Centre Manager,
Rocks and Wheels
Lead a brand new, £8 million community adventure centre and turn it into a thriving, sustainable business.
Apply now About the role
Build something from the ground up
After nine years of planning and around £8 million of investment, Rocks and Wheels is opening its doors in Dalbeattie, a friendly town of 4,000 people surrounded by forest, hills and the Solway coast.
Created by the community for the community, the centre has transformed the town's historic 1876 granite primary school, bell tower and all, into a unique base for outdoor adventure, right next to Dalbeattie Forest and the 7stanes mountain bike trails.
We're looking for our first Centre Manager to lead the centre commercially: filling beds with school groups, youth organisations, families and outdoor enthusiasts, growing bookings and income, and owning the profit and loss. In the early days you'll be hands-on and happy to step in wherever you're needed, while you build the team and systems that let the business grow.
Rocks and Wheels is run by a community interest company owned by Dalbeattie Community Initiative, a local charity, so its success goes straight back into the town.
The centre at a glance
- 52-bed bunkhouse in ensuite rooms
- 40-seat café and 60-seat refectory
- Indoor bouldering hall
- National-level floodlit pump track
- Three community rooms for hire
- Around 50 local children on the track every day
The development of Rocks and Wheels into a destination adventure centre is set to transform our community. Boosting visitor numbers, growing the local economy, creating meaningful employment, training, volunteering and improving health and wellbeing. The future-proofing of our most iconic building, rich in history and now secured to be enjoyed by future generations. Rocks and Wheels is ready to launch and grow into a flagship adventure centre for Scotland.Michelle McRoberts, CEO, Dalbeattie Community Initiative
From a closed school to a flagship centre
Before
After
Already on the international map
In June 2026 our national-level pump track hosted the Velosolutions UCI Pump Track World Championships UK Qualifier, with riders from around the world competing for places at the finals in Beijing.
Watch the film on YouTube
What you'll bring
Ideally you'll have a background that covers some of what the centre offers: hospitality, events, group activities, adventure holidays or accommodation. You'll bring a commercial mindset and the confidence to be the face of the centre. We'll assess candidates against five competencies:
Commercial drive
Growing bookings and income, and owning the P&L.
Financial reporting
Tracking performance and reporting clearly to the board and funders.
Hands-on leadership
Building a small team and leading by example.
Customer focus
A great guest experience and a well-run, safe site.
Stakeholder diplomacy
Working well with boards, funders and the community.
Ready to apply?
Email your CV to Rory White at rory@longhousehq.com. Rory will come back to you within one working day and is happy to have an informal, confidential conversation about the role.
Closing date: Monday 16 November 2026. Interviews: week beginning 23 November 2026, including a 20-minute presentation on your plan for your first 12 months.
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