TV/Film Production Manager
Manages the logistics, budget and operations of TV and film productions — coordinating crew, equipment, locations, schedules and finances. In Kenya's growing film and TV production sector (Nairobiwood, local TV content, international productions), production managers are essential for successful productions.
- AI exposure
- 59 of 100, moderate exposure
- Hiring trend
- Rising
- Hiring rate
- 25%
The role
What the work is, what it pays, and what it costs you.
At a glance
- Remote friendly
- No
- Freelance potential
- High
- Time to senior
- 8 years
A day in the role
Prepares the daily call sheet for a TV drama shoot — coordinating 40 crew and 10 cast members. Manages the production budget — tracking daily costs against budget. Coordinates equipment rental for a 5-day shoot — cameras, lighting, sound. Secures filming permits from the Kenya Film Commission and county government. Manages location logistics — transport, catering, facilities for 50 people on set. Reviews the production schedule — adjusting for weather delays. Prepares a weekly cost report for the producer.
What it pays
Kenyan market, per month- Entry
- KES 45,000-85,000
- Mid
- KES 100,000-220,000
- Senior
- KES 250,000-550,000
Exposure
How much of this a machine can already do, and how that was worked out.
Where this rating sits
1,516 rated careersRated above 81% of the 1,516 careers in the catalogue, which averages 43. Inside media & communication the mean is 67, across 108 careers.
Named task by task
Already automated
- AI-powered production scheduling and resource optimisation
- Automated budget tracking and cost reporting
- AI-assisted call sheet generation and crew scheduling
- Generating production reports and cost variance analysis
Still human
- Managing production budgets — preparing budgets, tracking costs, managing cash flow, cost reporting
- Managing production schedules — creating shooting schedules, call sheets, daily production reports, timeline management
- Coordinating crew — hiring and managing crew (camera, sound, lighting, art, makeup, wardrobe), contracts, payments
- Managing equipment — coordinating camera, lighting, sound equipment rental, maintenance, insurance
- Managing locations — scouting, securing permits, managing location logistics, location releases
- Managing cast logistics — travel, accommodation, per diems, scheduling for actors and presenters
- Coordinating departments — working with director, DOP, art department, post-production for smooth operations
- Ensuring compliance — safety regulations, insurance, contracts, Kenya Film Commission permits
Task counts
- Displacing
- Minimal — production management requires on-set coordination, problem-solving and human relationships.
- Augmenting
- AI scheduling and budget tracking improve efficiency.
Sources
Behind the rating- Kenya Film Commission
- Kenya TV production sector
- Streaming platform African content investment
Getting in
The routes into the role and what each one asks for.
What to study
8 courses- Diploma in Church MusicKsh 54,000a year
- Certificate in Clerical OperationsKsh 67,189a year
- Certificate in Computerized Secretarial StudiesKsh 67,189a year
- Certificate in Marketing ManagementKsh 67,189a year
- Certificate in Office AdministrationKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in Analytical BiologyKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in Highway EngineeringKsh 67,189a year
- Diploma in MarketingKsh 67,189a year
How people get in
BA Film/Media/Business + production experience
5-8 yearsVery high cost
BA Film Production, Media or Business plus progressive on-set experience — PA to coordinator to manager
Who hires
- Local TV Production Companies
- Film Studios (Nairobiwood)
- Advertising Agencies (TV Commercials)
- International Productions (filming in Kenya)
Common misconceptions
Production managers just handle logistics
Production management involves budget management, crew coordination, scheduling, compliance, problem-solving and ensuring the production stays on time and budget — a complex project management role.
What happens next
How the role changes from here, and where it leads.
Growth outlook
- Net demand change
- +12%
- Over
- 2026-2028
- Drivers
- Streaming platform African content investment,Local TV content demand,International productions in Kenya,TV commercial production
- Headwinds
- Limited budgets,Limited crew resources,Piracy affecting industry revenue
What to learn
- AI-powered production management software
- Virtual production and remote collaboration tools
- Digital workflow and cloud-based production
- Sustainable production practices
Related careers
Kenyan market notes
TV and film production is a growing sector in Kenya. Key context: Kenya has a growing local content industry — TV dramas (Citizen TV, NTV local content — Selina, Maria, Zora, etc.), Nairobiwood (local film industry — growing but small compared to Nollywood), international productions filming in Kenya (Tomb Raider, The Constant Gardener, various wildlife documentaries), and TV commercials (advertising production — major revenue). Key production companies: Phoenix Productions, Zuku Originals, various independent production companies. Regulatory: Kenya Film Commission (KFC — regulates filming, issues permits, promotes industry), Kenya Copyright Board. Key challenges: limited production budgets (Kenyan productions have much smaller budgets than Hollywood or Nollywood), limited crew and equipment resources (need to import for high-end productions), limited training programmes (no dedicated film school — USIU and Daystar offer media courses), and piracy affecting revenue. Growing demand: streaming platforms investing in African content (Netflix, Showmax — creating local content), local TV content regulations (CA requires local content quotas), and international productions choosing Kenya for locations. Salary: entry KES 45,000-85,000 (production coordinator), mid KES 100,000-220,000 (production manager), senior KES 250,000-550,000+ (line producer or head of production). Freelance production managers charge per project — KES 100,000-500,000+ depending on production scale.
Further reading
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