How to become a manager or director in the creative industries

Official title: Managers and directors in the creative industries

Also called: Manager, Director, Arts manager, Tour manager, Artist manager, Studio manager, Design director, Boxer's manager, Gallery manager, General manager, Touring manager, Gallery director

Managers and directors in creative industries plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the activities and resources of organisations in sectors such as arts, publishing, music, media, design and architecture.

Main tasks

• Plans, organises, directs and co-ordinates the activities and resources of organisations in the creative industries, such as publishing firms, art galleries and television companies
• Liaises with clients, generates new business and promotes their organisation by attending and organising conferences, exhibits and other events
• Helps set the creative direction of their organisation and finds new talent, such as artists, writers and musicians, as well as pieces such as artworks, scripts and music
• Keeps up to date with new releases, publications and trends in relevant fields
• Establishes client's requirements and oversees the conception and development of multiple projects
• Reviews and revises creative teams' work across multiple projects
• Determines staffing, material, financial, and other short- and long-term needs

How to become one

Entry requirements vary according to the specific sector. Most post holders will have relevant experience and while some fields do not require candidates to have academic qualifications others require a degree or equivalent qualification. Off and on-the-job training may be provided, and vocational qualifications are available in many of these sectors.

Pay · Outlook

• Median full-time pay: £54,772 a year The middle half earn £40,171 to null.
• About 57,500 people work in this job now, and about 66,500 are projected by 2035. (+15.6%)

Related jobs

• Property, housing and estate managers
• Garage managers and proprietors
• Hairdressing and beauty salon managers and proprietors
• Waste disposal and environmental services managers
• Betting shop and gambling establishment managers
• Hire services managers and proprietors

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Questions people ask

How do I become a manager or director in the creative industries?

Entry requirements vary according to the specific sector. Most post holders will have relevant experience and while some fields do not require candidates to have academic qualifications others require a degree or equivalent qualification. Off and on-the-job training may be provided, and vocational qualifications are available in many of these sectors.

How much does a manager or director in the creative industries earn in the UK?

Median full-time pay is £54,772 a year (Office for National Statistics).

Is a manager or director in the creative industries a growing career in the UK?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 16% by 2035, from about 57,500 to about 66,500 people (Department for Education).

Do you need a degree to become a manager or director in the creative industries?

Usually. 72% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Sources

• Office for National Statistics: Annual Population Survey: employment by occupation (April 2025 to March 2026), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• Office for National Statistics: SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions (2026-08-27 edition), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• Department for Education: Skills Imperative 2035: employment projections by occupation (2021 to 2035 (Warwick IER / Cambridge Econometrics)), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• Office for National Statistics: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14 (2025 provisional), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03