What does a Venue Manager do?
There is a world of work to be done at a venue before and after fans descend for a show. The person in charge of getting it done is the venue manager, who supervises the day-to-day operations of a club or concert hall. With administrative, logistical, and creative duties in both the front- and back-of-house, there's never a dull moment.
At a Glance
One of the most senior positions in the venue, venue managers typically begin their careers by performing one or more entry-level roles involved in the daily operation of a venue, such as usher, bartender, stage manager, or box office associate. Diversity of experience is vital, as the venue manager needs to understand every facet of running a venue in order to delegate tasks effectively and solve problems that arise. As this position is the top of the ladder, venue managers may advance by finding jobs at larger or more prestigious venues, by managing multiple venues (typically through a larger venue management organization), or by starting their own venue as a business owner.
Venue managers typically work for nightclubs, theaters, concert halls, amphitheaters, and larger venue management companies. They may find positions through business connections, job listings, or word-of-mouth, or be promoted internally.
- Personnel management
- Concert booking and promotion
- Operations
- Accounting
- Written and verbal communication
- Contract negotiation
Because running a venue is predicated on building an effective team, the best managers have exceptional communication, leadership, and multitasking skills. Time management is critical: venue managers need to know how to delegate tasks well, work quickly and effectively, and keep multiple balls in the air.
The work life of a venue manager varies greatly based on factors such as management style, venue size, and staff structure. Some venue managers work fairly regular schedules, spending the majority of their time in the office making calls, building schedules, and handling paperwork.
