I’m looking for one or more talented video editors to help develop two purpose-driven YouTube channels, with the potential to take on additional client work as the relationship grows.

There are more channels to work on. And, I will handle all client communications so you can focus on editing, not never-ending emails and Slack notifications.

This is not simply a cutting, captioning or clipping role.

If I only wanted someone to remove pauses, add captions and generate clips, I could do much of that using AI.

I’m looking for an editor with genuine creative and strategic judgement. Someone who understands how to transform raw footage into content that people enjoy, remember and continue watching.

You should understand:

* Storytelling and narrative structure

* Viewer psychology

* Hooks and curiosity

* Pacing and visual variety

* Audience retention

* Emotional connection

* How to turn long-form content into Shorts that stand on their own

I want you to improve the visual appeal of the content, but visual appeal alone is not enough. Every editing decision should help clarify the story, maintain interest or give the viewer another reason to keep watching.

The initial engagement will be a one-month paid pilot. If we work well together and the quality is right, there is significant potential for consistent, long-term work across our channels and future client accounts.

## Initial YouTube Channel Audit

At the beginning of the paid pilot, you will complete a full audit of both YouTube channels.

The purpose of this audit is to understand how you think, not to receive a generic checklist produced by AI.

Your audit should examine:

* The current editing style and visual presentation

* The opening 30–60 seconds of recent videos

* Pacing and potential retention problems

* Where viewers may become disengaged

* The use of hooks, open loops and story structure

* Opportunities to improve visual variety

* The use of B-roll, graphics, captions, music and sound

* How effectively Shorts work as standalone content

* Whether Shorts create curiosity about the longer videos

* Consistency between the content, audience and channel positioning

* Practical improvements that can be implemented within the available budget

* Three to five ideas or experiments you would test first

You will then present your findings and recommendations to me during a video call.

I do not expect every recommendation to be correct. I want to see that you can study an audience, identify genuine problems, explain your reasoning and make thoughtful recommendations.

## Mandatory Video Interview

Every shortlisted applicant must take part in a live video interview.

This is an essential part of the selection process and cannot be replaced with messages, a prerecorded introduction or an audio-only call.

The interview will allow us to:

* Confirm that we can communicate fluently in English

* Discuss your portfolio and establish exactly what you contributed

* Explore the thinking behind your editing decisions

* Talk through how you would approach the two different content styles

* Understand how you respond to questions and feedback

* Confirm availability, turnaround times and working expectations

During the interview, I may show you examples from the channels and ask what you would improve. I am not looking for rehearsed answers. I want to understand how you analyse content and make creative decisions.

If you are not comfortable taking part in a live video interview, please do not apply.

## Shortlisted Candidate Assessment

Before the interview, shortlisted applicants will receive links to the two public YouTube channels.

You will be asked to review a small selection of content and prepare a brief initial assessment covering:

1. One thing you believe is already working

2. The three biggest editing or retention opportunities you notice

3. One long-form video you would approach differently

4. One Short you believe could be improved

5. One experiment you would recommend testing

This is intended to be a focused preliminary assessment, not an unpaid full channel strategy.

The selected editor will complete the more detailed channel audit as part of the paid pilot.

## What I Am Really Hiring You For

Technical editing ability is essential, but I am primarily hiring you for your judgement.

I need someone who can ask:

* Why would somebody click on this?

* Why would they continue watching?

* Where might they lose interest?

* What information can be removed?

* What moment should happen earlier?

* Does the opening create enough curiosity?

* Is this graphic helping the story or merely decorating it?

* Can this Short be understood without seeing the full video?

* Does the viewer have a reason to watch another piece of content?

* How can we make this feel more human, distinctive and memorable?

You should be able to challenge an edit constructively, suggest a stronger approach and explain the reasoning behind your recommendations.

I do not want someone who waits for instructions on every cut. I want a collaborative editor who brings ideas, notices opportunities and helps improve the content over time.

## Selection Process

The selection process will be:

1. Written application and portfolio review

2. Focused preliminary assessment from shortlisted applicants

3. Mandatory live video interview

4. Reference checks for finalists

5. A small paid editing test using supplied footage

6. Selection for a one-month paid pilot

7. Full audit of both YouTube channels during the paid pilot

8. Review of quality, judgement, reliability and working fit before continuing

I may appoint two or three editors during the testing stage. The strongest editor or editors will be offered ongoing work.

## Additional Application Questions

Please also answer the following questions:

1. What do you look for when auditing a YouTube channel?

2. How do you diagnose why viewers may be leaving a long-form video?

3. Tell me about an editing decision you made that improved the performance of a video.

4. What is the difference between a visually impressive edit and an effective edit?

5. How do you decide which moments should become Shorts?

6. How would you turn a good moment into a complete Short with a strong beginning, middle and end?

7. What performance information do you normally request from clients?

8. Are you willing to discuss your initial channel observations during a live video interview?

9. Are you comfortable completing and presenting a full audit during the paid pilot?

10. What would you need from me to produce your best work?