient, and business-minded enthusiasts who share our values and want to join us in not only leading the climbing industry but defining it!

Job Overview: We are seeking a dynamic and experienced professional for the critical leadership role of Director of Project Management. This position reports to the COO and is responsible for overseeing the end-to-end process of integrating and opening gyms, as well as maintaining the necessary support resources and systems. They are responsible for supporting cross-departmental functional collaboration that supports our company’s growth through successful openings of new gyms and seamless acquisitions. In addition, when available they will support company projects.

Key Responsibilities:

1. New Gym Openings: As the project lead on any new gym openings, the Director of Project Management is responsible for the end-to-end project management, including identifying and achieving targets or KPIs, ensuring the project stays on budget and timelines and coordinating cross-department collaboration and communication. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Responsibilities:
  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive playbook for the set-up of new climbing gyms by collating information from all departments involved
  • Review and approve new gym designs for operational needs during design period
  • Oversee roll out and completion of New Gym FFE key. Track the FFE procurement process through completion and be accountable for ensuring all operational needs are in place on opening day
  • Lead teams of newly hired staff to set up material needed for operations activities in the weeks prior to new gym opening
  • Provide regular updates to senior management on the status of new gym set-up during the construction window
  • Develop and implement pre-opening marketing strategies in partnership with Sales and Marketing teams
  • Regular presence as needed leading up to and post opening: 2 days/week 3 months prior to opening and fully on site 2 weeks prior to and 2 weeks post opening to address operational and facilities issues and ensure a successful opening
• Cross-Departmental Coordination:
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including construction, facility design, operations, compliance, purchasing, and IT, to ensure that all aspects of gym set-up are coordinated and executed effectively, from climbing wall installation to member management systems
  • Supports Gym Operations to successfully open a new gym, such as key skills needed in new gym directors to open a gym, successful framework guidelines for programming and staffing structures, and executing on the operations new gym playbook
  • Ensure smooth hand-off from construction to fully operational with updates to regional leadership teams across department

2. Acquisitions Integration: As the project lead for acquisitions and integrations, the Director of Project Management is responsible cross-departmentally for ensuring the incoming businesses integrate smoothly and achieve all agreed upon targets. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• • Spearhead the integration of acquired gyms into the company, serving as the primary M&A integration manager
  • Plan and conduct Integration Team Meetings, ensuring all functional integration leaders understand their roles and responsibilities
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive Day 1 plan for smooth integration initiation
  • Help functional leaders identify key talent and facilitate transition recommendations
  • Establish and manage integration progress tracking and reporting processes
  • Support cross functional collaboration, manages interdependencies and playbook development for each business function (e.g., Operations, Sales, IT, HR, Finance, Legal) to ensure all activities are prioritized and sequenced
  • Develop and manage an integrated communication plan for employees, members, and other stakeholders, in partnership with relevant departments
  • Ensure resources and tools are provided for acquired management teams and employees on the integration process and its impacts
  • Identify, evaluate, and mitigate integration-related risks
  • Escalate issues requiring senior or executive level input for quick and effective resolution
  • Ensure all exit criteria are met before concluding the integration process
  • Capture lessons learned and develop recommendations for future acquisitions
  • Ensure smooth transition via on-site presence 30-60 days or as needed post-close. On site as needed pre-close for assessments.

3. Operational Excellence and Best Practices:

• • Identify and support implementation of best practices across the gym network and manage SharePoint resources
  • Facilitates the CapEx process with gyms in partnership with Dir of Facilities and VP of Gym Operations
  • Develop standardized operating procedures for new and existing gyms in partnership with Gym Operations other departments
  • Conduct regular audits and assessments of operations to ensure consistency and quality
  • Is up to date on current industry trends and bringing thoughtful ideas and innovations to current and new gyms

Additional Responsibilities:

• Act as a liaison between executive team and project teams
• Provide regular updates on project progress and success stories to senior leadership
• Collaborate with marketing team to develop opening strategies for new locations
• Assist in developing and refining company-wide policies and procedures
• Participate in strategic planning for future expansion and growth initiatives
• During slow integration periods, supports COO and VP Strategy in projects

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in multi-unit operations, preferably in the climbing, fitness or recreation industry
• Proven track record in project management and system and team integrations, ideally has experience in new location openings and acquisitions.
• Strong leadership and team development skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal abilities, proven track record of stakeholder management
• Excellent organization, structured and process-oriented thinker
• Proficiency in project management software and tools
• Comfortable in navigating unforeseen challenges and dynamic thinker
• Willingness to travel up to 50% of the time
• Hybrid role, based in one of Movement’s major markets with regular access to our gyms (CO, NY, DMV, CA, DFW)

Additional Information:

• Full-time, salary position
• The pay range for this position starts at $120,000 and may increase based on experience and qualifications
• Paid time off
• Health benefits and retirement plan available
• Free gym membership

Movement is an Equal Opportunity Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or marital status.