Youth Programs & Competitive Team Director

About the role

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.

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.

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