JOBS: Managing Director at Yonder, London

Overview

As well as a fantastic bouldering facility, Yonder houses a fully equipped co-working space, workshop, yoga studio, café and bar. A space for people to work, play, create, and unwind, providing a focal point for all aspects of the local community.

We invest time in sustaining a collaborative and friendly team who work hard together to make Yonder a world class facility. We are passionate about supporting and building our community through the provision of excellent facilities, exceptional customer service, hosting a variety of fun and inspiring events, and creating a vibrant community spirit.

Yonder has four key business areas, Climbing, Workspace, Business Development and Customer Experience.  Each has its own manager which along with the Managing Director form the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). The SLT work together to make key decisions within the business and ensure all areas of Yonder are successful and working in synergy.

Job Summary:

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Managing Director to lead and grow Yonder. As the Managing Director, you will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company’s operations, including strategic planning, budget management, business development, and people management. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic leader who is passionate about providing high quality customer service to the community and eager to drive the growth and success of our organisation.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive business strategy to drive growth, increase market share, and maximize profitability.
• Identify new business opportunities, assess market trends, and adjust the company’s strategy accordingly.
• Collaborate with the board and key stakeholders to define long-term goals and objectives.

Financial Management:

• Prepare and manage the company’s budget, ensuring effective allocation of resources to achieve financial targets.
• Monitor financial performance, analyse financial statements, and implement corrective measures when necessary.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and implement strategies to improve operational efficiency.
• Prepare regular, accurate management information for the Board and brief them monthly, highlighting risks.

Business Development:

• Identify and pursue new revenue streams, partnerships, and expansion opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with key clients, suppliers, and industry and community stakeholders.
• Stay updated on industry trends and competitor activities to identify areas for improvement and innovation.

People Management:

• Provide strong leadership and guidance to a diverse team of employees, fostering a positive and productive work environment.
• Set clear performance expectations, provide regular feedback, and conduct performance reviews.
• Communicate regularly with the workforce to maintain engagement and oversee the framework of 1:1s, team meetings and all staff communication.
• Identify talent gaps, recruit and onboard new team members, and provide professional development opportunities.

Operational Excellence:

• Improve operational efficiency by implementing and optimizing processes and procedures.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of safety protocols and adherence to industry standards.
• Monitor customer satisfaction, address customer concerns, and drive continuous improvement in service quality.

Risk Management and Compliance:

• Develop and enforce policies and procedures to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and legal requirements.
• Identify and mitigate business risks, including safety risks associated with rock climbing activities.
• Maintain appropriate insurance coverage and liaise with legal advisors as needed.

Experience:

• Proven experience in a leadership role, preferably as a Managing Director or CEO, within the adventure tourism, outdoor recreation, sports, hospitality or retail industries.
• Experience in reporting KPI performance, governance and risk
• Strong business acumen with a track record of driving growth and profitability.
• Excellent financial management skills, including budgeting and financial analysis.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, business development, and market expansion.
• Effective people management skills, including recruitment, coaching, and performance management.
• Ability to make informed decisions and solve problems in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Knowledge of risk management principles and experience ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
• A deep understanding of rock climbing is not necessary for this role, but it is essential that you share our values and fully understand our customer base. 

Benefits

BUPA Healthcare scheme

Free climbing and yoga

Discount in the cafe/bar area

Access to the Yonder Workspace and workshop for personal projects

Access to the free reciprocal climbing scheme at the majority of London’s climbing walls

Remuneration

The Salary for the role is fully negotiable dependent on experience.

50k pa is a guideline but if a candidate can demonstrate how they will bring significant growth to the business, then remuneration is fully negotiable.

28 Days holiday

Bupa healthcare scheme

Selection Process

Selection will be based on application and interview. Interviews will be informal and designed to get the best out of you. We will test the criteria listed in the requirements section. 

Note, we are happy to provide feedback to all those interviewed but will not be able to provide feedback on application forms / CV.s

Timeline

Interviews will take place throughout June and early July 2024.

Please apply before the end of June.

How to Apply

Please send CVs and a personal statement of no more than 1000 words describing how you meet the requirements and why you want to work at Yonder to [email protected] with the subject ‘Managing Director’.

For Further Information

For more information about Yonder please visit www.thisisyonder.com or for specific questions about the role please contact James Harrison on [email protected]

Closing Date: 5th July
Salary: Fully negotiable – £50k plus