A manager helps an actor prepare more thoroughly for an audition than an agent usually does. The manager helps the actor obtain anything she needs for the audition such as wardrobe, or arranges lessons for any skills required for the role such as a dialect. Beginning actors likely only need an agent, not both an agent and manager. Both take a fee from the actor's earnings, usually 10 percent. Most actors start out with only an agent and add a manager when their career becomes busier and more successful.
An actor with some experience and success under his belt may decide to hire a manager to help further his career. Once an actor has established himself in a certain market he may have enough clout to have meetings, known as sit downs, with studio executives, producers or directors. It is the manager's job to know the right people and to arrange sit downs. These meetings get the actor more one on one time than an average audition, enabling the industry executive to get to know him and hopefully keep him in mind for potential work.
A manager also helps negotiate and close financial deals for an actor. This aspect of a manager's job is very helpful for both the actor, who may not feel comfortable handling salary matters, and for the producer who often does not want to deal directly with the talent in money matters. As an actor's status rises, it is often her manager's job to know her worth for a particular project and to negotiate the best possible deal. In addition to salary, a manager will make sure his client's safety and needs are covered in any contract.
If an actor makes it to a level where he has several people working for him, his manager often oversees the coordination of his business. Many successful actors have different agents representing them for areas such as film, television, and endorsement deals. He may also have a public relations person as well as lawyers and accountants. The manager helps to keep the flow of communication open and clear between all of these camps. The manager also helps to steer career choices at this level, such as which roles the actor should accept and which should be declined.