Our Hangars are more than climbing walls.
They're community hubs filled with adventure, good coffee, brilliant people and plenty of opportunities to try something new.
We're looking for a General Manager to lead one of our centres and help create the kind of experience that keeps people coming back for more.
You don't need to have a climbing background, but you do need to be a people-first leader who loves developing teams, building communities and delivering great commercial results.
The need-to-know info
- Where: The Climbing Hangar Southampton - Third Ave, Southampton SO15 0LD
- Contract: Full-time, permanent
- Hours: 40 hours per week
- Pay: Dependent on experience
- Working hours: Flexible, including evenings and weekends
- Positions available: 1
- Apply by: Monday 27th July 2026
Send your CV and cover letter to [email protected] with the position and location in the subject line.
What you'll do
Every day looks a little different, and that's exactly how we like it.
You'll be responsible for leading the overall success of the site, including:
- Leading, coaching and developing a high-performing team
- Driving membership sales, retention and customer loyalty
- Creating an exceptional customer experience for climbers of all ages and abilities
- Building relationships within the local climbing and wider community
- Managing site performance, budgets and commercial targets
- Overseeing retail and café operations
- Ensuring the highest standards of health, safety and safeguarding
- Supporting events, competitions and community initiatives
- Working closely with teams across Operations, Marketing, Finance and People
What's in it for you?
- 20% discretionary annual bonus
- Friendly hours with your rota set 4 weeks in advance
- Unlimited free climbs for you and a buddy (plus your kids, if you have them)
- Discount on food and drinks in our cafe
- 31 days annual leave per year (inclusive of bank holidays)
- Employee referral scheme to bag an extra £200*
- Exclusive deals on climbing gear
- Long service recognition
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (free 24/7 wellbeing support for work-related and personal issues), plus on-site Mental Health First Aiders and counselling
- Training and development, including coaching, first aid and safeguarding
Who we're looking for
All of our General Managers bring something different, and that's what makes our teams special.
We're looking for someone who:
- Loves leading and developing people
- Can balance commercial performance with great customer experiences
- Is confident in making decisions and taking ownership
- Enjoys building strong local communities and partnerships
- Thrives in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same
- Has experience leading successful teams, ideally in hospitality, leisure, retail, fitness or a similar customer-focused environment
- Is committed to safeguarding and creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcome
- Has the right to work in the UK
It's not essential, but it's also nice if you:
- Have a passion for climbing or an interest in the industry
- Have experience growing memberships, sales or customer engagement
- Have delivered successful operational improvements or projects
- Hold qualifications in first aid, safeguarding or coaching
Who are we?
Our story started in a warehouse in Liverpool back in 2011, when our Founder wanted a new place to climb with his mates. What started out as a simple project grew into an important mission:
To inspire bolder living through indoor climbing.
These days, we care more about how our members’ climbing journey nourishes and connects them than what that journey is. Climb up, fall off, spend more time on the mats with your mates. It doesn’t matter to us because finding joy in how they do something is more important than what they do – and all of us find joy in play.
Play is a secret superpower in climbing and in life. And, at The Climbing Hangar, play is what we do best.
We’re now an open, trusted and welcoming space where old-school climbing and new-to-climbing coexist.
We’re a place for everybody, and people tell us that they feel like they belong here. That’s the whole point.
Equal Opportunities Statement
We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to ensuring equality for all. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. All employment decisions are made based on merit, skills and experience.
How to apply
If this role sounds like your cup of tea, then we can’t wait to meet you. To apply to join our crew, send your CV and cover letter to [email protected] with the position and location in the subject line.
We want to know what makes you unique, and your cover letter is the best way to do it. Tell us more about who you are and why you want to join our team.
Just a quick note: we can’t offer individual feedback to candidates, and we may close the advert early if we find the right match.
Any information provided to us will be held in the strictest confidence. It will be processed and retained in accordance with the Data Protection Act (2018) and UK GDPR.
*Find out more about our Employee Referral Scheme
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £38,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Referral programme
- Sick pay
- Store discount
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
