What skills does a performance production manager need?

A performance production manager needs 32 essential skills including cultural projects, corporate social responsibility, manage supplies, draw up artistic production, organise rehearsals. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace performance production manager jobs?

The AI disruption score for performance production manager is 22/100 (low risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

TourismHospitality, retail and other services managersISCO 1431

performance production manager

Performance production managers take care of a range of practical issues concerning the production of a performance or entertainment event. They deal with matters ranging from the recruitment of staff, procurement of materials and services, to freight, customs coordination, telecommunications, labor relations, logistics, information technology, government liaison, venue booking, scheduling, operations management, mending delay problems and workplace safety.

About performance production manager

As a performance production manager, you will oversee all practical and operational aspects of bringing live performances and entertainment events to life. Your responsibilities span a vast range of activities including recruiting and managing production staff, sourcing materials and services, coordinating logistics and transportation, managing budgets, scheduling rehearsals, and handling vendor relationships. You will serve as a critical liaison between artistic teams and the administrative infrastructure, ensuring that creative visions are realised within budget and on schedule. This role demands strong organisational skills, creative problem-solving ability, and the capacity to manage multiple competing priorities while maintaining excellent relationships with artists, staff, and external partners.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a performance production manager.

Project Planning and Scheduling

Develop comprehensive project plans and timelines for performances and entertainment events
Coordinate venue bookings and secure appropriate spaces for performances and rehearsals
Schedule all production activities including rehearsals, technical setup, and dress rehearsals
Establish daily priorities and manage timeline adherence across all production phases

Staff Recruitment and Management

Recruit, hire, and onboard technical and production staff for different event requirements
Manage staff schedules, assignments, and performance expectations throughout production cycles
Conduct team briefings and ensure clear communication of roles, responsibilities, and safety protocols
Handle labour relations issues and resolve conflicts to maintain positive team dynamics

Budget and Financial Management

Develop and manage production budgets, tracking all expenditures and controlling costs
Procure materials, equipment, and services while negotiating competitive pricing with vendors
Monitor cash flow and manage financial reports for project stakeholders and executives
Seek cost efficiencies and identify opportunities to reduce expenses without compromising quality

Logistics, Freight and Coordination

Arrange transportation and logistics for equipment, materials, and personnel to event locations
Coordinate customs clearance and documentation for international touring productions
Manage shipping schedules, storage facilities, and equipment inventory throughout production
Establish contingency plans for logistical challenges and manage delays or unforeseen problems

Stakeholder Liaison and Communication

Liaise with cultural partners, local authorities, and government agencies for approvals and permits
Coordinate with curators, directors, and artistic teams to align production needs with creative vision
Represent the organisation in professional meetings and negotiations with external partners
Maintain regular communication with all stakeholders and provide progress updates on production status

Operations and Health and Safety

Oversee all operational aspects of events including setup, technical operations, and breakdown
Implement comprehensive health and safety protocols to protect all participants and staff
Coordinate with technology teams to ensure reliable telecommunications and IT infrastructure
Address workplace safety issues promptly and ensure compliance with occupational health standards

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (32)

cultural projectscultural projectsThe purpose, organisation and management of cultural projects and related fundraising actions.corporate social responsibilitycorporate social responsibilityThe handling or managing of business processes in a responsible and ethical manner considering the economic responsibility towards shareholders as equally important as the responsibility towards envir...manage suppliesmanage suppliesMonitor and control the flow of supplies that includes the purchase, storage and movement of the required quality of raw materials, and also work-in-progress inventory. Manage supply chain activities ...draw up artistic productiondraw up artistic productionFile and document a production in all its phases right after the performance period so that it can be reproduced and all relevant information remains accessible.organise rehearsalsorganise rehearsalsManage, schedule and run rehearsals for the performance.represent the organisationrepresent the organisationAct as representative of the institution, company or organisation to the outside world.plan artistic production activitiesplan artistic production activitiesAllocate staff and resources to different activities in the artistic production. Take into account the needs of the production and coordinate with the involved parties.liaise with cultural partnersliaise with cultural partnersEstablish and maintain sustainable partnerships with cultural authorities, sponsors and other cultural institutions.manage budgetsmanage budgetsPlan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.liaise with local authoritiesliaise with local authoritiesMaintain the liaison and exchange of information with regional or local authorities.work with cultural venue specialistswork with cultural venue specialistsCall upon the competence of other professionals and specialists, from within and outside the organisation, to contribute to activities and provide documents to improve public access to collections and...strive for company growthstrive for company growthDevelop strategies and plans aiming at achieving a sustained company growth, be the company self-owned or somebody else's. Strive with actions to increase revenues and positive cash flows.manage artistic projectmanage artistic projectManage an artistic project. Determine project needs. Establish partnerships. Manage the budget, schedule, contractual agreements and assess the project.manage staffmanage staffManage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the wor...coordinate with creative departmentscoordinate with creative departmentsCoordinate activities with other artistic and creative departments.adapt to artists' creative demandsadapt to artists' creative demandsWork with artists, striving to understand the creative vision and adapting to it. Make full use of your talents and skills to reach the best possible result.coordinate rehearsalscoordinate rehearsalsOrganise rehearsal schedules for actors and crew, collect and update necessary contact information as well as organise any additional meetings for the actors and crew.establish daily prioritiesestablish daily prioritiesEstablish daily priorities for staff personnel; effectively deal with multi-task workload.promote cultural venue eventspromote cultural venue eventsWork together with museum or any art facility staff to develop and promote its events and programme.estimate needs of artistic productionestimate needs of artistic productionAnalyse, estimate and list the artistic production needs.coordinate pre-show checkscoordinate pre-show checksCoordinate the final checks before a performance in order to ensure a safe, optimal functioning environment that is fully ready to start the show.develop artistic project budgetsdevelop artistic project budgetsDeveloping artistic project budgets for approval, estimating deadlines and material costs.set organisational policiesset organisational policiesParticipate in setting organisational policies that cover issues such as participant eligibility, program requirements, and program benefits for the service users.supervise daily information operationssupervise daily information operationsDirect daily operations of different units. Coordinate program/project activities to assure the respect of costs and time.develop cultural activitiesdevelop cultural activitiesDevelop activities adapted to the outreach and/or audience. Take into account difficulties and needs observed and identified from the perspective of enhancing curiosity and general capability to acces...manage logisticsmanage logisticsCreate logistic framework for transporting goods to customers and for receiving returns, execute and follow up the logistics processes and guidelines. Adapt the production processes to the contingenci...create production schedulescreate production schedulesCreate the timeline for the production of a motion picture, broadcast program or artistic production. Decide how long each phase will take and what its requirements are. Take into account the existing...promote inclusionpromote inclusionPromote and respect diversity, and advocate for equal treatment of genders, ethnicities and minority groups in organisations in order to prevent discrimination and ensure inclusion and a positive envi...coordinate artistic productioncoordinate artistic productionOversee the day-to-day coordination of production tasks so that the organisation fits within the desired artistic and business policies and in order to present productions in a uniform corporate ident...organise performance spaceorganise performance spaceKeep the stage and backstage areas organised. Define and label areas for different purposes, such as storage, dressing and meeting. Coordinate organisational decisions with the users of the space.organise cultural eventsorganise cultural eventsArrange events in cooperation with local stakeholders which promote local culture and heritage.follow company standardsfollow company standardsLead and manage according to the organisation's code of conduct.

Optional (7)

cost managementcost managementThe process of planning, monitoring and adjusting the expenses and revenues of a business in order to achieve cost efficiency and capability.copyright legislationcopyright legislationLegislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.document safety actionsdocument safety actionsRecord all actions taken to ameliorate health and safety, including evaluations, incident reports, strategic plans, risk assessments.assemble an artistic teamassemble an artistic teamBring together an artistic team, after identifying the needs, looking for candidates, conducting interviews and aligning on the conditions of the project.ensure health and safety of visitorsensure health and safety of visitorsTake the necessary precautions to ensure the physical safety of an audience or people visiting an activity. Prepare actions in case of emergency. Administer first aid and direct emergency evacuations.plan health and safety proceduresplan health and safety proceduresSet up procedures for maintaining and improving health and safety in the establishment or workplace.labour legislationlabour legislationLegislation, on a national or international level, that governs labour conditions in various fields between labour parties such as the government, employees, employers, and trade unions.