Production Manager

Nova Sky Stories; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Nova Sky Stories is seeking an experienced Production Manager to lead drone show productions across the UAE. The role requires close collaboration with clients, venues, vendors, and internal teams to deliver safe, visually stunning performances.

You will manage budgets, timelines, and on-site operations, ensuring top technical and creative standards. Ideal candidates have 5+ years in event production, strong logistics and permitting expertise, and fluency in Arabic and English.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in event production, live entertainment, or related field.
• Experience from concept to execution and close.
• Strong operational expertise in logistics, vendor management, permitting, and on-site coordination.
• Proven project management and budgeting skills with accuracy and efficiency.
• Fluent in Arabic and English.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end execution of drone shows and live events in the UAE, including site surveys and on-site production management.
• Coordinate with clients, venues, vendors, pilots, designers, and safety staff to ensure high-quality shows.
• Ensure compliance with aviation regulations, airspace coordination, and local authorities.
• Develop and manage project budgets to deliver premium results efficiently.
• Create and maintain detailed project timelines and post-show reports for continuous improvement.
• Support executives in planning large-scale projects and provide hands-on problem solving on-site.
• Communicate clearly across diverse teams and stakeholders to ensure seamless execution.

Skills

Event production

Project management

Budgeting

Logistics coordination

Arabic/English bilingual

Job description

Job Description:

About Nova Sky Stories

At Nova Sky Stories, we empower artists and producers to bring awe and wonder to live audiences around the world. As the global leader in drone entertainment, we’ve been redefining live shows for over a decade—merging cutting-edge drone technology with imaginative artistry.

With a veteran team of engineers and creatives, we design and operate lightweight, small, precise, and safe drones that perform in the most demanding environments—urban centers, extreme temperatures, and high winds. The result? Sky Stories that inspire, captivate, and transform the sky into a canvas of imagination.

Headquartered in the U.S. with teams across Europe and the UAE, Nova Sky Stories works with the world’s leading brands, venues, and events.

Follow us: @NovaSkyStories

About this role:

We are seeking an experienced, hands‑on Production Manager to lead the execution of our drone shows across the UAE. This role is ideal for a collaborative, detail‑driven production professional who thrives at the intersection of creativity, technology, and live events.

You will serve as the primary production lead for upcoming shows; partnering closely with clients, venues, vendors, and internal teams to deliver safe, seamless, and visually stunning performances. Working alongside our pilots, designers, flight operations, and logistics teams, you will ensure every show is executed to the highest technical and creative standards.

As a Production Manager, you’ll be responsible for:

• Lead end-to-end execution of drone shows, including site surveys, permitting, logistics planning, vendor coordination, and on‑site production management.
• Align closely with drone operators, flight directors, technical crews, and safety personnel to deliver flawless, high‑impact performances.
• Partner with the Flight Operations team to ensure full compliance with aviation regulations, airspace coordination, and local authority requirements.
• Develop, manage, and reconcile project budgets, maintaining cost efficiency while delivering premium‑quality results.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement contingency plans addressing weather conditions, technical risks, safety protocols, and regulatory constraints.
• Oversee the technical integration of drone choreography with lighting, audio, staging, and other show elements to ensure precise synchronization.
• Coordinate with clients on media capture and marketing initiatives, including show footage, audience engagement, and post‑event promotional content.
• Create and maintain detailed project timelines, ensuring alignment across internal teams, vendors, and client stakeholders.
• Prepare post‑show reports by gathering performance data and feedback to drive continuous improvement and document best practices.
• Support Executive Producers in the planning and execution of large‑scale projects, contributing to both strategic and creative development.
• Act as a servant leader—willing to roll up your sleeves, solve problems in real time, and support the team wherever needed while guiding successful execution.

You’ll need to have:

• 5+ years of experience in event production, live entertainment, or a related field.
• Proven ability to take projects from concept through execution and close.
• Strong operational expertise in logistics, vendor management, permitting, and on‑site coordination.
• Demonstrated experience in project management and production budgeting, with a focus on accuracy and efficiency.
• Fluent in both Arabic and English.
• Based in Abu Dhabi or willing to relocate without company compensation.
• Open‑minded, humble, and eager to learn in a fast‑evolving technical environment.
• Willingness to travel locally and internationally and work flexible hours, including on‑site event execution.
• Valid UAE driver’s license and access to a vehicle.

What defines you:

• Passionate about the creative and storytelling potential of drone technology.
• Clear, confident communicator who collaborates effectively across diverse teams.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a naturally team‑oriented mindset.
• Highly organized, able to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in dynamic environments.
• Quick learner with the agility to adapt to new tools, technologies, and production approaches.
• Results‑driven with a positive, solutions‑oriented attitude.
• Comfortable giving and receiving constructive, creative feedback.
• Collaborative by nature, working closely with internal teams, clients, and external partners.
• Able to understand, discuss, and coordinate complex technical systems and how they interact within a live show environment.

If you're ready to play a key role in supporting the operational backbone of a company redefining storytelling in the sky, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now to help keep Nova Sky Stories flying high.