Overview of the role
A floor manager is an essential part of any live or recorded production, acting as the key link between the director in the studio gallery/OB truck and the on-stage or on-location activity. They are responsible for ensuring good communication so that everything on the studio floor or at the event location runs smoothly, safely, and to schedule, whether during a complex outside broadcast or a fast-paced live studio show.
The floor manager manages their on-site responsibilities in real time, including the positioning and readiness of contributors, cueing talent, keeping the audience informed, and maintaining clear communication between departments. They work closely with the on-screen talent, contributors, director, script supervisor, producers, camera operators, and sound crew to deliver a seamless broadcast.
One of the most important requirements for the is a calm head, along with strong leadership, precise timing, adaptability, and excellent interpersonal skills, as well as enthusiasm. All these are required for juggling multiple requests and solving problems on the fly, all while keeping the floor calm, informed, and professional.
The majority of people working in this role have worked their way up from a runner or studio assistant position. Showing enthusiasm and aptitude for the role, offering to shadow or stand in to gain experience.
Core responsibilities
These core responsibilities are provided as a guide and are not exhaustive. The exact responsibilities in a particular job will vary depending on the scale, budget, genre of the production and whether the project is a series or a feature documentary.
- Attend technical rehearsals to establish a full understanding of the production's layout, timing, movement of people and set, camera positions, and cue points in advance of the broadcast.
- Stand-in for talent and contributors, confidently reading scripts and autocue when required.
- Act as the primary liaison between the gallery and the studio/event floor, relaying directions from the director in real time to any presenters, contributors, performers or audience.
- Brief presenters, contributors, and guests on timings, safety protocols, running orders, and movement during the show.
- Coordinate talent, crew, and props to ensure everyone and everything is in place and prepared ahead of live or recorded segments.
- Monitor and maintain studio or set safety, including enforcing guidelines when required.
- Ensure compliance with broadcast standards regarding contributor welfare and accessibility.
- Be alert to the needs of the production, anticipate problems, and resolve them quickly without disrupting the show flow, using clear and decisive actions, as well as a level of discretion.
- Oversee the floor team, including runners and assistants, assigning tasks and ensuring efficient coverage across areas on camera.
- Keep all contributors, including presenters, performers and audience of any requirements needed during the broadcast.
- Maintain order and professionalism on set, ensuring quiet during recordings and smooth transitions between set get-ins, scenes or segments.
- Suggest any noticeable schedule changes and workarounds to the gallery during rehearsals.
- Communicate any technical issues or unexpected delays to the gallery, often suggesting practical workarounds or timing adjustments.
- Coordinate live elements such as audience interaction, set changes, or prop swaps, ensuring they happen without disruption.
- Keep the on-screen talent updated on changes to the running order, script amendments, or safety protocols as they arise.
- Take part in pre-production planning and technical meetings to understand the creative and logistical vision for the show.
- Have an understanding of production, lighting, sound, and camera teams to ensure good communication, set-up and that the show aligns with the overall vision.
- Support the director and script supervisors by cueing contributors precisely according to the timing and editorial requirements.
- Manage talkback communication from the gallery and interpret it effectively for on-floor execution.
- Facilitate effective working relationships between on-site contributors and gallery-based production personnel.
- Ensure cues, entrances, transitions, and ad breaks are delivered precisely and cleanly in tandem with the gallery.
- Communicate last-minute adjustments on the floor, such as contributor changes, set reconfigurations, or timing tweaks.
- Maintain a calm, confident presence during live transmission, providing reassurance and clarity to contributors and crew.
- Support the delivery of live inserts, competitions, or interactive elements on location or in the studio.
- Assist with de-rig when needed, ensuring contributors are debriefed and the set is cleared and reset for future segments or recordings.
- Create a professional, supportive atmosphere where contributors and crew feel respected and informed.
- Lead by example, maintaining a composed and approachable presence, especially during high-pressure moments.
- Encourage junior team members to take initiative and grow within the department.
- Keep communication lines open with the gallery and production team to ensure the floor is never out of step with the editorial or technical plan.
- Offer feedback after transmission or record to improve workflow, highlight successes, and flag any recurring challenges.
Skills
Check out role specific skills, transferable skills and attributes for the role of floor manager.
- Excellent communicator: able to interpret and relay instructions calmly, clearly, and concisely to a wide range of people.
- Calm under pressure: keeps a level head during live transmissions, quick changes, and technical setbacks.
- Strong organisational skills: managing complex floor environments with multiple moving parts under tight time constraints while being across the script, running order and schedule.
- Thorough understanding of live production: familiar with broadcast workflows, timing, cueing, and on-set protocols.
- Confidence with talent: comfortable directing presenters, contributors, and high-profile guests in a professional, respectful manner, exercising discretion when required.
- Quick thinker: able to make fast decisions and adjust plans in real time without disrupting the broadcast.
- Meticulous: attention to detail, ensuring every element on the floor is as expected, from talent positions to safety protocols and timing.
- Confident: able to stand-in for talent and read scripts or autocue, acting out contributor roles during block throughs and rehearsals when required.
- Awareness of surroundings: being conscious and aware of surroundings on set and pre-empting any possible issues with talent, contributors, audience and set changes.
- Calm: the most important skill is being calm in an often fast-paced pressured environment.
- Time management: aligns with the gallery to keep the production to schedule by maintaining tight control of workings on the floor.
- Problem solving: works to find immediate solutions to on-site challenges, whether technical, logistical, or contributor-related.
- Adaptability: able to respond to changes in script, running order, or floor layout with flexibility and professionalism.
- Team leadership: guides a floor team effectively, providing clear tasks and motivating them to work smoothly together.
- Strong people skills: builds good relationships with contributors and production personnel, often acting as the face of the crew on the floor, while instinctively reading people’s needs and requirements.
- Proactive: always one step ahead, anticipating needs before they arise.
- Reliable: a consistent point of calm and control during fast-paced or high-pressure shoots.
- Discreet: handles sensitive information and contributor concerns with professionalism.
- Inclusive: fosters a positive and respectful atmosphere for all contributors and crew.
- Resilient: bounces back from setbacks and stays focused across long shoots or multiple takes.
- Professional: maintains high standards of conduct and communication throughout production.
- Clear-headed: prioritises needs of the production effectively in stressful situations and communicates calmly under pressure.