Video Editor (Contract)

Video Editor (Contract)

Department: Content

Employment Type: Contract

Location: Washington, DC

Reporting To: Head of Video

Compensation: $5,000 - $6,000 / month

Description

The Bulwark isn't just a business, it's a mission. We're a fast-growing media company founded to provide analysis and reporting in defense of liberal democracy. Our podcasts, newsletters, and videos cut through the noise to deliver sharp, independent analysis.

Inside The Bulwark, we live by a few simple rules: candor over spin, collaboration over ego, and a commitment to making each other better. We're a nimble, fast-moving team that takes our work seriously-but not ourselves.

We're looking for a Video Editor to join our team.


About the Role

As a Video Editor at The Bulwark, you will edit full-length video episodes of The Bulwark's podcasts and cut short-form clips that present our best moments across social platforms. Reporting to the Head of Video, you'll collaborate closely with hosts, producers, and the social team to make sure every episode looks and sounds its best, and reaches audiences quickly while the conversation is still happening.


This is a full-time contract engagement for an initial term of 6 months. As the contract progresses, we'll evaluate fit, performance, and the needs of the team, with the possibility of transitioning the role to a full-time staff position at The Bulwark.


What You'll Do

• Handle post-production on full-length video episodes, turning raw multi-camera and remote recordings into polished episodes for YouTube and other video platforms.
• Work at the speed of the news cycle, turning around episodes and rapid-response clips on tight deadlines, often same-day and within hours of recording.
• Blend in-studio and remote footage into a cohesive look.
• Package vertical clips for social platforms.
• Apply strong editorial instincts to identify and turn complex political issues into compelling video, while preserving the context of what was said.
• Keep long conversations visually engaging with punch-ins, split-screens, varied pacing and motion elements such as titles, lower thirds, and captions, ensuring each show has a consistent look.
• Find and integrate news footage, archival video, and images in partnership with producers, ensuring appropriate usage and attribution.
• Mix audio, sync audio and video, and color-correct footage so every episode meets a consistent quality standard.
• Insert ad reads and other sponsor assets into episodes accurately and on schedule.

What You Bring

• 3+ years of professional video editing experience, with long-form podcast or interview content as your primary focus, plus experience editing short-form social video.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced production environment, with the speed and reliability to deliver quick-turnaround edits on deadline without sacrificing attention to detail.
• Experience with multi-camera editing and remote recordings (e.g., Riverside, Streamyard, etc), plus experience cleaning, mixing, and color-correcting footage for web and social.
• Proficiency in Adobe Premiere . Proficiency with motion graphics is a plus.
• Deep understanding of video, social, and audio platforms and what creates engagement.
• Editorial judgement, including an instinct for which moments matter and how to clip them without stripping context.
• An interest in politics, current events, and media, and a passion for The Bulwark's mission and an understanding of the organization's work across platforms.
• Communication skills and a team-first attitude.

What We Offer

We want people at The Bulwark to thrive. During the contract, you'll get:

• A competitive contract rate
• Hands-on experience with a fast-growing mission-driven media company
• A potential path to a full-time staff role

If the role converts to a staff position, we provide:

• Full employer-sponsored health plans
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Generous vacation and paid time off
• Commuter benefits and Employee Assistance Program

This role is based in Washington, DC, where our team works together in person five days a week. We're mission-driven, collaborative, and direct-and we value people who bring ideas and energy to the table.

Interested? We'd love to hear from you. Submit your resume and a brief cover note, along with links to two (or more) videos you have worked on. Briefly explain your role in their production.