Senior Video Editor

Senior Video Editor

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Video Editor based in United States.

The Senior Video Editor will serve as a lead visual storyteller, shaping compelling narratives across explainers, documentaries, social video, and other high-impact productions. This role combines strong editorial judgment with advanced post-production and motion graphics expertise, taking projects from scripts and early concepts through final delivery. You will collaborate closely with producers and creative colleagues, helping elevate stories while maintaining high editorial and visual standards. The role also focuses heavily on social-first storytelling, including vertical formats for platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and LinkedIn. You will translate complex foreign policy and international affairs topics into accessible, engaging visual stories for broad audiences. The position also offers opportunities to mentor other producers, contribute to video podcasts, and influence evolving digital storytelling practices.

Accountabilities:

• Serve as the primary narrative editor, shaping story structure, pacing, editorial voice, and overall storytelling across video explainers, short-form documentaries, and long-form productions.
• Collaborate with producers and other team members to provide editorial guidance and strengthen narrative arcs, scripts, edits, and final productions.
• Write, edit, and develop scripts, interview questions, and substantive outlines for a variety of nonfiction video formats.
• Design and execute motion graphics and animation that make complex foreign policy concepts visually compelling while maintaining consistent editorial and visual standards.
• Edit and produce social video content for YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and other digital platforms, adapting pacing, sound design, structure, and visual rhythm to each format.
• Transform long-form editorial content into engaging short-form and vertical videos by identifying compelling stories and adapting them for platform-specific audiences.
• Use visual storytelling, evocative imagery, and motion graphics to make complex international affairs and foreign policy ideas accessible to wider audiences.
• Mentor junior and mid-level producers through hands-on collaboration, feedback, and modeling of strong editorial and production standards.
• Research photography and footage requirements and coordinate with external vendors on licensing and usage terms.
• Produce and direct on-camera interviews in studio and field environments as required by projects.
• Stay current on video storytelling, motion graphics, social media, video SEO, emerging platforms, and competitive digital media practices.
• Manage project timelines, coordinate deliverables, and communicate progress with production leadership and relevant stakeholders.
• Support video podcast production and other creative initiatives as needed.

Requirements:

• Have at least 7 years of experience editing and producing video, supported by a strong portfolio demonstrating narrative storytelling across documentary, explainer, long-form, and social formats.
• Hold a bachelor's degree in film and television production, journalism, or a related discipline; an advanced degree is a plus.
• Demonstrate mastery of story structure, pacing, editorial judgment, and visual storytelling across both short-form and long-form content.
• Have extensive experience creating motion graphics and animation, including developing original graphic systems and extending established visual styles.
• Be highly fluent in vertical video and platform-native social formats, with a strong understanding of audience engagement and performance across major platforms.
• Have experience writing and editing scripts and conducting interviews for nonfiction video storytelling.
• Demonstrate advanced proficiency with Adobe Premiere and After Effects.
• Be proficient across Adobe Creative Cloud, including Audition, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
• Have experience working in deadline-driven editorial, media, or newsroom environments.
• Demonstrate genuine interest in international affairs and foreign policy and the ability to make complex subjects accessible to broad audiences.
• Be able to work independently, take creative initiative, and manage complex projects involving multiple stages and stakeholders.
• Bring a collaborative mindset, strong communication skills, and a willingness to share creative expertise with colleagues.
• Experience with video podcast production is considered a plus.
• Be comfortable working onsite in New York City at least four days per week, with Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays designated as required institutional onsite days.

Benefits:

• Annual compensation of $100,000–$125,000, depending on experience.
• Full-time position based in New York City with an established onsite working schedule.
• Health insurance programs.
• Health and wellness program.
• Access to an onsite fitness center.
• Generous leave policies.
• Opportunity to lead high-impact video storytelling across documentary, explainer, social, and digital formats.
• Opportunity to work on complex international affairs and foreign policy topics and make them accessible to broad audiences.
• Collaborative environment with opportunities to mentor producers and contribute creative expertise.
• Exposure to evolving social video formats, motion graphics, video SEO, and emerging digital media platforms.