DIRECTOR + EDITOR

Big Slate Media is a Knoxville-based production company and creative agency. Since 2015, we’ve helped brands create content that actually connects by focusing on strong ideas, thoughtful execution, and stories that feel real i.e content that doesn’t suck .

We work across commercial, brand, documentary, and social content, partnering with teams like Fox Sports, HGTV, Raising Cane’s, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Clayton, and Visit Knoxville. While we’ve grown into larger, more complex projects, we still care just as much about the smaller stories that matter to our community. We’re a team that’s deeply embedded in the creative process from start to finish. We don’t hand ideas off. We build them, shape them, and see them through. Which is exactly why this role matters.

We’re looking for a Director + Editor who wants to own the creative from the first conversation through final delivery. Someone who can lead on set, think in story, and bring ideas to life in the edit.

THE GIST

First and foremost, we need someone who’s fun to work with and earns trust quickly with both our team and our clients.

We’re collaborative, a little weird, and we spend a lot of time together, so personality matters.

Beyond that, this role is built for someone who lives in the details but doesn’t lose the bigger picture. You need to be organized, proactive, and able to juggle multiple projects without things slipping. Communication is everything here. On set, in Google Chat, in client conversations. Clear, calm, and confident.

This is not a “stay in your lane” role. You’ll be involved from the very beginning. Sitting in on early conversations, helping shape ideas, building out the plan with producers, leading on set, and staying close through post. You’re not just executing someone else’s vision. You’re helping create it.

We’re looking for someone who can lead a room, adapt when things inevitably change, and bring out the best in both the team and the talent in front of the camera. Someone who understands that directing isn’t just about the shot. It’s about energy, trust, and momentum.

At the end of the day, this is a role for someone who wants to be embedded in the work and take real ownership of it. If you care about the craft, the team, and making something great by maximizing the resources you have (big or small), you’ll do well here.

SO WHAT’S THE GIG?

This is a full-time position working in our offices in Knoxville, Tennessee. Here is the list of the primary responsibilities for this role:

• Collaborate with the development and creative teams to shape concepts, contribute to pitches, and participate in client-facing presentations
• Direct across commercial, brand, event, documentary, and social content formats
• Lead talent with confidence, build trust quickly, and get strong performances from non-actors
• Work closely with DPs to define visual approach, camera strategy, and overall look and feel
• Production Ownership
  • Partner with producers to own pre-production from kickoff through shoot day
  • Fully command your set with both heart and authority, creating an environment where the best ideas win
  • Keep shoots on track, adapt quickly when things change, and maintain energy and momentum throughout the day
• Post + Execution
  • Provide editorial direction and collaborate with editors and composers on pacing, structure, and tone
  • Step into the edit when needed and execute in DaVinci Resolve or other required tools
  • Handle media transfers and maintain clean, organized media management throughout the lifecycle of a project
  • Maintain internal media systems, including archiving workflows and LTO processes
• Team + Company Contribution
  • Contribute to company growth ideas, creative innovation, and client retention strategies
  • Continuously look for ways to improve workflows, communication, and output quality

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

First and foremost, we need someone who leads with humility and earns trust through work. They’re calm under pressure and collaborative by nature. Beyond that, this person needs to be a strong director, a real writer, and a capable editor who thinks in story. Strong communication with clients, talent, producers, and DPs is essential at every stage.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• 3 to 5 years of experience in video production, video editing, and directing in commercial, branded, or documentary production, with a portfolio that shows range;
• Experience writing treatments and contributing to creative proposals;
• Advanced understanding of production gear including camera packages, glass and G&E;
• Advanced understandings of our primary NLE of choice, DaVinci Resolve;
• Working knowledge of camera operation and advanced understanding of camera principles (frame rates, shutter, filters, ISO, aperture, and how they relate to creative vision);
• Advanced understanding of other industry tools like Adobe Creative Cloud, Mac OS and Google Drive;
• Experience exploring utilization of AI tools for streamlining creativity and respect for when to use it and when to not;
• Professional yet approachable demeanor with great written and verbal client/team-facing skills;
• Posses a strong interpersonal skills like empathy, communication, problem-solving, responsibility and dependability;

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Competitive salary based on experience;
• 50% paid health, vision, and dental insurance;
• 401k with 4% company match;
• Employee profit sharing;
• Paid vacation, holidays, and a quarterly mental health day;
• Paid year-end PTO Dec 24 to Jan 1;
• Earned flex/comp time for overtime or off-hours work;
• Paid continuing education and conferences;
• Opportunity to pitch passion projects for the team to complete together;
• Commission opportunities on leads you bring in;
• Access to gear and studio for personal use;
• Occasional travel for client shoots and events;
• Relaxed, casual work environment;
• Oh, and Stamper and Stanley, the office dogs and undisputed Best Boys on the crew.

TO APPLY

To apply, please send your resume and reel to View email address on click.appcast.io with the subject line “(YOUR NAME) Director + Editor Applicant” . Feel free to say hey and tell us a little about yourself and why you’re interested in the job (kinda an informal cover letter). Oh, and be sure to include your favorite “dad joke.” We love dad jokes.