Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

The Work

A producer has responsibility for the overall production of either a TV or radio programme, or a theatrical, dance or film production. The work they do will vary depending on what is being produced.

TV & Radio Show Producer

The producer for a specific TV or radio show is rarely seen or heard. He/She works behind the scenes and performs tasks such as reviewing new ideas and topics for a show, booking and prepping guests, vetting stories thoroughly, background research, supervising studio recordings, managing and signing off on the final the production.

The radio producer often also operate the technical controls, such as sound volume levels, recording software and the switchboard, to ensure everything runs smoothly and to allow the presenter to concentrate on their work.

TV/Film Producer

In TV and Film production, the work of the Producer is to obtain financial support for the production from potential investors, funders and contributors. The Producer develops the initial idea or concept together with the screen writers, editor and director. The Producer then determines the markets for the project and plans, co-ordinates and monitors appropriate promotional and marketing strategies for it.

He/she determines the resources needed for the production, which can include cast, crew and facilities and prepares budget plans together with the Production Accountant. There is quite a difference between the production of TV documentaries and those of feature films. Documentaries are characterised by small crews and roles are often merged, as Producer/Director for example.  

The Producer hires the production team, together with the Director and Craft Supervisors (who will often bring their own team to a production), which involves negotiating terms with the appropriate Trade Unions, taking account of National Agreements. He/she oversees the preparation of the production schedule and monitors the progress of the production in terms of budget, schedule and the creative brief.

The producer is also responsible for the health and safety of the working environment and must negotiate insurance packages with insurance companies.

It can be a very pressurised position as many others depend on the producer to secure funding and deliver on budget. But equally, the rewards can be very high when the end result emerges.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Write and edit news stories from information collected by reporters and other sources.
• Plan details such as framing, composition, camera movement, sound, and actor movement for each shot or scene.
• Communicate to actors the approach, characterisation, and movement needed for each scene in such a way that rehearsals and takes are minimised.
• Direct live broadcasts, films and recordings, or non-broadcast programming for public entertainment or education.
• Coordinate the activities of writers, directors, managers, and other personnel throughout the production process.
• Study and research scripts to determine how they should be directed.
• Supervise and coordinate the work of camera, lighting, design, and sound crew members.
• Confer with technical directors, managers, crew members, and writers to discuss details of production, such as photography, script, music, sets, and costumes.
• Research production topics using the internet, video archives, and other informational sources.
• Review film, recordings, or rehearsals to ensure conformance to production and broadcast standards.

Further Information

• Producer - from: GradIreland
• Producer - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Although it is not always necessary, many producers have some formal training in media. The most common course subjects include Film and theatrical production, communication, and journalism.

Getting a job as a producer requires hard work and dedication. Many producers have spent years working in various level roles in media on tasks such as; researching, reporting, and writing scripts. However, some come from a financial and project management background.

Successful producers may progress to an executive producer role, be responsible for several projects, or they may go on to run their own production companies.

Producers are true multitasker and have qualities that can be used in a wide range of careers, including project management, publishing, marketing and public relations to name a few.

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Media production, Management, Broadcasting in centres around Ireland at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Creative digital media, TV & Film studies, Film production, Media studies, management, journalism around Ireland at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO Entry: Digital media, TV & Film production, Media & Communication, Arts & media studies, journalism & writing, Marketing, Finance & management NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study Options Arts & Media, Managment NFQ level 9

Screen skills Work based learning programs  Training for production staff may be on-the-job. The company may organise short off-the-job courses for trainees.  

IFTV Irish Film & Television network For a list of TV/ Film production companies and Career roles

Careersinscreen

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €28k - €60k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, project budget, and role.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Glassdoor/ Indeed

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2025).

Employment growth was below average for this occupation; having peaked at 36,000 in 2022, levels have declined annually since. The CSO Labour Force Survey does not allow for a detailed breakdown of job titles within this occupation, but Census 2022 showed that over a quarter were graphic designers, with other key roles including actors, authors/writers, photographers, artists and arts officers.

Employment permits issued in 2024 were for roles including actors, directors, producers, animators, graphic designers, linguists (ICT), dancers, and costume/set designers. Online job adverts (Eurostat/CEDEFOP) related mainly to jobs for authors, journalists & translators; although small in number, green skills mentioned in ads for journalists is most likely linked to the green economy to inform and generate awareness.

Overall, the data does not point to any significant issues in sourcing skills for this occupation.

• Irish Film and Television Network

  • First Floor, Palmerstown Centre, Kennelsfort Road, Dublin 20
  • 01 905 3595
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Radio Telefis Eireann (RTE)

  • Donnybrook, Dublin 4
  • (01) 208 3111
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• SIPTU (Arts Culture Print and Media Sector)

  • Liberty Hall, Dublin 1
  • (01) 8586300
  • Click Here

• Screen Producers Ireland (SPI)

  • 77 Merrion Square, Dublin 2
  • (01) 662 1114
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland

  • Queensgate, 23 Dock Road, Galway
  • (091) 561398
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Film Institute

  • 6 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
  • (01) 679 5744
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here