JOBS: Climbing Wall Manager Wanted - Wycombe

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danielleHS 27 Aug 2019
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We are seeking a Climbing Wall Manager to help lead our team of instructors at our Wycombe climbing wall, located within the Places for People Wycombe Leisure Centre. This will be a full time position with a schedule mainly spread across afternoons, evenings and weekends.

From our regular routesetting to our Adult Rock Up (which delivers coaching in a format open to, and designed for, climbers at all levels) the team have put a huge amount of effort into making this not only a great place to climb but simply a great place to be.

The future is bright for the grassroots of climbing and we intend to use climbings Olympic status to it's maximum effect to get as many young people excited about climbing as possible. Our progressive youth programme and developmental sessions offers ages 4+ the chance to learn the basics and grow climbing skills in a sociable club environment.

We believe Everyone Can Climb, which makes our sessions as diverse as the people attending them. As well as fast paced, high energy sessions like birthday parties and tasters we deliver low ratio private introductions to rock climbing and cater for local schools and groups, including para climbing.

Success in this role is dependent on becoming the keystone of the community of climbers, instructors and families for whom our climbing wall is a big part of life. You’ll need to quickly build strong relationships with existing customers and first time climbers alike to keep our customer’s passion for our climbing wall strong. This is a hands on role where you will be expected to spend large amounts of your time customer facing, with the occasional spot of instructing and coaching.

This role means taking overall responsibility for the financial performance of the climbing wall, as well as the quality and safety of climbing delivered. You will continuously look for opportunities to improve the performance of the site and how climbing is offered.

30-40 hours per week

Salary up to £20,000

Click to apply

 Oceanrower 27 Aug 2019
In reply to danielleHS:

I'll admit I've only done back of fag packet calculations but is that really less than £10/hour to run the place? My local Aldi is (genuinely) offering more than that for store attendants!

Post edited at 17:19
 steve taylor 29 Aug 2019
In reply to Oceanrower:

"This role means taking overall responsibility for the financial performance of the climbing wall, as well as the quality and safety of climbing delivered. You will continuously look for opportunities to improve the performance of the site and how climbing is offered."

So the successful candidate will be the one in the dock if anything goes wrong? For less than a tenner an hour (if the maximum salary is achieved)?

Plus average 1-bed rent in the area is about £800 a month, so that would be about half your salary gone already...

No thanks - that's not really a living wage in that part of the world.

PS - I love that users are able to respond to this sort of advert...

 BrendanO 17 Sep 2019
In reply to danielleHS:

That's embarrassingly low pay.

However, their parents can proudly tell the neighbours their child is a manager.

Actually, on the positive side, points to the OP for at least stating the salary - I have moaned before at jobs that have no number attached - that's very sharp practice indeed, so well-done here, even if it's incredibly low.

 RockHopper07 22 Sep 2019
In reply to danielleHS:

Indeed, from experience any wall that is offering it's senior staff / management that sort of pay shows a complete lack of knowledge of the current climbing industry. Looks like a box ticking facility that the council can show off. Nonetheless, it's still a great opportunity to introduce more people to climbing. I would use this opportunity to gain some basic management experience then move on within 1 year maximum. That sort of pay is ridiculous and an insult to the actual hard work and dedication that it takes to run a climbing wall not to mention the level of responsibility on ones shoulders should anything go wrong. 

Post edited at 19:27
 Danbow73 25 Sep 2019
In reply to RockHopper07:

Hi, as an employee of this company I'd just like to highlight a few things about the role as there's been a few negative comments.

The wall manager is always supported by a duty manager who is in overall charge of the leisure centre and supported by both a local and national team to achieve the commercial aims. They also report into the operations manager and the senior leadership team who are ultimately responsible for the safety of the centre as well as having a central climbing support manager who is on and to provide specialist assistance across all our sites.

Speaking personally, as someone working in industry I wish salaries were higher, but they aren't and a quick look across the advertised jobs shows the comparability of the advertised wage (if the wage is stated at all); particularly when you take into consideration the size of the site and that you are never left in charge of the building.

I don't believe my pay is an 'insult'. The flexibility and the support for my personal development they have offered is also the best of any company I have worked for and means I can have the lifestyle that I enjoy (I spend a lot of time out climbing & working towards my MCI) and do a job that I thoroughly enjoy. For example one member of my team joined us unqualified and now has CWI,CWIAA, CWDI and foundation coach all achieved in less than 1.5 years. The instructor in question has worked hard but also could not have done it without the support the company has provided. 

Our Centres are obviously not the huge dedicated walls but local community facilities which introduce people that have never considered climbing before into the sport. We use a lot of professional setters with a high turnover of routes to keep things fresh and make best use of the smaller wall space we have than the bigger facilities. Why not come and see what we have to offer  

 

 RockHopper07 11 Oct 2019
In reply to Danbow73:

Couldn't agree more it is indeed a great way to introduce the local community to climbing that is certainly not disputable and no doubt routes are changed regularly.  I am speaking from experience of over 13 years managing climbing walls and have indeed managed a wall with the exact same set up as this one and was still on a higher salary. Investment in staff training/qualification (CWI,CWIAA,CWDI, Foundation Coach)  is a standard part of a staff members CPD and does not justify lower wages.  - 

"This role means taking overall responsibility for the financial performance of the climbing wall, as well as the quality and safety of climbing delivered. You will continuously look for opportunities to improve the performance of the site and how climbing is offered."

The salary simply does not reflect the level of responsibility associated with the job role that has been advertised. A salary that would potentially equate to £800 (after tax) pcm and hints at the leisure companies lack of knowledge of current climbing industry standards which for anyone seeking a job a at centre management level (as advertised) should be a red flag. 

I am sure the wall is fantastic and is thoroughly enjoyed by all! 

Post edited at 06:58

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