Job advertisement – Kalasatama’s Gym Manager
Job Summary
KiipeilyAreena is a leading provider of indoor climbing experiences with three world-class locations across Helsinki. We operate one specialized bouldering-only facility and two full-service climbing gyms.
Our vision is to be the premier climbing destination that empowers people of all ages and abilities to challenge themselves, build community, and connect with the sport of climbing. Working at KiipeilyAreena is a truly unique opportunity – it’s about doing something you are passionate about. We are professional and hardworking, yet authentic and fun! As importantly, at KiipeilyAreena, we promote diversity, inclusion and equity.
Now we are looking for an experienced Gym Manager at our Kalasatama gym! This role is a full-time position that is responsible for the sustainable operations and profitability of the gym, while fostering a culture of excellent customer experience, employee experience and commercial success.
The Gym Manager will play a pivotal role in overseeing the daily gym operations and staffing responsibilities. The Gym Manager works closely with their Deputy Gym Manager and other Gym Managers to build trust, community, and a culture of learning. Reporting directly to the CEO and being part of the management team, this role is essential in the success of Kalasatama gym and the entire KiipeilyAreena.
This position offers freedom and opportunity to implement creative methods for operating and leading your gym, and to innovate new ways to foster the climbing community.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership:
- Lead and develop motivated and competent gym staff that promote and role model KiipeilyAreena unique customer experience
- Inspire and grow your people
- Set goals, motivate and support your team for success
- Frequently collaborate with the management team on company-wide topics to ensure excellent customer experience, employee experience and commercial success
- Recruiting capable staff whenever needed
Commercial success
- The Gym Manager is responsible for gym-level profit and loss
- Aligned with KiipeilyAreena’s commercial playbook
- – Deeply understand customer value and continuously improve the customer experience
- – Develop and maintain a commercially successful and profitable gym offering (e.g., courses, events, retail sales…)
- – Lead gym-level sales activities
- – Collaborate with the marketing team to create and implement efficient marketing activities
- Budgeting and cost management
- Stay informed about industry trends and incorporate best practices into daily operations.
Gym operations, Safety and Quality
- Being overall responsible for continuity of high-quality service and operations – requiring being on-call at certain times.
- In close cooperation with the deputy gym manager and head route setter, responsible for creating and supporting safe working & customer environment
- Create and manage gym level staffing schedules
- Communication and relationship management with relevant stakeholders
Requirements
- Experienced people leader with a modern leadership touch, preferably in recreational setting (fitness, climbing, hospitality…)
- Commercial acumen and proven experience in generating profitable growth with excellent customer experience
- Solution-oriented and positive team player
- Self-motivated, proactive, hands-on and hardworking
- Able to work well under pressure
- Proficiency in Microsoft 365 preferred
- 35-40 hours/week and flextime, including occasional evening and weekend shifts.
- Fluency in Finnish and English
Compensation & Benefits
- Truly inspiring and unique working environment with great people
- Supportive supervisor and awesome management team
- Competitive monthly salary
- Occupational health care with comprehensive insurance coverage
- Free climbing at all our gyms
Would you have the potential to be the next Kalasatama Gym Manager? Apply now! Send your cover letter and CV with salary request in one pdf-file to our CEO Arttu Kähönen / arttu.kahonen@kiipeilyareena.com as soon as possible, but latest by 31.10.2025.
For more information about the position, you can contact Arttu Kähönen by phone 040 352 9034 (Monday 27.10. 15–16, Thursday 30.10. 15–15.30 and Friday 31.10. 14–15)
Looking very much forward to hearing from you!
(Regardless of the position, KiipeilyAreena expects teamwork, flexibility, and cross-training from all team members. Everyone is responsible for taking part in customer service, retail sales, risk management, coaching, instruction, group facilitation, cleaning/disinfecting and maintenance, front desk operations, special events, and/or administrative duties where experience/proficiency is demonstrated.)
