Music promotions manager

music promoter
Bookmark
Performing arts and media
Support

Career outlook for music promotions manager

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£24,000

Experienced

£65,000


Currently employed in Scotland

39,400

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would get publicity for bands, musicians and singers to sell their records or promote live music events and tours.

You’d need to have huge knowledge of music and build up a network of contacts of people working in the music industry.

If you work for a record company or artist you world:

  • Write press releases to publicise your client's music or tour
  • Organise events like media interviews and personal appearances
  • Go to publicity events with clients
  • Get airtime on radio and TV shows
  • Organise tours
  • Deal with designers, printers and marketing staff
  • Negotiate contracts
  • Listen to new acts and decide whether to offer them a contract

You could also work as a promoter for a live music venue or festival.

You would:

  • Choose and book suitable acts
  • Deal with agents, caterers and suppliers
  • Arrange a full programme of gigs
  • Identify the target audiences
  • Organise marketing and publicity
  • Arrange entertainment licences

Your work might also involve dealing with budgets and administration.

Working conditions

Hours

Your working hours would vary. You might go to concerts and events at night, and deal with administration and promotional events during the day.

Environment

You would have an office base, but you will spend a lot of your time going to music venues and promotional events.

Travel

You will spend a lot of your time going to music venues and promotional events. This can involve travelling around the UK and possibly overseas, and periods staying away from home.

UK employment status

Full-time

86%

Part-time

9%

Self employed

4%

Create a qualification route

We've found some examples of the qualifications that could help you get this job.

Discover my route

Search course options

Thinking about your future? There are lots of courses available that could interest you. Use our course search to explore course options.

Find courses

Search job opportunities

If you're looking for your new career our job search can help you. Discover interesting opportunities and decide your next steps.

Find a job

Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.

  • Building relationships
  • Cooperating
  • Verbal communication
  • Written communication
  • Creative
  • Researching
  • Attention to detail
  • Developing a plan
  • Time management

Skills Explorer

Your skills can help you choose the career that's right for you. You can build your skills through work, study or activities you do in your spare time.

Our Skills Explorer tool will help you understand what skills you have and match them to jobs that might suit you.

Use the Skills Explorer tool

Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Qualifications

You do not need formal qualifications to enter this job but you will need experience of the music world and an industry network.

It is highly competitive.  When you apply for a job employers will expect you to have done a lot of work experience.

You can get into a Music Business, Marketing of Events Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF level 8) with National 4/5 qualifications and one to tow Highers or equivalent qualifications.  

Entry to a degree (SCQF level 9/10) usually requires National 5 qualifications and a minimum of four Highers at BBBC or above or a relevant HNC/HND.

Useful subjects

  • English (required by many courses)
  • Maths (required by many courses) 
  • Media
  • Business
  • Economics
  • Social studies subjects

You will also need

Knowledge and experience of the music industry.

Helpful to have

A driving licence