From Social Media to Gaming: Job Descriptions for Video Editor Roles

Hiring a “video editor” sounds simple enough—until you realize the title can mean a hundred different things.

Expecting a YouTube editor to produce a full-length film is like asking a system administrator to build a mobile app. Specialized video editors bring distinct skills to the table, and using a catch-all job description risks attracting the wrong candidates altogether.

Finding the right fit starts with being specific about the role you need to fill. 

This article offers a comprehensive list of job descriptions for video editor roles, built to help you customize your postings based on project needs.

You’ll learn what every strong video editor job description should include, why customization matters, and how to create role-specific listings for eight of the most in-demand types of video editors.

What Every Strong Video Editor Job Description Needs

Video now accounts for 82.5% of global internet traffic, and 89% of people say they want to see even more video from brands.

With demand at an all-time high, finding the right video editor is important for businesses that rely on the medium for marketing and communication. 

A clear, detailed job description can mean the difference between hiring a video editor that fits your needs and wasting time filtering through mismatched candidates.

Here’s what every strong video editor’s job description should include:

• Job title: Be as specific as possible. A “Social Media Video Editor” is very different from a “Film and TV Editor.” Clear titles help candidates immediately understand the role and whether they’re a good fit.
• Summary: Briefly explain what your company does and what they’d be working on. A strong summary helps candidates envision their role before they even look at the details.
• Responsibilities: Outline what the editor will actually do. Focus on deliverables and workflow expectations, such as editing short-form social videos, adding motion graphics, or handling full post-production workflows. This clarity saves time for everyone involved.
• Qualifications: Stick to skills that truly matter for the type of work. If you’re hiring for TikTok content, advanced color grading skills might not be necessary. The goal is to prioritize what is most relevant to the projects they’ll be working on.
• Tools and software: List the platforms they must know, such as Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, Final Cut Pro, or DaVinci Resolve. Including specific tools up front helps screen for candidates who are ready to work with your current setup.
• Location requirements: Clearly state whether the position is in-office, fully remote, or hybrid. For remote positions, be explicit about geographical restrictions—can candidates work from anywhere in the world, or must they be based in the US?
  Also, specify details like required working hours overlap with your team (e.g., “at least 3 hours standard working hours overlap with CST”), home office stipends, and communication expectations. This transparency helps candidates assess if the working arrangement fits their situation before they apply.

Writing job descriptions with this level of clarity not only improves the quality of applicants but also cuts down on the time it takes to find a match. 

Note: When considering those location requirements, think carefully before limiting remote roles to US-based candidates only. Opening your search internationally can significantly expand your talent pool, helping you find the exact specialized skills you need, often at rates that work better for your budget.

Why Customizing Video Editor Job Descriptions Matters

Video editing covers a wide range of specialties, and treating it like a one-size-fits-all profession can create more problems than solutions. A social media editor who excels at producing quick, engaging clips for TikTok might not have the skills needed to cut a corporate training video or build animated sequences for a product launch. 

Gaming editors, on the other hand, often specialize in storytelling through high-energy gameplay footage. That’s not exactly something a traditional corporate editor would be familiar with on a professional level.

When job descriptions are too generic, they attract applicants who aren’t the right fit. This wastes time for both employers and candidates and can lead to disappointing hires that slow down projects or miss the creative mark altogether.

Understanding the type of work you need also helps determine the cost of hiring a video editor. Rates can vary significantly based on the editor’s specialization, experience, and the platforms they typically work with.

In the next section, we’ll break down the eight most common types of video editors. We’ll also explain exactly how to tailor each job description to attract the right candidates for your specific needs.

How to Customize Job Descriptions for Different Video Editor Roles

The sections below break down the eight most common types of video editors. For each one, you’ll find key skills, tools, project types, and tips on what to highlight in the job description to help you hire the best fit for your needs.

Social Media Video Editor

Social media video editors specialize in creating quick, high-impact content built for engagement. Their work needs to be platform-specific and trend-responsive.

Key skills and tools to include:

• Proficiency in Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and CapCut for mobile-first workflows.
• Strong understanding of aspect ratios and export settings for platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook.
• Basic motion graphics skills using After Effects for overlays, text animations, and simple transitions.
• Ability to source and edit royalty-free music, manage copyright considerations, and sync audio effectively for social content.

Types of projects to mention:

• Editing short-form videos for social media campaigns, including TikTok videos, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook video ads.
• Creating “snackable” clips from longer videos, such as turning webinars or interviews into bite-sized highlights.
• Applying consistent branding, including logos, colors, and typography, across all social content.

What to highlight in the job description:

• Stress the need for fast turnaround times and adaptability, as social content often needs to react quickly to trends.
• Ask for experience creating videos designed to boost engagement through shares, comments, and clicks.
• Specify any platform focus. This is particularly important if your business has invested in platforms like Instagram, where vertical video formats are a priority.
• If the role involves broader campaign work, mention collaboration with marketing or content strategy teams to keep messaging aligned.

Corporate Video Editor

Video has become essential for brand communication, with 89% of businesses using it as a marketing tool. Corporate video editors play a major role in shaping a company’s internal and external messaging. 

Their work needs to be polished, on-brand, and aligned with business goals, whether it’s supporting training efforts or promoting leadership initiatives.

Key skills and tools to include:

• Proficiency in Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects for editing and basic motion design.
• Strong understanding of maintaining a consistent corporate brand voice across video projects.
• Experience with color correction, sound mixing, and visual storytelling that aligns with business goals.

Types of projects to mention:

• Editing internal training videos, onboarding materials, and company policy explainers.
• Producing executive interviews, town hall highlights, and leadership messaging videos.
• Creating external-facing brand videos for investor relations, corporate websites, or partner outreach.

What to highlight in the job description:

• Request a professional, formal editing style suited to corporate audiences.
• Emphasize the importance of brand consistency, including visual identity and tone of voice.
• Mention collaboration with HR, marketing, or leadership teams to align video messaging with broader business goals.
• Highlight the need for discretion when working with sensitive internal content.

YouTube Video Editor

According to Hubspot’s latest Video Marketing Report, YouTube came in second in popularity among marketers and for ROI after Instagram. 

YouTube has its own style, pacing, and technical requirements, which is why hiring a dedicated YouTube video editor often makes a big difference. From optimizing videos for retention to creating eye-catching thumbnails, this role calls for specialized experience that helps content perform better across the platform. 

If you’re wondering if hiring a YouTube-specific video editor is really necessary, the answer usually comes down to whether you want stronger viewer engagement.

Key skills and tools to include:

• Proficiency in Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere for long-form video editing.
• Strong understanding of YouTube search engine optimization (SEO) basics, including metadata optimization and audience retention tactics.
• Ability to create custom thumbnails that encourage higher click-through rates.
• Familiarity with YouTube analytics to inform editing decisions and improvements.

Types of projects to mention:

• Editing vlogs, educational videos, product demos, and long-form interviews for YouTube channels.
• Creating intro and outro segments designed to boost subscriber growth and session time.
• Repurposing full videos into short clips for YouTube Shorts or other social channels.

What to highlight in the job description:

• Emphasize pacing and storytelling techniques that keep viewers engaged through longer videos.
• Specify familiarity with YouTube’s latest best practices for monetization and community building.
• If relevant, highlight the need for collaboration with content strategists, scriptwriters, or channel managers.

Post-Production Specialist

Post-production specialists bring technical polish to video projects by fine-tuning everything after the initial footage is captured. Their work directly shapes the final look, sound, and emotional impact of a film, show, or commercial.

Key skills and tools to include:

• Proficiency with advanced editing software like DaVinci Resolve for color grading and finishing.
• Strong skills in sound design, including mixing, dialogue editing, and sound effects integration.
• Expertise in color correction to maintain consistency and create mood or atmosphere.
• Familiarity with workflow management for multi-camera projects and high-resolution formats.

Types of projects to mention:

• Editing and finishing feature films, TV shows, branded content, and broadcast commercials.
• Collaborating with directors, cinematographers, and visual effects teams during post-production.
• Preparing final deliverables for distribution across different platforms and formats.

What to highlight in the job description:

• Request experience working closely with cinematographers and directors to preserve the creative vision.
• Emphasize precision in visual quality, including color consistency, frame accuracy, and final polish.
• Mention familiarity with industry standards for mastering, export formats, and distribution specs.

Motion Graphics Editor

Motion graphics editors help brands create dynamic, animated content that grabs attention quickly and delivers information in an engaging way. 

Key skills and tools to include:

• Proficiency with After Effects for animation and motion design.
• Experience using Cinema 4D or similar 3D animation software for more complex visual elements.
• Strong skills in Adobe Animate for vector-based animations and interactive media.
• Ability to storyboard and translate creative concepts into polished animated sequences.

Types of projects to mention:

• Creating animated explainer videos for products, services, or brand messaging.
• Designing animated logos, lower thirds, and visual effects for videos.
• Building animated assets for ad campaigns, websites, and social media platforms.

What to highlight in the job description:

• Request a strong portfolio showcasing a variety of animation styles and project types.
• Emphasize the ability to integrate motion graphics seamlessly with live-action footage when needed.
• Mention collaboration with creative directors, illustrators, and marketing teams to maintain brand alignment and storytelling goals.

Gaming Video Editor

Gaming content has exploded in popularity, from Twitch streams to YouTube walkthroughs and esports highlights. Hiring a gaming video editor can help brands, creators, and teams capture the excitement of gameplay in a way that keeps audiences coming back. 

This role demands a deep understanding of gaming culture, fast editing skills, and an eye for storytelling through action-packed footage.

Key skills and tools to include:

• Proficiency in Adobe Premiere Pro for editing gameplay footage.
• Experience using OBS Studio and other game capture software to record high-quality gameplay.
• Strong storytelling skills to build narratives around matches, campaigns, or player achievements.
• Familiarity with Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and esports content trends.

Types of projects to mention:

• Editing gameplay highlight reels, tournament recaps, or full game walkthroughs.
• Producing trailers for new game releases or updates.
• Creating promotional content for gaming events, streamers, or teams.

What to highlight in the job description:

• Request familiarity with gaming terminology, culture, and major game titles or genres.
• Emphasize fast-paced editing skills that match the energy and intensity of gameplay.
• Mention experience optimizing videos for engagement across YouTube, Twitch, and social platforms.

Film and TV Editor

Editing plays a major role in storytelling, shaping the pacing, emotional impact, and structure of a film or series. A skilled film and TV editor is essential for turning raw footage into a cohesive, compelling narrative that keeps audiences engaged from beginning to end.

Key skills and tools to include:

• Proficiency with Avid Media Composer and DaVinci Resolve for high-end editing and finishing.
• Strong storytelling instincts, including pacing, scene transitions, and emotional rhythm.
• Ability to collaborate closely with directors, writers, and cinematographers during the editing process.

Types of projects to mention:

• Editing feature-length films, scripted TV series, and documentary projects.
• Working with production teams to assemble rough cuts, fine cuts, and final edits.
• Preparing deliverables for theatrical release, broadcast, or streaming platforms.

What to highlight in the job description:

• Request strong narrative editing skills, including the ability to interpret scripts and maintain story coherence.
• Emphasize pacing instincts and the ability to shape scenes for maximum emotional impact.
• Mention experience working in collaborative, feedback-driven environments.

Product Video Editor

Product video editors often collaborate closely with graphic designers to create polished, brand-aligned visuals that drive customer interest. Together, they play a key role in enhancing brand identity through engaging product showcases that clearly communicate value and build trust with potential buyers.

Key skills and tools to include:

• Proficiency in After Effects and Premiere Pro for editing and basic motion graphics.
• Ability to shoot or work with raw product footage when needed.
• Strong visual storytelling skills to highlight product features and benefits clearly.
• Understanding of brand guidelines, including consistent use of logos, colors, and typography.

Types of projects to mention:

• Editing e-commerce product videos for websites and marketplaces.
• Creating demo videos that explain how a product works.
• Producing promotional videos for Kickstarter, Indiegogo, or other crowdfunding platforms.

What to highlight in the job description:

• Emphasize the ability to present products in a clean, professional way that matches brand standards.
• Request experience adding clear and compelling call-to-actions within the video.
• Mention collaboration with product teams, marketing teams, and graphic designers to maintain consistency across campaigns.

Final Thoughts

Hiring the right video editor starts long before the interviews. It begins with writing a job description that speaks clearly to the role you need to fill. 

Customizing each listing based on specific skills, project types, and platform expertise leads to stronger hires, less turnover, and content that connects more effectively with your audience.

To learn more about finding and hiring the best-fit video editors for your business, explore our guide on how to find and hire the right video editing talent.