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Creative, Arts, & ExpressionStable

Talent Director

Mid-level

Also known as: Artist Manager, Artistic Director, Casting Agent, Casting Coordinator

Creative, Arts, & ExpressionBachelor's Degree

Job Description

As a Talent Director, you find the right people for roles in stage plays, television shows, movies, or radio. You audition and interview performers, carefully selecting the most appropriate talent for each part. You'll spend most of your time indoors, working closely with others, communicating through emails and phone calls, and making important decisions about production tasks and goals. This role is ideal if you enjoy evaluating performances, making critical choices, and guiding creative projects.
Casting DirectionPerforming ArtsFilm & Television ProductionEntertainment IndustryManagementHuman ResourcesCreative DirectionCreativeMediaEntertainment

Skills employers are looking for in 2027

Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.

In-demand software
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft PowerPointSalesforce software

Job Outlook 2025-2035

Projected growth

+4%

US average: +3.5%

Job openings

12,100

per year (US)

Jobs today

181,000

in 2025 → 188,300 (2035)

Typical entry education

Bachelor's degree

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook. Read the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

Work Environment

How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.

Email & digital communication
High
Working in a team
High
Contact with others
High
Freedom to make decisions
High
Time pressure
Moderate
Time spent sitting
High
Working outdoors
Low
Indoor, climate-controlled
High
Dealing with customers
High
Level of competition
Moderate

Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)

Future Perspective

Stable Job Market

The job outlook for Talent Directors is stable, with about 12,100 openings expected each year through 2035. Employment in this field is projected to grow by 4.0% in the coming decade. You can expect a median annual wage of $90,360, with opportunities to advance into more senior production or casting roles.

Career ladder

Often before this role

  • Casting Assistant
  • Production Assistant
  • Assistant Director

Where it can lead

  • Executive Producer
  • Studio Casting Director
  • Artistic Director

Impact of AI on this Job

AI will increasingly assist Talent Directors by streamlining initial candidate screenings, analyzing vast databases of performer profiles, and even predicting audience reception to certain casting choices. While the final decision remains human, AI tools will enhance efficiency in talent discovery and help identify diverse skill sets more effectively. This allows directors to focus on artistic interpretation and human connection.