Climbing Program Manager - 141803

UC San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 57,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego’s Recreation Department seeks a Climbing Wall Program Manager to lead the climbing wall programs, oversee facility operations, and maintain safety and service standards. The role involves directing staff, designing recreational experiences, and coordinating with other campus teams for events and budgets.

The position requires substantial initiative, strong leadership, and expertise in route setting, safety protocols, and program evaluation to deliver inclusive, high‑quality

Qualifications

• Experience designing and leading recreational programs.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills across diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and direct staff.
• Knowledge of risk management policies and safety standards in recreation.
• Experience with climbing wall operations and route setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee climbing wall operations, safety, and facility maintenance.
• Lead staff recruitment, training, scheduling, and performance management.
• Develop programs, events and budgets aligned with department goals.
• Collaborate with internal teams (Marketing, Fiscal, Operations) for programs and events.
• Respond to emergencies and implement safety procedures as needed.

Skills

Customer service

Leadership

Program development

Risk management

Staff supervision

Communication

Budgeting

Emergency response

Facilities operations

Staff training

Job description

DESCRIPTION

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 10/21/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

The Climbing Wall Program Manager is an experienced leader overseeing large, complex and diverse non-credit recreational or sports program(s). Designs, creates, implements and instructs recreational experiences and programs for participants of all ages. Requires considerable discretion, initiative and independence to resolve issues and perform related duties as assigned.

The Climbing Wall Program Manager provides strategic and operational leadership for all climbing wall operations, including facility management, risk management, route setting, participant skill assessment, staff supervision, policy development and implementation, and continuous improvement of programs and services. This position serves as the professional staff member who oversees the operation of the climbing wall and climbing programs, ensuring safe, inclusive, and welcoming experiences and facilities for patrons including program and event participants, while supervising student staff, responding to emergencies, and maintaining service standards. Manages program schedules for facility usage and with other department and university activities. Works in close collaboration with Recreation's Experience team, Operations, Events, Marketing/Communications and Fiscal teams.

The Climbing Wall Program Manager develops programmatic and budgetary recommendations; monitors operating expenditures; manages equipment replacement planning, inventory control, and the responsible stewardship of departmental resources; and directs all risk management components of the Climbing Wall. Collaborates with the Marketing Director to support communication strategies that promote climbing programs, services, and special events. Evaluates program effectiveness through participation trends, operational assessments, customer feedback, and industry benchmarking, recommending improvements that support departmental goals and enhance the participant experience.

The Climbing Wall Program Manager provides work direction and supervision for staff. Develops job requirements, oversees recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, performance management, and leadership development of climbing wall student employees. Provide leadership and assistance at Recreation Department special events and activities and makes presentations to groups on campus to promote the Climbing Wall and Recreation Department, as needed.

The Climbing Wall Program Manager position requires high angle safety, route setting and climbing expertise, strong judgment, discretion, and initiative in a dynamic, participant-facing environment.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Client service focused, entrepreneurial spirit and creative thinking skills to resolve non-standard issues. Proven ability to plan and implement program activities and special events. Creativity and perseverance in initiating, implementing and completing activities.
• Highly effective verbal and written communication skills in the English language. Excellent interpersonal skills, including demonstrated ability to appropriately exercise independent judgment, initiative, tact, diplomacy and patience, and to successfully interact with diverse student, staff, academic and public populations, on the telephone and in person.
• Strong proficiency in the use of basic computer applications relevant to job duties.
• Thorough knowledge of campus policies and procedures. Knowledge of campus and department risk management policies as they relate to climbing wall programs.
• Thorough knowledge of program activity and industry best practices. Thorough knowledge of climbing wall operations, curriculum development, and industry best practices. Advanced knowledge of indoor climbing facility operations, route setting principles, climbing instruction, technical rescue procedures, facility inspections, and industry risk management standards.
• Skills to develop original ideas, creative problem solving skills in a varied and challenging environment including service orientation, program management, sound judgment and decision-making, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively across the organization. Demonstrated supervisory skills, including the ability to effectively train, supervise and evaluate student employees. Demonstrated ability to transfer motivational impetus to all supervised personnel.
• Ability to work in youth camps, fitness and outdoor programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of university and department policies and procedures in the areas of student personnel, timekeeping, purchasing, equipment inventory, and business practices; ability to interpret and apply these at the program level
• Knowledge of sound financial principles; ability to manage an operation funded by and limited by student fees and membership income.
• Experience with student leadership guidance including but not limited to mentoring and developing experience in planning, budget implementation and evaluation. Ability to assess the needs of students with respect to leadership development.
• Demonstrated ability to respond to and manage medical, behavioral, and facility-related emergencies, including coordination with campus partners (e.g., Police, EH&S). Proven ability to train student staff in emergency preparedness and de-escalation techniques.
• Experience managing multi-use recreation facilities including scheduling, set-up, breakdown, equipment oversight, and troubleshooting logistical challenges in real time.
• Proficiency in developing, maintaining, and applying standard operating procedures (SOPs), reports, and assessment tools to support consistent program and facility operations.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with various departments including marketing, fiscal, operations, and risk management to support integrated recreation experiences.
• Demonstrated ability to assess program effectiveness, analyze operational data, and implement continuous quality improvement initiatives.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• This position works Onsite.
• Job Offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance of Background Check results.
• Must be available to work a flexible seasonal work schedule that involves evenings, weekends, holidays and extended hours.
• Mandated Reporter: This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter pursuant to the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and requires immediate reporting of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, or neglect of anyone under the age of 18. It is the responsibility of the Mandated Reporter to ensure that they obtain proper training in order to fulfill their reporting responsibilities as required by the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and University policy and to complete and submit the required reports to the UC San Diego Police Department without delay. Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $57,100 - $96,700 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $27.35 - $46.31

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).