Entertainment Creative Manager

European Association of Zoos and Aquaria; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

European Association of Zoos and Aquaria seeks an accomplished Entertainment leader to drive creative concept development and casting across Farah’s properties in Abu Dhabi. You will oversee show content, lead audition strategies, and book talent for large-scale events, ensuring a diverse and world-class program.

Collaborating with Marketing, Venues, and production partners, you will nurture talent relationships worldwide and mentor Entertainment colleagues to build bench strength, while

Qualifications

• Requires 8+ years of management-level experience in show development and casting in large-scale environments.
• Experience managing talent/actors within entertainment settings.
• Experience in entertainment concept development, scripting, and show direction.
• Understanding of industry trends and vendors.

Responsibilities

• Lead execution of all entertainment offerings from a creative point of view.
• Lead audition and casting strategies for diverse talent needs.
• Book talent for events across Farah’s properties.
• Oversee show and event creative content with internal and external partners.
• Collaborate with Marketing and other departments to align activations with KPIs.
• Oversee talent relationships and development across properties.
• Occasional international travel as required.

Skills

Show development leadership

Casting development

Talent management

Audition strategy

Budget awareness

Education

College degree or equivalent professional experience in theatre/entertainment

Job description

ROLE SCOPE

Entertainment Creative & Casting

• Lead execution of all entertainment offerings from a creative point of view.
• Lead brainstorming sessions across the business to ensure concepts capture a wide range of ideas.
• Create and implement successful audition and casting strategies in a multicultural environment with diverse talent needs.
• Book relevant talent for special events across Farah’s portfolio of properties.
• Lead show and event creative content creation, working with internal and external partners as required.
• Prepare creative presentations and update content as required.
• Develop and maintain strong global relationships within the talent community, creative agents, managers, etc., to effectively build and maintain a solid, ongoing, and diverse talent pool.

Talent Development & Administration

• Create and implement a formal and ongoing show quality/note feedback system to help ensure and maintain high-performance standards.
• Create and implement a strategy for internal talent development that fosters and promotes growth.
• Takes part in coaching and counseling matters and provides guidance and mentorship to Entertainment colleagues to assist in developing bench strength and succession plans.
• Compile periodic rate competitiveness and comparisons.
• Offer input into event improvements: effectiveness and efficiencies.
• Additional duties as reasonably requested by senior management.

Cross-department Collaboration

• Works with Marketing and other relevant departments to ensure strategic, tactical, and core activations align with business objectives and KPI targets.
• Work directly with venue Stage Managers to identify and fill talent needs to ensure a successful 365-day operating calendar of live entertainment.
• Oversee events calendar across Farah’s properties.
• Develop and maintain strong global relationships within the entertainment production/vendor industry to help deliver the best entertainment product while maximizing budget resources.

Character Training

• Supports production and events rehearsals as needed.
• Oversees installation, execution and debris of shows/events, including hands-on work if required.
• Acts as entertainment manager on duty as requested.
• Occasional international travel as required.

Casting Strategy

• Develop show and event-related creative concepts and plans in line with existing budgets.
• Lead brainstorming sessions across the business to ensure concepts capture a wide range of ideas.
• Create and implement successful audition and casting strategies in a multicultural environment with diverse talent needs.
• Develop and maintain strong global relationships within the talent community, creative agents, managers, etc., to effectively build and maintain a solid, ongoing, and diverse talent pool.

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential:

• A college degree or equivalent professional experience is required for the position: theatrical acting, improvisational acting, physical comedy, dancing, scripting, singing, composing, or musician.
• 8+ years of experience in a theme park or large-scale attraction environment at a management level in show development and casting development within the entertainment industry.
• Experience managing talent/actors within a theme park environment.
• Experience in entertainment concept development, scripting, and show direction.
• Working knowledge of industry trends and vendors.

Desirable:

• Specialized theatrical degree, including MFA

• International experience
• Experience opening theme parks and large-scale live entertainment productions
• Working knowledge of talent contracts and robust negotiation/deal-making skills
• Demonstrated skill set within dance/choreography and music/vocals