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Entertainment manager skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Alex Wittscheck,

Alex Wittscheck

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical entertainment manager skills. We ranked the top skills for entertainment managers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 18.8% of entertainment manager resumes contained booking as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an entertainment manager needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 entertainment manager skills for your resume and career

1. Booking

Here's how entertainment managers use booking:

Managed the band Every Wakes Dream, booking concerts, booking hotels, arranging transportation, networking, etc.
Research, develop, manage & coordinate booking of music events and projects for several clients.

3. Guest Service

Here's how entertainment managers use guest service:

Partnered with the Guest Services department to create unique character experiences for Make-A-Wish and special needs families.
Managed day-to-day operations of facility maintenance, guest services, and cash management.

4. A/V

A/V (Audio Visual) in the digital world refers to multimedia files comprising visuals and sound. The visual doesn't necessarily have to be of the digital type. E.g., theatre shows, live performances, and even church services can fall under the A/V category.

Here's how entertainment managers use a/v:

Implemented, oversaw and analyzed all casino wide entertainment, special events and convention entertainment, d cor and A/V sales.

5. Ticket Sales

Ticket sale is the selling of the rights to be a part of a sports event or show. The ticket sale grants each buyer access to the show or event and leaves everyone who isn't buying out of the show. It can also be referred to as the sums of money generated from the sale of tickets for an event or sports show. Over the years, laws have been enacted to prohibit the resale of tickets by unauthorized sellers.

Here's how entertainment managers use ticket sales:

Maintained detailed event records for income and expenses, ticket sales, media coverage, marketing and correspondence.
Master of Ceremonies, Scheduling of acts and auditions, ticket sales.

6. Payroll

Payroll is the sum of all the compensation that an organization has to pay to employees at a specified time. Payroll is managed by the finance or HR department while small business owners may handle it themselves. Payroll isn't fixed as it varies every month due to sick leaves, overtime, etc.

Here's how entertainment managers use payroll:

Booked and contracted live entertainment for small venue, including organization and handling of all band contact and payroll information.
Managed cast members in daily entertainment operations -Staffing, budget, payroll and scheduling for 300+ cast members

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7. Event Planning

Here's how entertainment managers use event planning:

Trained and Managed in excess of 25 employees for event planning, promotions, entertainment, and special events.
Provided comprehensive event planning, developed creative and specialized menus and theme scenarios; facilitated contract negotiations.

8. POS

POS is an abbreviation of "Point of Sale" which is the time and place where a customer completes a transaction. It can either be a physical shop that consists of POS terminals or a virtual shop. A POS system helps simplify the retail functions and track important sales data.

Here's how entertainment managers use pos:

Programmed the new POS system inventory system increasing productivity and accuracy utilizing inventory measurements and updating as needed.
Implement a new POS system, hire and train employees, as well as overseeing daily transactions of all locations.

9. Event Management

Event management applies project management to the development and creation of corporate events such as conferences, festivals, ceremonies, concerts, or formal parties.

Here's how entertainment managers use event management:

Provided special event set-up & event management for local, national and international Disney sponsored events, productions & marketing.
Maintain equipment, promotions, Event Management, Scheduling

10. DJ

DJ is an acronym for disc jockey which stands for a person that curates songs and plays them for an audience or in a radio station to numerous listeners. They usually have a compilation of songs from different artists cutting across different genres and regions of the world. They are important figures in the music entertainment industry.

Here's how entertainment managers use dj:

Floated back and forth between both clubs from 2010 to 2012 due to the DJ positions needed at both clubs.
Created and chose music, tracks and was lead DJ for all shows.

11. Entertainment Contracts

Here's how entertainment managers use entertainment contracts:

Negotiated and finalized all entertainment contracts and riders.

12. VIP

A VIP is an important or unique person accorded with the highest respect and special privileges in any given and environment. It's an acronym for Very Important Person and such a person naturally wields Influence in society, is very popular, and has a higher social status.

Here's how entertainment managers use vip:

Authored and implemented training manuals for VIP guide program, as well as developing show supervisors to management positions.
Maintained awareness of VIP arrivals & departures ensured special arrangements for VIPs.

13. Travel Arrangements

Here's how entertainment managers use travel arrangements:

Managed Recording Artists business affairs, bookings, travel arrangements, contracts and PR.
Coordinated travel arrangements for 16-18 cast members.

14. Event Coordination

Here's how entertainment managers use event coordination:

Provide event coordination, maintain and improve volunteer/intern and donor relations, oversee database management and external communications.
Devised work schedules to ensure successful event coordination.

15. Event Budgets

The event budget is a projection or forecast, of revenues and expenses that may incur at an event.

Here's how entertainment managers use event budgets:

Facilitated the execution of concerts and live shows while adhering to event budgets and timelines.
Created event budget and managed cash flow of accounts receivable and payable including international wire transfers.

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What skills help Entertainment Managers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on entertainment manager resumes?

Alex Wittscheck

Lecturer, University of North Alabama

Most artist manager positions in the music industry are not filled with a traditional job search where a resume is submitted. However, there are skills that a potential manager needs to demonstrate to earn a job. A manager's job is to represent the artist in all aspects of their career, so a manager must be organized, persuasive, a great communicator, and a quick learner.

My personal experience is with tour management which involves executing a plan for an artist's tour. Most artists want a tour manager to have verifiable experience or a good track record with related positions. Having a personal reference from a mutually trusted professional is always a plus as well.

A manager must know when they can handle a job themselves and when to delegate the work to someone with more knowledge. So, self-awareness is a valued trait. Along with that, the manager needs to have a vast network of other entertainment professionals to call upon when needed. A great manager is always building relationships.

What soft skills should all entertainment managers possess?

Alex Wittscheck

Lecturer, University of North Alabama

It is hard to describe which soft skills are most important for an artist manager. Creativity is very important, especially when it comes to creative problem-solving. Being a manager is sometimes art of its own. A manager is on call 24/7. If an artist has an issue, their manager will be the first person they call. Being able to take these issues in stride and solve any immediate issues quickly requires creative thinking. While problem-solving, the manager often has reassured the artist and others that the problems would be handled. An artist that is worried about anything other than making great art is an artist that needs a new manager.

Another soft skill that managers need is the ability to make, build, and maintain professional relationships. A manager must be personable. They will be communicating with all kinds of business contacts and representing their artist directly. A manager that cannot represent themselves well does not have much hope when looking to represent an artist. Being kind, understanding, and empathetic while maintaining quick thinking and decisiveness is a never-ending balancing act for an artist manager.

What hard/technical skills are most important for entertainment managers?

Alex Wittscheck

Lecturer, University of North Alabama

Being able to work and communicate in a digital world is important. Managers are constantly communicating via email and text message. Basic computer skills are required. However, beyond that, different managers and firms choose different software to keep up with their work.

Having skills in bookkeeping can be valuable. An artist's manager is responsible for maintaining the artist's money if they do not have a separate business manager. Managers will look toward the next goal the artist has set and make sure there is a plan to fund that project. This means managers will help create, maintain, and execute budgets for every project and tour that an artist will do.

Lastly, digital marketing skills are invaluable in today's entertainment industry. Careers are made (and sometimes destroyed) by content that is posted to social media. Managers must have their fingers on the pulse of digital culture as it progresses. The manager can then take this information and use it to inform marketing strategies for their client that hit the target demographic of their fans.

What entertainment manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Rachel Skaggs PhD

Assistant Professor, Ohio State University - Marion Campus

Specialize in a skill that commands a higher salary, consider skills in demand in the industry, learn technical skills like recording, editing, or production.

Do you want to know more?

List of entertainment manager skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for an entertainment manager resume and required skills for an entertainment manager to have include:

Booking
Social Media Marketing
Guest Service
A/V
Ticket Sales
Payroll
Event Planning
POS
Event Management
DJ
Entertainment Contracts
VIP
Travel Arrangements

Event Coordination
Event Budgets
Contract Negotiations
Promotional Materials
Entertainment Budget
Press Releases
Private Events
Live Entertainment
Product Knowledge
Corporate Events
Entertainment Acts
Night Club
Bartending

Private Parties
Business Relationships
Karaoke
Giveaways
Hotel Guests
Expense Reports
Customer Relations
Sound Systems
Customer Complaints
Promotional Events
AS400
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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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