Youth Programs & Competitive Team Director

Central Rock Gym; Georgia; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Rock Gym in Georgia is seeking a Director of Youth Programs and Competitive Team to lead all youth climbing initiatives, develop curricula, and guide coaching staff. You will manage seasonal programming, scheduling, and parent communications, while upholding safety and a culture of growth.

The role requires strong leadership, 4+ years of climbing experience, and a passion for athlete development across recreational and competitive teams.

Qualifications

• Previous experience coaching or working with youth in climbing, outdoor recreation, education, or adventure-based programs.
• Demonstrated experience coaching competitive youth climbers.
• Minimum of four (4) years of climbing experience.
• Proficiency in top rope and lead climbing and belaying and instruction.
• Strong understanding of climbing movement, technique, and athlete development.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and behavior management skills.
• Ability to analyze movement and provide clear, constructive coaching feedback.
• Ability to support youth and teenage athletes in a structured, high- expectation training environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop, oversee, and evaluate all youth programming, including recreational classes, developmental teams, camps, and competitive teams.
• Collaborate with the General Manager to establish seasonal programming schedules, staffing plans, and pricing.
• Recruit, hire, onboard, train, mentor, and evaluate youth coaching staff.
• Create and implement age-appropriate curriculum and structured training plans for all youth programs.
• Maintain consistent communication with parents regarding program updates, athlete progress, scheduling, and expectations.
• Ensure compliance with all Department of Health (DOH), SafeSport, and organizational policies and procedures.
• Foster a welcoming, inclusive, and positive environment that reflects the values of community, grit, and growth.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.
• Lead recreational classes, team practices, and competitive training sessions with confidence and professionalism.
• Design and implement structured, progressive training programs for competitive athletes.
• Evaluate athlete movement and performance, providing individualized coaching and technical feedback.
• Support athletes through local, regional, and national competitions as needed.
• Guide athletes in goal setting, skill progression, and competition preparation.
• Provide mentorship and support for youth and teenage athletes in a positive, challenging, and emotionally supportive training environment.
• Collaborate with coaching staff to ensure consistency in programming, athlete development, and communication.
• Uphold and model the CRG Coaches' Code of Conduct at all times.

Skills

Youth coaching

Leadership

Curriculum design

Staff development

Communication

SafeSport

Program management

Competition coaching

Job description

Summary

The Youth Programs & Competitive Team Director provides strategic leadership and hands-on coaching for all youth climbing programs, including recreational classes, developmental teams, and competitive athletes. This role is responsible for creating a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment where climbers of all ages and abilities can develop confidence, technical skills, and a lifelong passion for climbing.

The Director oversees seasonal programming, curriculum development, staff hiring and training, scheduling, parent communication, and competitive team operations. They lead by example through exceptional coaching, foster a culture centered on community, grit, and growth, and ensure all youth programming reflects CRG's commitment to safety, athlete development, and exceptional member experiences.

Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Administration

• Develop, oversee, and evaluate all youth programming, including recreational classes, developmental teams, camps, and competitive teams.


• Collaborate with the General Manager to establish seasonal programming schedules, staffing plans, and pricing.


• Recruit, hire, onboard, train, mentor, and evaluate youth coaching staff.


• Create and implement age-appropriate curriculum and structured training plans for all youth programs.


• Maintain consistent communication with parents regarding program updates, athlete progress, scheduling, and expectations.


• Ensure compliance with all Department of Health (DOH), SafeSport, and organizational policies and procedures.


• Foster a welcoming, inclusive, and positive environment that reflects the values of community, grit, and growth.


• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Coaching & Athlete Development

• Lead recreational classes, team practices, and competitive training sessions with confidence and professionalism.


• Design and implement structured, progressive training programs for competitive athletes.


• Evaluate athlete movement and performance, providing individualized coaching and technical feedback.


• Support athletes through local, regional, and national competitions as needed.


• Guide athletes in goal setting, skill progression, and competition preparation.


• Provide mentorship and support for youth and teenage athletes in a positive, challenging, and emotionally supportive training environment.


• Collaborate with coaching staff to ensure consistency in programming, athlete development, and communication.


• Uphold and model the CRG Coaches' Code of Conduct at all times.

Required Qualifications

• Previous experience coaching or working with youth in climbing, outdoor recreation, education, or adventure-based programs.


• Demonstrated experience coaching competitive youth climbers.


• Minimum of four (4) years of climbing experience.


• Proficiency in top rope and lead climbing and belaying and instruction.


• Strong understanding of climbing movement, technique, and athlete development.


• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.


• Strong leadership, organizational, and behavior management skills.


• Ability to analyze movement and provide clear, constructive coaching feedback.


• Ability to support youth and teenage athletes in a structured, high- expectation training environment.


• Availability to work weekday afternoons, evenings, weekends, and competitions as required.


• Completion of, or willingness to complete, SafeSport training and maintain all required certifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• USA Climbing competition experience as an athlete and/or coach.


• Strong knowledge of USA Climbing rules, competition formats, and athlete development pathways.


• Experience designing long-term athlete development and seasonal training plans.


• Experience training, mentoring, and supervising coaching staff.


• Creative and engaging teaching style with the ability to adapt instruction for a variety of ages and skill levels.


• Passion for growing youth participation in climbing and fostering a positive team culture.


• Commitment to long-term professional growth and continuous improvement as a coach and leader.