Manager, Route Setting

At Movement, our core values of growth, connection, and integrity are at the heart of everything we do. We're not just a climbing gym - we're a community that's dedicated to transforming lives through climbing, yoga, and fitness and sharing that vision with as many people as we can. As the country’s largest network of climbing gyms, we're building an extraordinary team that's committed to growing our business, our value to our members, our future customers, and our industry.

By expanding our community, we can create rewarding career paths for our team members, continually improve the customer experience, build a sustainable business for the long term, and give back to the communities we are all a part of. We’re looking for passionate, resilient, and business-minded enthusiasts who share our values and want to join us in not only leading the climbing industry but defining it!

Job Summary

The Head Setter or Routesetting Manager manages the routesetting program for the designated facility(s). They are expected to manage the day to day setting operations through leading a team, organizing setting assignments, scheduling, and partnering with the Gym Director and the Director of Setting to make sure route quality, grade distribution, and rotation is keeping up with current trends of our member’s needs and requests. Above all, the Head Setter will work together with other departments and leaders to deliver the highest quality product.

What you'll be doing:

• Provide high quality climbing routes to a wide variety of skill levels and clientele in a timely manner.
  • Will set 2-4 days per week, meet full time hourly requirements for benefits.
  • Manager will assign project hours per week. Including, but not limited to: general setting maintenance, wall maintenance, cleaning, and general organization.
  • Other non-setting hours must be approved by the manager.
• Direct oversight of the routesetting team, including but not limited to: training, professional development, setting schedule planning, mentorship, hold ordering, and competition setting.
  • Includes interviewing and training new setters of all levels as well as mentorship of current setters.
• Help manage all routesetting equipment and general wall maintenance with manager's guidance.
  • Includes tool/equipment maintenance, inspection, ordering and inventory.
• Partner to maintain distribution and rotation.
  • Help with daily, weekly, and monthly route tracking; including updating KAYA.
• Keep up with current trends in the rock climbing community, and continued professional development.

What success looks like:

• You’re reliably setting high quality skeletons, forerunning, and grading routes/problems effectively.
• You’re able to operate independently.
• You’ve demonstrated efficiency and creativity, with an openness to constructive feedback from fellow team members and the Movement community.
• You are able to provide direct mentorship to your team, as well as supportive and constructive feedback on other's routesetting.
• You have an understanding of Movement’s quality of product and aesthetic standards.
• You consistently meet production quota for routes and boulders on all terrain types.
• You are the go-to individual for your team of routesetters.
• You are fostering a healthy partnership with the Gym Director of your facility to ensure the needs of all the gym's programs and departments are being met.
• You are developing the skills required to become a successful Head Setter.

Job Responsibilities

1. Manage the day to day setting operations through leading a team, organizing setting assignments, scheduling, and partnering with the Gym Director and the Director of Setting/Assistant Director of Routesetting to make sure route quality, grade distribution, and rotation is keeping up with current trends of our member’s needs and requests 
2. Help recruit, hire, and train routesetters on a rolling basis. This may include developing apprenticeship and/or mentorship opportunities locally and supporting team members through formal performance reviews.  
3. Routine upkeep of routesetting software, setting equipment, facility setting budget, and time-off requests 
4. Play an active role in engaging with our community members and being an ambassador of the craft 

Job Qualifications:

• Extensive setting and climbing experience in a commercial climbing facility  
• Highly adaptable and able to navigate a dynamic, fast paced environment in a growing industry 
• Proficient in organizational tools such as web-based applications and MS Office suite 
• Proven leadership experience and refined organizational skills. The Head Routesetter needs to be able to manage multiple tasks and competing priorities.  
• Refined understanding of fundamental climbing movement and the ability to break down complexities of what contributes to the difficulty of a climb while developing/mentoring their team. 
• Ability to test and evaluate the accessibility, quality, and difficulty of climbs across a wide variety of styles. The ability to climb V8 and 5.12 in multiple styles is preferred, but not required with the appropriate skillset.  
• Be able to provide and receive constructive criticism in an effective manner, thrive in a team environment and work well with others within the setting team and across departments. 
• Executes all tasks and responsibilities with a level of professionalism that sets an example for the rest of the industry to follow 
• Candidate should be creative, with an eye for detail, and should be able to express themselves within a structured system. 

Even if you don’t match 100% of the qualifications, we encourage you to apply and highlight your transferable skills and experience.   

What it’s like to work for Movement

We’re a group of people who love what we do. But don’t just take it from us, check out what our team members have to say.

We’re driven by our mission to create community, share passion, and inspire philanthropy. To learn more about our mission, purpose, core values, and DEI work, we hope you take some time to get to know us here!

Additional Details

• This role is based in Portland, OR – applicants will be assigned this primary location but may have opportunities to support other locations as agreed upon.
• This is a full-time position.
• Starting salary at $69,400/year, flexibility available based on experience. 
• Benefits include free membership, in-gym discounts, guest visits, potential 401(k) eligibility, paid time off, health benefits. 
• Internal candidates who apply should be in excellent standing with their current director/management team.
• New hires will complete a screening process. 
• Scheduled shift times may vary from week to week or month to month. 

Applications will be accepted until Sunday, May 11th.

Movement is an Equal Opportunity Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or marital status.

Salary : $69,400