Olaf Maninger studied initially with János Starker and then continued his training with Boris Pergamenschikow. He joined the Berliner Philharmoniker in 1995, and was appointed principal cellist with the orchestra in 1996. In the years 1997 to 2002, Olaf Maninger was managing director of the Berliner Philharmoniker GbR. Since the Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation was set up in 2002, he has been a member of the board. In this capacity, he played a significant role in the development of the Berliner Philharmoniker’s Digital Concert Hall. He has been general manager of Berlin Phil Media GmbH since 2008. Olaf Maninger is also one of the 12 Cellists of the Berliner Philharmoniker.