Centre Manager position – Kong Adventure Keswick – December 2022

Job Specification:

Kong Adventure is a climbing centre based in the heart of Keswick. The centre boasts 35 lead climbing lines up to 12 metres with 4 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 retail shop which sells climbing, running and outdoor swimming equipment. We also run a successful events business and organise 15 races a year around the local area – these are predominantly fell races. We also have another business based in Threlkeld which manufactures Climbing walls – King Kong Climbing Walls.

The role of Centre Manager is offered with a start date in December or as soon as possible thereafter. As centre manager, you would be in charge of the climbing centre staff team which currently employs 3 full time staff plus 3 part time instructors and café weekend staff. Your role is central to the effective smooth running of the climbing centre. You will be managing the reception, café and escape room as well as the climbing area.

You will be expected to work at least 42 hours a week and to work weekends. The centre is open from 9.30am to 9.30pm through the week so some of your hours will be during the evening.

Salary - £26,000 per annum but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.

Essential skills:

• Experience of managing a group of people successfully and leading a team.
• High level of IT proficiency – You will be expected to manage our online booking system, update and manage our website and keep all our social media feeds updated regularly.
• Excellent level of customer service and communication skills - You will be expected to respond to all communications from customers; email, phone, or face to face and to treat all customers with understanding, fairness and courtesy.
• High level of organisational skills – You will be expected to organise the day to day running of the centre, managing the bookings and facilitating staff to run sessions, ensuring a high level of customer satisfaction.
• Awareness and initiative – You must be able to react quickly to any problems and deal with them in a calm and efficient manner.
• Passionate about the outdoors, particularly climbing and promoting healthy lifestyles.
• Up to date knowledge of climbing safety techniques including rescue procedures and associated guidelines for safe practice demonstrated by instructor training or relevant climbing experience.
• Vision – we need someone who can build on our successful business and capitalise on our facilities and expertise among the staff.
• Experience of working in the outdoor industry
• Full, clean driving licence.

Desirable skills:

• Climbing qualifications – SPA, NICAS, summer MLC or above.
• Experience in route setting.
• Water sports qualifications – paddle board instructor, Canoeing and kayaking and expertise at leading ghyll scrambling.
• Up to date relevant first aid qualification.

Staff benefits:

• Free climbing in Kong Adventure
• Discount given on all shop stock

Applicants are asked to fill in the application form here and return to lou@kongadventure.com and  provide evidence in the supporting statement box to demonstrate how they meet the above criteria

Interview date: TBC

Deadline for applications: Sunday November 20th