Program Manager - Climbing Apply Now **How to Apply** A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position. **Job Summary** **Department Summary:** The University of Michigan's Recreational Sports Department is dedicated to fostering a healthy lifestyle through engagement, leadership, and active participation. The department manages several programs, four indoor facilities, three outdoor field complexes, and an adventure-based education center. The department plays a vital role in campus life with a team of 36 full-time staff members and over 650 student employees. Established in 1913, it is recognized as one of the pioneering collegiate recreation programs. It was the first to open a facility specifically for student recreation, the Intramural Sports Building, which debuted in 1928. Recreational Sports operates under the Division of Student Life, reporting to the Associate Vice President of Student Life for Health and Wellness. **Position Summary:** The Program Manager - Climbing reports to the Senior Assistant Director of Adventure Leadership and supervises Adventure Leadership Program Staff and Interns, Adventure Leadership Supervisors, Coordinators, and Technicians, as well as Route Setters and Clinic Instructors. This role provides overall leadership for the Climbing Program, supporting climbers of all levels in alignment with the Outdoor Program's mission to create safe, social, educational, and fun outdoor recreation experiences. The Program Manager is responsible for the daily operations and long-term growth of all climbing facilities and programming within Recreational Sports, including an 11,362 sq. ft. total surface area climbing gym featuring bouldering, top rope, lead climbing, a speed wall, rappel station, and crack climbing. Programming encompasses clinics, events, and guided outdoor rock and ice climbing trips designed to increase access to climbing for a diverse campus community. A robust weekly route-setting program and an engaged staff ensure a high-quality user experience, with the program striving to remain relevant, innovative, and aligned with industry best practices and trends. **Responsibilities*** **Program Oversight (60%):** + Ensure that Adventure Leadership provides a high-quality, inclusive program that meets the diverse needs of all participants, fostering an environment where everyone feels physically and emotionally safe and welcome, regardless of ability or background. + Manage daily operations of the Indoor Climbing Center at the Hadley Family Recreation and Well-Being Center, including open recreation hours, programming, and instruction, ensuring accessibility for all skill levels and backgrounds. + Design and implement a fee structure that balances accessibility and affordability while optimizing revenue generation, promoting participation from a broad community. + Ensure alignment with University and department safety and risk management protocols, while designing and implementing climbing-specific safety protocols that prioritize inclusivity, accessibility, and adherence to industry safety standards. + Develop and maintain a dynamic route-setting plan that ensures the climbing wall remains fresh, engaging, and challenging for all skill levels and abilities, creating an inviting atmosphere for both beginners and advanced climbers. + Create and oversee a variety of climbing classes, including introductory sessions, belay certification, skills development, and lead climbing, ensuring that offerings accommodate all experience levels. + Maintain the climbing wall and equipment, manage inventory, and implement a replacement plan and regular cleaning schedule to ensure safe, well-maintained, and accessible equipment for all participants. + Track participants' belay certifications and ensure proper, inclusive use of climbing walls, providing guidance and assistance as needed. + Oversee the climbing wall's usage and entry, including managing gear checkout and rentals, ensuring that all participants have equitable access to the resources needed for a safe and enjoyable experience. + Provide administrative support for Climbing Program registration and member management, refund processing, permitting, and reservations. + Plan, develop, and implement a comprehensive calendar of climbing clinics and programs. + Coordinate annual climbing competition(s). + Collaborate with the Senior Assistant Director on the development of the outdoor trips calendar for guided rock and ice climbing programming. + Develop and deliver summer youth climbing camps and programming. + Coordinate with the marketing team to promote Climbing Program offerings. **Staff Oversight (30%):** + Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate all Climbing Wall staff, including Supervisors, to safely staff all open hours and programming. + Provide guidance, coaching, and mentorship to student and non-student staff and ensure that direct reports represent the department in a positive way when participating in student and client group programming. + Ensure the hiring and development of student programming staff meet department needs and goals. Evaluate and provide regular feedback to direct reports. Facilitate staff orientation and program training. **Fiscal Oversight (10%):** + Ensure compliance of operations with Department, Division, and University policies. + Manage bi-weekly temporary staff payroll throughout the fiscal year, and monitor the University Work-Study Program. + Purchase and maintain inventory of equipment and gear following compliance with University Purchasing guidelines + Review and process refunds based on refund policies. + Track program statistics to assist with the overall analysis of the Recreational Sports operations and the Climbing program. **Required Qualifications*** + Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) + Minimum of 2 years experience working in a leadership capacity in climbing wall management + Minimum of 2 years experience as a climbing wall instructor + Demonstrated experience in route setting and teaching route setting + Climbing Wall Instructor Certification (or ability to obtain within 3 months of hire) + Wilderness First Aid Certification (or ability to obtain within 3 months of hire) **Desired Qualifications*** + AMGA/PCIA Single Pitch Climbing Instructor Certification + Experience in climbing gym management **Modes of Work** Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about thework modes (https://hr.umich.edu/working-u-m/my-employment/ways-we-work-resource-center/ways-we-work-implementation-group/modes-work) . **Additional Information** **Position Responsibilities Criteria:** + Demonstrated personal and professional commitment to diversity and a solid understanding of and appreciation for cultural, ethnic, and individual differences. + Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills. + Demonstrated ability to problem solve and be adaptable in a fast-paced environment. + Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and navigate change effectively. **Financial/Budgetary Responsibility:** + The position will assist with oversight, development, and administration of Adventure Leadership program budgets of $180,000. **Working Conditions:** + Evening and weekend work responsibilities, as needed; be available to provide leadership during times programs and facilities are operating; attend professional development opportunities, as assigned; other duties as assigned. **Physical Requirements:** + Ability to frequently position oneself to move or transport more than 20 lbs and to frequently ascend a climbing wall structure. **Direct Reports:** + 25 - 40 student and non-student temporary employees falling within Adventure Leadership program job classifications. This role may have reporting obligations under Title IX and Clery. Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment and applicants for this position will not be sponsored for work visas. Salary may vary depending on qualifications, experience, and education of the selected candidate. Selected candidates whose start date is 4/1/2025 or after, will not be eligible for the university FY25-26 salary/merit plan unless otherwise notified. \#studentlife **Application Deadline** Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended. **U-M EEO/AA Statement** The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. **Job Detail** **Job Opening ID** 260714 **Working Title** Program Manager - Climbing **Job Title** Cmpus Rec/Intramurals Prog Mgr **Work Location** Ann Arbor Campus Ann Arbor, MI **Modes of Work** Hybrid **Full/Part Time** Full-Time **Regular/Temporary** Regular **FLSA Status** Exempt **Organizational Group** Dsa Recreation Sport **Department** Recreational Sports Dept **Posting Begin/End Date** 2/24/2025 - 3/10/2025 **Salary** $48,200.00 - $55,400.00 **Career Interest** Academic & Student Services Apply Now