Summary
Film, Stage and Related Directors and Producers (KeSCO 2654) supports outcomes in the Social Sciences, Creative & Media sector by applying job-specific knowledge, standards, and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer, work setting, and seniority level, but the occupation generally requires reliability, competence, and continuous learning.
Minimum entry
Diploma or Bachelor’s degree
Future outlook
Future trends such as digital transformation, automation, climate resilience, and changing consumer needs are shaping most occupations. Workers who continuously upskill (digital literacy, quality standards, safety, customer service, and modern tools) are more resilient and competitive.
Sectors
Social Sciences, Creative & MediaProfessional ServicesPublic SectorPrivate SectorNGO/DevelopmentSpecialised Practice
Description
Film, Stage and Related Directors and Producers (KeSCO 2654) supports outcomes in the Social Sciences, Creative & Media sector by applying job-specific knowledge, standards, and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer, work setting, and seniority level, but the occupation generally requires reliability, competence, and continuous learning.
Employment prospects
Prospects depend on national and county demand, sector investment, policy priorities, and supply of trained workers. Job seekers improve prospects by gaining practical experience, building a portfolio or track record, earning relevant certifications, and being flexible on location and sub-sector.
Tasks
- Set goals, plans, and performance targets aligned to organisational strategy
- Develop budgets, allocate resources, and monitor utilisation
- Supervise staff: assign duties, coach performance, and conduct appraisals
- Coordinate inter-departmental work and manage stakeholder expectations
- Oversee policy implementation, governance, and compliance requirements
- Manage projects and programmes: planning, execution, monitoring, reporting
- Monitor risks, implement controls, and respond to incidents or crises
- Strengthen service delivery through process improvement and innovation
- Oversee procurement/contract management and vendor performance
- Represent the organisation in meetings, negotiations, and public engagements
- Ensure timely reporting, documentation, and accountability requirements
- Promote ethical conduct, transparency, and a results-oriented culture
Skills
Communication (verbal and written) | Teamwork and collaboration | Problem-solving and critical thinking | Time management and prioritisation | Attention to detail and accuracy | Customer service orientation | Integrity and ethical conduct | Adaptability and continuous learning | Decision-making and judgement | Documentation and record-keeping | Digital literacy (basic) | Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Core skills
- Communication (verbal and written)
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Time management and prioritisation
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Customer service orientation
- Integrity and ethical conduct
- Adaptability and continuous learning
- Decision-making and judgement
- Documentation and record-keeping
- Digital literacy (basic)
- Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Technical skills
- Use of hand and power tools safely
- Installation, maintenance, and repair procedures
- Reading drawings/specifications and measurements
- Troubleshooting and fault diagnosis
- Quality control and workmanship standards
- Equipment handling and preventive maintenance
- Workplace safety and PPE usage
- Basic electrical/mechanical principles (as relevant)
- Material handling and storage
- Site readiness and task planning
- Compliance with standards and inspections
Transferable skills
- Leadership and supervision (as one progresses)
- Negotiation and stakeholder management
- Conflict resolution
- Presentation and public speaking
- Creativity and innovation
- Emotional intelligence
- Planning and organisation
- Resilience and stress management
- Service mindset and empathy
- Networking and relationship building
- Analytical thinking
- Professionalism and work discipline
Certifications
- Trade test / competency certification (where applicable)
- Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) certification (strongly recommended)
- Equipment-specific operator certification (where applicable)
- First Aid certification (recommended in many workplaces)
Education
Specialised degree in the relevant discipline | Graduate internship/attachments where applicable | Professional registration/licensing where regulated | Experience-based progression into senior/specialist roles
Pathways
- Specialised degree in the relevant discipline
- Graduate internship/attachments where applicable
- Professional registration/licensing where regulated
- Experience-based progression into senior/specialist roles
Relevant courses
- Diploma/Certificate in Electrical/Electronics Engineering
- Diploma/Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
- Civil/Construction Technology
- Welding and Fabrication
- Plumbing and Pipefitting
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
- Automotive Mechanics
- Plant/Machine Operation
- Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)
- CAD/Draughting basics
Institutions
- Universities (accredited public and private universities offering relevant programmes)
- National Polytechnics and TVET institutions (diploma, certificate, artisan programmes)
- Technical Training Institutes and Vocational Centres
- Professional Colleges and Accredited Training Academies
- Sector Training Authorities and Recognised Centres of Excellence
- Employer-based Academies and Apprenticeship Programmes
- Online Learning Platforms (supplementary; verify recognition for regulated fields)
- Industry Associations and Professional Bodies (short courses/CPD)
Minimum requirements
- Minimum education: Diploma or Bachelor’s degree
- Basic literacy and numeracy (reading, writing, and basic calculations)
- Good conduct, reliability, and professional behaviour
- Ability to follow instructions, procedures, and workplace rules
- Basic digital literacy where the role uses computers/phones
- Physical/medical fitness where the role is physically demanding or safety-sensitive
- Regulatory registration/licensing where required (profession-dependent)
- Background checks/clearance for sensitive roles where applicable
Work context
Workplace policies | Team collaboration | Quality standards | Professional environment | Standards compliance | Reporting
Where they work
- Public sector institutions, private companies, NGOs and community-based organisations depending on the sector.
Work setting
Not specified.
Schedule
Full-time commonDaytime hours commonDeadlines possible
Employment type
Formal employment possible
Earnings
Entry level
KES 50,000 – 120,000
Mid level
KES 120,000 – 250,000
Entry-level typical range (illustrative): KES 50,000 – 120,000 | Mid-level typical range (illustrative): KES 120,000 – 250,000 | Senior/experienced typical range (illustrative): KES 250,000+ | Earnings vary by employer (public/private), location, allowances, commissions, overtime, risk factors, and scarcity of skills
How to become one
Complete a degree in the relevant discipline, undertake internships or graduate programmes and meet any professional registration or licensing requirements.
Career progression
- Entry/Intern → Junior Practitioner → Mid-level → Senior Specialist
- Senior Specialist → Team Lead/Principal → Manager/Head of Unit (where applicable)
- Some pathways include consultancy, research, training, or policy roles
Related occupations
- Other occupations within the same KeSCO major group
- Support roles in the same sector/industry
- Supervisory roles related to this occupation’s work area
- Specialist variants of the same occupation (where they exist)
Occupation titles
2654-11 — Documentary director
Documentary director is a professional role responsible for edits films and documentaries helps editor and camera crew to build storyboard, ensure that actors and the documentary crew interpret a script based on the film’s narrative style; read scripts and working on its continued development develop, plan, and oversee documentary projects from concept to final cut; conduct research and interviews to support factual storytelling within the creative and performing arts sector.
2654-12 — Film editor
Film editor is a professional role responsible for assemble footage of feature films, television shows, documentaries, and industrials into a seamless end product; develop storyboards and editing sequences to mixing sound tracks and creating visual effects within the creative and performing arts sector.
2654-21 — Lighting Artist
Lighting Artist is a professional role responsible for use light to enhance the atmosphere, tone, depth and mood of a scene; input different light effects depending on the factors in a frame or scene within the creative and performing arts sector.
2654-23 — Live Action Director
Live Action Director is a professional role responsible for select cast members, conducts rehearsal and direct the work of the cast and crew within the creative and performing arts sector.
2654-13 — Motion Picture director
Motion Picture director is a professional role responsible for reading and editing scripts; directing motion picture crews and actors; overseeing the production of the final motion picture selects the cast members, production design and all the creative aspects of filmmaking within the creative and performing arts sector.
2654-14 — Photography director
Photography director is a professional role responsible for supervise the camera crew to decide on any special camera moves; work closely with the lighting team to decide on lighting techniques within the creative and performing arts sector.
2654-22 — Stage and Film Director
Stage and Film Director is a professional role responsible for oversees and control the technical and artistic aspects of motion pictures, television or radio productions and stage shows; he in charge of the physical stage area of theatres as well as the technical aspects such as lighting, sound, props and scenery within the creative and performing arts sector.
2654-15 — Stage director
Stage director is a professional role responsible for directs actors for a show to be performed on stage | auditions cast actors; assemble and oversee the production team within the creative and performing arts sector.
2654-16 — Technical director
Technical director is a professional role responsible for design sets, oversee artists and construction workers, and help determine the overall look of a film production; operates, protects and maintains the theater's technical assets within the creative and performing arts sector.
2654-17 — Technical television or radio director
Technical television or radio director is a professional role responsible for control the quality of pictures and sound for television or radio programs; coordinate activities of technical departments, , to produce radio or television programs within the creative and performing arts sector.
2654-18 — Theatre Producer
Theatre Producer is a professional role responsible for oversees all aspects of mounting a theatre production he is responsible for the overall financial and managerial functions of a production within the creative and performing arts sector.