Entertainment Creative Senior Manager

Role Overview

Senior Manager, Entertainment Creative at Miral Destinations. This role leads strategic entertainment casting, creative development, and talent management across Miral Experiences Theme Parks, collaborating with Creative, Production, Marketing, Events, and HR teams to ensure alignment with artistic goals, brand and IP standards, and operational excellence.

Role Purpose

To guide the creative process from conceptualization through final approval, manage casting pipelines locally and internationally, and support seamless integration of new talent into the entertainment ecosystem. The role inspires and mentors creative and casting teams while maintaining a positive, innovative, and professional environment that drives consistent quality and growth in all entertainment initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Entertainment Creative & Casting

• Lead strategic planning and execution of all entertainment casting activities across Miral Experiences Theme Parks, including Face Characters, Animators, and Specialty Acts.
• Ensure casting aligns with creative direction and operational requirements.
• Manage and conduct in-person auditions locally and internationally, as well as online auditions.
• Oversee the online casting platform, maintaining timely communication and quality assurance in the selection process.
• Collaborate with the Creative Director and IP representatives to conceptualize, curate, and maintain creative content aligned with brand identity, show vision, and shareholder expectations.
• Partner with scenic, costume, lighting, and sound designers and technicians to ensure all technical and visual elements of productions support and enhance the overall creative vision.
• Guide and mentor the creative team throughout the development process, supporting scripting, choreography, and music direction.
• Foster innovation and professional growth within creative teams.
• Ensure creative and casting initiatives meet high artistic standards, reflect current industry trends, and are delivered on time and within scope.

Talent Development & Administration

• Lead and manage the audition and casting process, ensuring talent is appropriately placed in roles that align with creative vision and production needs.
• Participate in interviews and complete casting-related documentation with Talent Acquisition.
• Ensure all HR processes are followed for onboarding.
• Collect, organize, and maintain audition materials for both live and online submissions.
• Ensure accurate documentation and compliance with casting protocols.
• Develop and update casting communications, including email templates and website content.
• Maintain clarity, professionalism, and alignment with brand standards in all communications.
• Coach and guide talent throughout rehearsals and performances to help them develop into their roles.
• Ensure consistency in delivery and performance quality.
• Identify and address performance issues during rehearsals or live shows in a professional and constructive manner.
• Submit scripts, performance material, and other relevant creative assets for review and approval by IP stakeholders and brand representatives.
• Attend production and creative development meetings.

Cross-Department Collaboration

• Strategize and prepare with the wider Creative team, Operations teams, and Talent Acquisition to fill replacement positions in a timely manner.
• Avoid disruption to Operations through proactive planning.
• Work with the HR onboarding team to ensure smooth transition from Talent Acquisition to Entertainment Operations.
• Ensure appropriate cast arrival time and subsequent training plans.
• Work with appropriate teams to build a website to house all casting submissions.
• Market Miral Entertainment opportunities through digital platforms.

Character Training

• Support character training across all properties, when required.
• Lead the Character Trainers in their respective roles to work at the highest standard and achieve artistic goals.
• Develop and conduct training plans for animators and performers to maintain world-class offerings.
• Critique performances based on creative elements such as timing and energy of performers.
• Evaluate adherence to blocking, choreography, script and skill delivery, immersive storytelling and improvisation.

Casting Strategy

• Strategize with the wider Creative team to create a successful annual audition tour to hire cast across all properties.
• Align casting strategy with business budget support and needs.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• University degree required in theatrical and production directing, acting, improvisational acting, physical comedy, dancing, scripting, singing, composing or musician, or equivalent professional experience for the required position.
• 5 or more years of experience with a specialization in amusement parks, circuses, or cruise ship entertainment industry in both large-scale productions and interactive experiential entertainment.
• 5 or more years in Music Theater or Large-Scale Productions.
• 5 or more years in management or leadership in entertainment development and maintenance.
• Proven experience in entertainment casting, including leading in-person and online auditions as well as interview processes.
• Strong background in creative development for live performances, with demonstrated skills in areas such as scripting, choreography, music, vocals, or musicianship.
• Ability to deliver performance reviews and constructive feedback to talent with professionalism and clarity.
• Professional working knowledge of the entertainment industry, including trends and standards in casting and show production.

Desirable

• University degree related to the Arts, Liberal Arts, STEM, Business or equivalent continued or higher education.
• International experience.
• Experience opening theme parks and/or large-scale live entertainment productions.
• Experience casting for a diverse range of disciplines.
• Background in live performance or performing arts.
• Proven knowledge of casting specifically for live entertainment venues and themed experiences.
• Awareness of industry trends related to entertainment and talent sourcing.
• Understanding of creative design elements including lighting, sound, costume, scenic, or media.

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills; able to collaborate effectively with diverse teams across multiple departments.
• Highly proficient in written and spoken English.
• Strong computer literacy, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience developing and delivering presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint and other Office applications.