Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
•   Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Scheduling Work and Activities Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Working Life

Music managers manage bands of musicians and/or the recording, marketing and promotion of their music. A manager may be responsible for an individual band or have a specialist function in a music publishing or record company.
 
Band managers may be involved in getting a new band started by:

• raising money to purchase equipment
• finding appropriate accommodation for rehearsals
• persuading pub and club owners to provide a venue for performances
• establishing, negotiating and securing contracts with record companies

Band managers may be required to travel to venues locally, nationally and internationally.
 
Publishing companies work on behalf of songwriters by promoting songs to recording artists. They receive royalties from the sale and performance of their clients' songs. Music managers who work in the Artists and Repertoire (A and R) department of a publishing company seek out suitable or promising bands or singers and secure airtime on television and radio. They listen to tapes submitted by bands and attend live performances.
 
Music managers in record promotion companies secure airtime by telephoning, visiting and entertaining producers and inviting them to attend appropriate gigs.
 
Record companies offer music managers the opportunity to work in record production, marketing and accounts management. The production manager's role is to make sure that the right number of CDs are produced at the right time.
 
Marketing involves arranging for publicity material to be designed, prepared and distributed before the launch of a new release. Publicity material may include photographs and video films, in which case the marketing manager attends photography and filming sessions and is involved in editing.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Collect fees, commissions, or other payments, according to contract terms.
• Send samples of clients' work and other promotional material to potential employers to obtain auditions, sponsorships, or endorsement deals.
• Keep informed of industry trends and deals.
• Conduct auditions or interviews to evaluate potential clients.
• Negotiate with managers, promoters, union officials, and other persons regarding clients' contractual rights and obligations.
• Confer with clients to develop strategies for their careers, and to explain actions taken on their behalf.
• Develop contacts with individuals and organisations, and apply effective strategies and techniques to ensure their clients' success.
• Schedule promotional or performance engagements for clients.
• Arrange meetings concerning issues involving their clients.
• Manage business and financial affairs for clients, such as arranging travel and lodging, selling tickets, and directing marketing and advertising activities.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

New entrants to the music industry may start in administration, marketing, sales, music capacity and progress to managerial positions. However, competition for jobs at any level is a challenge. Appropriate university and college courses develop business skills and an understanding of the music industry. This is a highly networked occupation, with many tasks and skills required.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: business admin, customer service, project, general management, broadcast production skills, event management.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: business management, sales, marketing, music management, music performance, production, radio broadcasting, music management, law, sound engineering.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Lean Sigma Management, Finance, Sales.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: business, law, event management with public relations, commerce, audio production, music project management, arts, management, arts management, music business.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: music business, sales, business, management.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

• IMRO Irish Music Rights Organisation
• Musicians Union of Ireland 
• AIM Ireland Association of Independent Music Ireland
• Arts Council of Ireland

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €84k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Prosperity.ie/ Payscale/ Indeed/ Talent

Last Updated: July, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Librarians Archivists; curators; Journalists; newspaper and periodical editors; Public relations professionals; Advertising account managers; and creative directors.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment levels in this occupation has seen little change in recent years, with numbers employed in 2022 slightly lower than five years ago, resulting in a negative employment growth rate. The CSO Census data indicates that increases in employment related to public relations professionals and librarians. 

The numbers employed in the individual occupations are too small for any further analysis.

• Irish Management Institute

  • Clonard, Sandyford Road, Dublin 16
  • 1800 22 33 88
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Musicians' Union of Ireland

  • Click Here