Post job

What does an executive producer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Johnathan Paul
What does an executive producer do

An executive producer is responsible for supervising the creation and development of digital entertainment content. Executive producers secure and maintain the production budget, negotiate with a production company, and manage marketing campaigns for promotion. They also work with multiple producers to finalize the production team, review the creative content, and ensure the completeness of production plans within the agreed timeframe. An executive producer must have excellent communication and organization skills, especially on coordinating with production personnel to ensure the smooth flow of the production operations.

On this page

Executive producer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real executive producer resumes:

  • Manage local ABC affiliate news department.
  • Manage on air giveaways and daily advertising metrics
  • Manage day-to-day completion activities including project planning and QA testing.
  • Operate ENG vehicles and equipment.
  • Coordinate out of house productions for live events such as ABC live and Facebook live.
  • Develop an expert understanding for building a channel and programming video on YouTube and the competitive platforms.
  • Work closely with creative, content partners, and clients to produce content for TV and web.
  • Collaborate with the creative designer, account manager and YouTube team to bring this key strategic gathering to life.
  • Develop sketch options for the show so the series producer can pick and choose what would suit the show.
  • Direct and supervise intern s. R e c ruit and coordinate volunteers for semi-annual membership drive to ensure financial success.
  • Conceive unique story ideas for CNN shows, produce field shoots, conduct interviews, write, produce and edit packages
  • Collaborate with designers to create graphic elements that enhance the promotional message and fall in line with the CNN brand.
  • Create storyboards to help conceptualize finish products.
  • Design production equipment to facilitate intricate macro photography.
  • Spearhead and supervise website redesign and institute SEO best practices

Executive producer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 9% of Executive Producers are proficient in Video Production, Digital Content, and Digital Platforms. They’re also known for soft skills such as Social perceptiveness, Writing skills, and Creativity.

We break down the percentage of Executive Producers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Video Production, 9%

    Created and implemented strategic plans focused on strengthening and projecting the Video Production Unit while maximizing human and economic resources.

  • Digital Content, 9%

    Produced and developed digital content.

  • Digital Platforms, 6%

    Investigated and incorporated new technology for planned digital platforms.

  • Web Content, 6%

    Web Content for major city's lifestyle, culture, arts, sports and entertainment events.

  • News Stories, 5%

    Curated and aggregated breaking news stories Produced television recaps/reviews and feature stories Promoted stories through social media

  • News Content, 5%

    Oversee daily news content, making vital decisions on what is covered and how it will appear in our newscasts.

Common skills that an executive producer uses to do their job include "video production," "digital content," and "digital platforms." You can find details on the most important executive producer responsibilities below.

Creativity. executive producers are also known for creativity, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to executive producer responsibilities, because "because a script may be interpreted in different ways, directors must decide on their approach and on how to represent the script’s ideas for the production." An executive producer resume example shows how creativity is used in the workplace: "coordinated video production schedules by managing creative and tech teams from contract through delivery of final product in timely manner. "

Communication skills. A big part of what executive producers do relies on "communication skills." You can see how essential it is to executive producer responsibilities because "producers and directors must convey information and ideas clearly in order to coordinate many people to finish a production on time and within budget." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical executive producer tasks: "teach basic video production, communications and fundamentals of speech courses. "

Leadership skills. Another common skill required for executive producer responsibilities is "leadership skills." This skill comes up in the duties of executive producers all the time, as "directors instruct actors and help them portray their characters in a believable manner." An excerpt from a real executive producer resume shows how this skill is central to what an executive producer does: "provided leadership throughout the filming and production process, which included managing the set, lighting, sound, and editing. "

All executive producer skills

Choose from 10+ customizable executive producer resume templates

Build a professional executive producer resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your executive producer resume.
Executive Producer Resume
Executive Producer Resume
Executive Producer Resume
Executive Producer Resume
Executive Producer Resume
Executive Producer Resume
Executive Producer Resume
Executive Producer Resume
Executive Producer Resume
Executive Producer Resume
Executive Producer Resume
Executive Producer Resume
Executive Producer Resume
Executive Producer Resume
Executive Producer Resume
Executive Producer Resume

Compare different executive producers

Executive producer vs. Camera operator

A camera operator is responsible for operating various technical equipment to support technical operations, such as media productions and live events. Camera operators must have extensive knowledge of different camera features to select the appropriate device and manage the production's overall visual presentation. They also deliver the perfect footage on different angles for easy editing techniques alongside the technical crews and director's supervision. A camera operator should be communicative, as well as having excellent time-management and multi-tasking skills to adhere to the demands of production and schedules.

We looked at the average executive producer salary and compared it with the wages of a camera operator. Generally speaking, camera operators are paid $74,232 lower than executive producers per year.Even though executive producers and camera operators are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require video production, control room, and abc in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, executive producer responsibilities require skills like "digital content," "digital platforms," "web content," and "news stories." Meanwhile a typical camera operator has skills in areas such as "camera equipment," "camera operation," "audio equipment," and "cctv." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Camera operators really shine in the education industry with an average salary of $44,733. Comparatively, executive producers tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $116,122.On average, camera operators reach lower levels of education than executive producers. Camera operators are 5.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Executive producer vs. Audio visual specialist

Audiovisual specialists are skilled professionals who focus on the effective operation of audiovisual systems and technology. These specialists are required to maintain and troubleshoot audio, video, and lighting equipment that are used in broadcasts and recordings. They must connect, tune, and configure audio-video setups to ensure high-quality broadcasting while operating software to control the AV technologies. Audiovisual specialists must also monitor live feeds as well as prepare teleprompters with scripts.

On average, audio visual specialists earn a $67,714 lower salary than executive producers a year.A few skills overlap for executive producers and audio visual specialists. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "video production," "adobe audition," and "dvd. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real executive producer resumes. While executive producer responsibilities can utilize skills like "digital content," "digital platforms," "web content," and "news stories," audio visual specialists use skills like "visualization," "unity," "audio visual support," and "sales floor."

On average, audio visual specialists earn a lower salary than executive producers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, audio visual specialists earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $65,762. Whereas executive producers have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $116,122.audio visual specialists earn similar levels of education than executive producers in general. They're 4.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for executive producers in the next 3-5 years?

Johnathan PaulJohnathan Paul LinkedIn profile

Adjunct Professor, University of North Texas

We've slowly seen more and more companies in film, television, and video game development move a portion of their business to online and remote for the past ten years. However, with the global pandemic, we've seen those new models get pushed to the forefront in a concise amount of time. With that said, my classes have been integrating communication and project management apps into the classroom workflow and the core creative tools I use. So apps such as Zoom, Slack, Notion, Frame.io, Evercast, etc. are heavily used in my class, as students will now need to have a working knowledge of some or all of these applications once they move into the industry.

Executive producer vs. Photographer, editor

A Photographer, Editor selects, edits, and positions photos in print and web publications. They work for newspapers, magazines, websites, or other publications.

An average photographer, editor eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of executive producers. The difference in salaries amounts to photographers, editor earning a $66,710 lower average salary than executive producers.By looking over several executive producers and photographers, editor resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "video production," "news stories," and "facebook." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from executive producer resumes include skills like "digital content," "digital platforms," "web content," and "news content," whereas a photographer, editor is more likely to list skills in "adobe photoshop," "video cameras," "digital photography," and "eng. "

Photographers, editor earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $55,183. Comparatively, executive producers have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $116,122.photographers, editor typically earn similar educational levels compared to executive producers. Specifically, they're 4.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Executive producer vs. Freelance video editor

A freelance video editor offers video editing services to individuals and businesses. Most freelance video editors manage their own time and work at their preferred places, some even working from home. Among their responsibilities include meeting with clients to identify their needs and preferences, negotiating contracts, gathering and editing clips, and completing projects within deadlines. There are also instances when they must shoot videos in adherence to the contract's terms. Moreover, a freelance video editor must establish positive relationships with clients to develop a strong client base.

Freelance video editors tend to earn a lower pay than executive producers by an average of $63,046 per year.While both executive producers and freelance video editors complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like video production, web content, and facebook, the two careers vary in some skills.While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "digital content," "digital platforms," "news stories," and "news content" are skills that commonly show up on executive producer resumes. On the other hand, freelance video editors use skills like training videos, motion graphics, adobe premiere pro, and edit video on their resumes.freelance video editors reach similar levels of education compared to executive producers, in general. The difference is that they're 3.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of executive producer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs