Demo

Gym Manager

Climbing Business Journal
North Chicago, IL Full Time
POSTED ON 6/13/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 7/11/2026
About First Ascent Climbing & Fitness

First Ascent is focused on growing a vibrant community that shares a passion for climbing and fitness. For more information, please visit www.faclimbing.com.

Our mission at First Ascent Climbing and Fitness is to share our love of climbing, connect people through movement, and create welcoming, supportive spaces that strengthen minds, bodies, and communities. We offer indoor rock climbing, high-end fitness equipment, classes, personal training, and yoga at each of our locations. First Ascent Climbing & Fitness is a growing company, and we are looking for people who will help us continually improve what we do as we discover how to best serve our members and visitors. We will look to you to help us be creative, think outside the box, evaluate what works and what does not, and implement changes effectively—and have a blast in the process.

As a First Ascent Gym Manager you will be an integral piece of the First Ascent organizational framework. A gym manager is responsible for every aspect of their gyms and will be working with the founders, operations director, and department heads to help it succeed. This requires someone with exceptional communication and organizational skills who is results oriented and thrives while working as part of a team.

Job Responsibilities

First Ascent Culture

  • Ensure that the First Ascent mission and values are communicated and implemented at your gym
  • Work to create a community atmosphere for members and guests
  • Work with Marketing Director and Operations Manager to create unique events that will appeal to your gym clientele

Gym Financial Performance

  • Ensure revenue goals are met for your facility
  • Operate within operations and staffing budget to keep costs contained
  • Meet all Key Performance Indicators laid out by ownership

Facilities

  • Manage staff and outside vendors to keep the facility at an acceptable level of cleanliness for clientele
  • Maintain all aspects of the facility including HVAC, utilities, garbage collection, etc.
  • Address facility emergency issues including plumbing, electrical, HVAC, etc.

Staffing

  • Ensure gym is adequately staffed at all times
  • Responsible for hiring, disciplining, and terminating staff
  • Conduct performance reviews of staff
  • Responsible for payroll review
  • Keep staff motivated!

Gym Programming

  • Manage the day to day operations of Yoga, Youth Rec and Adult Programming with input from the department heads
  • Along with head setter, responsible for setting rotation and quality
  • Work with the client relations team to support guided sessions, outreach, and events

Education And/Or Experience

  • Minimum 2 years of management experience, preferably in the fitness or recreation industry
  • High school diploma/general education degree (GED) preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

  • Exceptional communication and creative problem-solving skills, solid computer skills
  • Friendly demeanor, positive attitude and adaptability to various personality types
  • Flexible working style and ability to multitask, set priorities and manage time effectively
  • Enthusiasm for sharing knowledge and love of climbing and fitness
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Office based systems, as well as strong computer skills

Perks & Benefits

  • Salary Range $47,500-$52,500
  • Trimester bonus tied to individual and company-wide performance
  • Generous PTO package
  • Health, Dental, Vision & Disability Insurance Offered
  • 401(k) Plan Offered
  • Free membership to all First Ascent locations
  • Access to pro-deals

Work Environment

  • Predominantly in a climate controlled indoor environment
  • Noise level ranges from moderate to loud
  • Employee must be able to concentrate through distraction and communicate effectively

Eeo Statement

First Ascent is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. First Ascent does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, protective order status, military status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, ancestry, pregnancy or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law. First Ascent prohibits harassment of any individual on any of the protected characteristics listed above.

Salary : $47,500 - $52,500

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Climbing Business Journal

  • Climbing Business Journal Washington, DC
  • Job Description About Bouldering Project The Bouldering Project is more than a climbing gym-we’re a community. We’re driven by a shared belief: that climbi... more
  • 2 Days Ago

  • Climbing Business Journal San Marcos, CA
  • Title: Tier 2 Coach: Competitive and/or Recreational Reports To: Comp Head Coach /Rec Head Coach Department: Comp Coaching /Rec Coaching FLSA Status: Non-E... more
  • 2 Days Ago

  • Climbing Business Journal Louisville, CO
  • Role: Recreational Youth Coach Type of Position: Part-Time, Hourly, Staff Company Mission By serving our communities with an open & inclusive environment &... more
  • 3 Days Ago

  • Climbing Business Journal Sarasota, FL
  • At Hexrock Climbing our mission is to build an inclusive community where climbing and fitness bring people together. We are dedicated to creating a welcomi... more
  • 3 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Gym Manager jobs in the North Chicago, IL area that may be a better fit.

  • Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) Great Lakes, IL
  • Skip to content MISTAFF – MASSP Michigan Education Job Postings Home Job Search Post a Job MASSP.com K-12 Alternative Certification Events Gym Teacher 26/2... more
  • 24 Days Ago

  • WAUKEGAN PARK DISTRICT Waukegan, IL
  • Compensation & Benefits: Expected hiring range $15.00 to $16.00 based on education, experience, and skills. Click here for a quick look at benefits! Positi... more
  • 11 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!