The Day-to-Day as a Video Manager
A Video Manager is responsible for guiding the development of media assets into a complete video project. They might work on digital advertisements, television shows, or movies. They sometimes work on a team with videographers, writers, sound engineers, photographers, motion graphics creators, or digital marketers. Video Managers can also work freelance which can mean they’re working alone most of the time but may also mean they’re collaborating with a team remotely.
Video Managers execute tasks like planning, overseeing asset creation, liaising between clients and creators, scripting, storyboarding, and video editing. A Video Manager’s work schedule is determined by their deadlines. They may have to work overtime some weeks while having others work out to a mostly 9 am to 5 pm schedule. Some Video Managers work onsite in a studio, others work from home, and a small subset travel for their work. They can find employment at production companies, marketing agencies, broadcasters, and studios.
What Skills Should Video Managers Have?
Video Managers must be skilled communicators both with their clients and in the videos they create. They’ll need to be able to glean the story their client wants to tell and make sure that the videos they manage emulate that story. They’ll need to clearly communicate their ideas before, while editing, and within the videos that they help create. Because a Video Manager typically works on a team, they’ll also need to be able to lead that team and interface with them clearly.
Video Managers should be skilled at storyboarding, scripting, guiding the development of media assets, organizing media assets, and video editing. Depending on the company, a Video Editor may be required to be proficient in Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and Adobe After Effects. They should have experience working with professional cameras, preproduction planning, studio and field production, lighting, audio recording, and audio editing, as well as post-production.
Video Managers will need to be able to manage large amounts of digital media assets, work on deadlines, and work with a team. Organization, workflow planning, time management, and constant communication are key for this role. Most in-house Video Managers will need to manage a budget, allocate resources, rent equipment, and set deadlines for the entire project. These added layers of responsibility may vary by employer.
Learn the Skills You Need to Become a Video Manager
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Video Editing
Video editing is most commonly the use of digital software to manipulate and organize video and sound files into a final deliverable. Video Editors use software like Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, Filmora, and others to create videos that compel, convert, inform, or tell a story.
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After Effects
After Effects is a computer software application developed by Adobe used to create visual effects and motion graphics. After Effects is used in the process of creating films, video games, television series, and other videos. It is most commonly used for keying, tracking, compositing, and animation.
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Premiere Pro
Premiere Pro is a timeline-based video editing software application developed by Adobe. Premiere Pro is used to edit videos for film, tv, and the web.
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Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro is a series of video editing software owned and distributed by Apple. Final Cut Pro allows users to edit complex project with large frame sizes, high frame rates, and effects that was engineered for speed.
Video Manager Salaries
A Video Manager in the United States makes, on average, $69,762 annually, according to Indeed.com.
Salaries for Video Managers vary by region within the the United States. Listed below are some Video Manager salaries for specific areas with the United States compared with the average national salary:
- U.S. Average $69K source n/a
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Dallas, TX
$166K
source
+138.37%
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Fairfax, VA
$135K
source
+94.19%
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Washington, D.C.
$104K
source
+49.18%
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Orange County, CA
$87K
source
+24.95%
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New York City
$87K
source
+24.87%
-
Los Angeles, CA
$82K
source
+18.92%
- U.S. Average $69K source n/a
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Alexandria, VA
$64K
source
-7.58%
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Chicago, IL
$62K
source
-9.7%
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Houston, TX
$51K
source
-25.77%
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Miami, FL
$42K
source
-39.51%
Typical Qualifications to Become a Video Manager
Most Video Manager positions will expect some formal education in media such as television, radio, film, sound, or other digital communications. Many Video Managers have a bachelor’s degree but there are opportunities for those who do not have a higher education. Video Managers must have some experience working as a Videographer and Video Editor. There are no specific certifications for this role, but it may benefit you to join a guild, union, or association at some point in your career.
Searching for Video Manager Jobs
Video Managers can find employment at production companies, marketing agencies, broadcasters, and studios.There are many job boards for video professionals working in entertainment. Most unions, associations, and guilds also offer a job board for their members. By far, the best way to land a job as a Video Manager is through networking, though. Stay on top of networking and consistently submit applications for positions listed on job boards.
You can find Video Manager jobs on these sites:
- ProductionHUB
- Indeed
- Glassdoor
- Google Jobs
- Entertainment Careers
- Stage32
- Media Match
- Cinematcher
- Creative Circle
- Simply Hired
You can find freelance Video Manager jobs on these sites:
Tips to Become a Video Manager
The Video Manager position is usually reserved for an expert videographer and, as such, applicants should be able to supply a well-rounded portfolio showcasing their videography skills. A Video Manager candidate should showcase their portfolio online, either on a website or a video sharing platform. Additionally, a strong social media presence that is professional and displays your content will boost you in searches.
Both traditional and freelance Video Managers should make connections with owners and hiring managers of video production companies. This can be done via letters of introduction in emails or on LinkedIn or through in-person meetups and informational interviews. Be sure to research the people and companies you’re making connections with beforehand to make a solid connection. Networking on a daily basis is imperative for new Video Managers looking for work as a freelancer or in-house. Consider joining Facebook groups and being active in at least one per day. It’s easy networking and you’ll often find job openings posted in groups that aren’t posted anywhere else.
If you plan to work freelance as a Video Manager, and even if you plan to apply for in-house positions, you should also reach out to ask anyone you’ve previously worked with for a testimonial. You can ask for these through LinkedIn so that they show up on your profile and then display them on your website as well. Consider asking any of the people you’ve previously worked with that you enjoyed working with for a referral. They may know of some open gigs or people you can connect with.
If you don’t have any experience and need to build your portfolio, consider reaching out to family, friends, or local small businesses to get some experience working for free or freelance for an introductory rate. Providing work for low costs when you’re first starting out can also open doors to networking opportunities. Create content for the job that you want in the niche, style, and industry that you want to work. You might try an internship or apprenticeship program if you’re having trouble landing a position.
What Job Titles Would a Video Manager Hold?
Video Managers will likely have held positions like Videographer or Video Editor in the past. They can often find upward mobility from those positions within that same company or they could be looking to level up outside of that company. Video Manager positions are often built into higher level production roles, Video Editor jobs, or managerial positions at some companies.
Video Managers can search for these job titles:
- Video Manager
- Video Production Manager
- Director of Video
- Video Operations Producer
- Video Producer
- Video Content Marketing Manager
- Video Operations Manager
Related Careers
If you’re not quite ready for a management role yet, you can work as a Video Editor. Most Video Managers have held the Video Editor Role at some point in their career. If you’re good with animation, you might consider working as a Motion Graphics Designer, 2D Animator, or 3D Animator. You can transition into one of these more hands-on roles by working on your animation skills, learning the proper software for these roles, and creating a demo reel for your portfolio. Of the related careers we’ve listed here, Video Mangers will have the highest salary, but Motion Graphics Designer and Video Editor come in at a close second.
Salary Comparison to Video Manager
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3D Animator
$70K
+0.6%
- Video Manager $69K n/a
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Video Editor
$61K
-11.39%
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2D Animator
$56K
-18.67%
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Video Editor
Indeed.com Avg. Salary
$61K / year
Glassdoor Avg. Salary
$63K / year
Video editors work on films from script to post-production. Working closely with their teams, they help with script and storyboard development, sound editing, and video layouts. Video editors are responsible for ensuring sequence and continuity throughout the film. They work with producers and directors as they develop treatments and storytelling approaches.
Learn about becoming a Video Editor -
2D Animator
Indeed.com Avg. Salary
$56K / year
Glassdoor Avg. Salary
$74K / year
2D animators develop storyboards, characters, and backgrounds to bring stories to life in 2D. Working with software such as Adobe After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, and 2D animators provide creative support to art directors in a variety of industries. 2D animators can work for studios or design firms, or as freelance independent contractors.
Learn about becoming a 2D Animator -
3D Animator
Indeed.com Avg. Salary
$70K / year
Glassdoor Avg. Salary
$94K / year
3D animators take ideas and turn them into three-dimensional images and animations. Using their understanding of human and animal movement, 3d animators can create rich, realistic experiences. 3d animators work on movies and games, as well as some websites and online media. 3d animators create amusement park experiences such as those at Walt Disney World or Universal Studios.
Learn about becoming a 3D Animator -
Motion Graphics Designer
Glassdoor Avg. Salary
$74K / year
Motion Graphics Designers, sometimes referred to as MoGraph professionals, use visual effects and animation to create artwork for: television, film, tech devices, software, live-video, video games, applications, and the web.
Learn about becoming a Motion Graphics Designer