Program Manager

Climbing Business Journal; West Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement savings plan

Generous paid time off package

Paid parental leave

Free Bouldering Project membership for

Discounts on gear, merchandise, and Lp

Job summary

Bouldering Project in Minneapolis and St. Paul is seeking a hands-on leader to develop youth programming, mixing climbing, games, and learning experiences for children across locations.

The role involves hiring, scheduling, staff supervision, and cross-functional coordination with operations, marketing, and leadership to ensure high-quality programs and safe operations.

Qualifications

• 2+ years leadership experience.
• Experience supervising 15+ staff is helpful.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace (Google Suite) desirable.
• Basic understanding of accounting principles.

Responsibilities

• Develop and enhance youth programming with clubs, camps, and parties.
• Hire candidates and advise on selections with management input.
• Coordinate communication with participants, caregivers, staff, and instructors.
• Oversee Youth Program activities and supervise staff.
• Collaborate on staffing, scheduling, and staff development with managers.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Staff coordination

Communication

Tools

Google Suite

Job description

About Bouldering Project

Bouldering Project is more than a climbing gym—we’re a community. We’re driven by a shared belief: that climbing, movement, and connection should be accessible to everyone. From first-timers to seasoned climbers, families to fitness enthusiasts, and our own teammates—we create inclusive, inspiring spaces where people move, grow, and belong. With world-class climbing, yoga and fitness offerings, and welcoming community spaces, we’re proud to serve nine markets across the U.S.—and we’re just getting started.

Description

About Bouldering Project

Bouldering Project is more than a climbing gym—we’re a community. We’re driven by a shared belief: that climbing, movement, and connection should be accessible to everyone. From first-timers to seasoned climbers, families to fitness enthusiasts, and our own teammates—we create inclusive, inspiring spaces where people move, grow, and belong. With world-class climbing, yoga and fitness offerings, and welcoming community spaces, we’re proud to serve nine markets across the U.S.—and we’re just getting started.

About The Role

Programs at Bouldering Project empower participants to embrace growth, develop climbing skills and gain community and connection. We believe in building creative curriculums that are a combination of climbing, fun, and games. BP believes that climbing is for everyone and works tirelessly to maintain a supportive environment for all participants.

This role will manage both the Minneapolis and St. Paul Bouldering Project locations.

What You’ll Do

Program Development and Direction

• Initiate continued development of fun and innovative programming and curricula for children that includes clubs, camps, birthday parties.
• Participate in hiring by interviewing candidates and making recommendations on selection. While final decisions are made in consultation with the management team, your recommendations are given particular weight.
• Communicate with participants, caregivers, staff, and instructors to ensure program quality.
• Oversee and supervise Youth Program activities.
• Attend session starts and debrief courses with the General Manager in weekly meetings to ensure program quality and to support staff development.

Staff Management

• Collaborate with Operations Manager to schedule staff via organized, economical, and efficient staffing systems.
• Maintain employee motivation and job satisfaction via dynamic leadership and support, both individually and through our Programs Leads.
• Communicate with staff to understand availability and share scheduling.
• Maintain discipline and professionalism among staff.
• Ensure staff quality by leading and participating in assessment and evaluation.
• Develop Programs Leads through the delegation of appropriate tasks and responsibilities.
• Communicate with managers and staff, as needed, to ensure staff quality.

Logistics

• Develop and maintain organized, clean, and efficient logistics, registration, and payment systems.
• Ensure that facilities and equipment remain clean, functioning, and high quality while maintaining a forecasted budget.
• Introduce and maintain staff support tools.

Risk Management

• Serve as staff lead (with General Manager and key staff) to support Risk Management in Youth Programs.
• Support incident reporting and reviews, safety reviews, emergency scenarios, and policy-writing.
• Act as Incident Commander in an emergency.
• Ensure all programs have sufficient emergency support through systems and notification sequences.

Marketing

• Collaborate with the Sr Marketing Manager & General Manager to align and implement marketing strategies.
• Collaborate with colleagues in building relationships with industry contacts and companies for events and opportunities.

Other Duties

• Manage participant-initiated groups and events at BP including birthday parties and youth groups.
• Occasionally serve as Operations Specialist, Instructor, Program Staff, or other roles as needed.
• Other duties as assigned by the leadership team.

Management Team

• As a member of the local management team, collaborate cross-functionally with other department managers on decisions that impact staffing, discipline, program quality, the community, and the gym.
• Work with each department to support one another and create the best experience for all users.
• Partner with the Head Setter to maintain appropriate climbing in our dedicated youth climbing areas.

Requirements

What You’ll Bring

Required Qualifications

• 2+ years leadership experience
• Additional leadership experience working with a team of 15+ staff members is helpful
• Proficiency in Google Suite
• A basic understanding of accounting principles

Working at Bouldering Project

At Bouldering Project, we aim to cultivate excitement for movement, belonging, and community. We lead by example—making our spaces and offerings accessible and welcoming to all. Our core values—Inclusive, Quality-Obsessed, Local at the Core, and Growth-Oriented—are expected to be demonstrated in both leadership and daily operations. These values guide how we build community, deliver exceptional experiences, and continually evolve together.

This role may require a flexible schedule, including availability during evenings, weekends, or outside standard business hours depending on programming and business needs.

Compensation & Benefits

This is a full-time position. Compensation is based on experience and local market benchmarks. Full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits and perks:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Generous paid time off package
• Paid parental leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Free Bouldering Project membership for you and a plus one
• Discounts on gear, merchandise, and local retail partners
• A joyful, supportive, and respectful work culture