Long-Term Video Editor – Short-Form Growth Specialist (YouTube Shorts, Reels, TikTok)

We are looking for an elite, data-driven Short-Form Video Editor who doesn't just cut clips but deeply understands visual psychology, viewer retention, and audience growth. This isn't a basic trimming job; we need a creative partner who can take raw concepts, long-form footage, or podcast assets and transform them into hyper-engaging, addictive 9:16 vertical content. If you live and breathe social media algorithms, know exactly how to engineer a viral hook, and can edit at a high pace without sacrificing quality, we want you on our team for the long haul. Key Scope of Work & Deliverables Mastering the Hook: Crafting the first 3 seconds of the video to maximize viewer retention. You may occasionally be asked to create 2 different hook variations for a single video to run A/B testing. Dynamic Visual Storytelling: Utilizing high-end text animations, context-specific emojis, premium stock footage overlays, custom graphics, and subtle zoom-ins to keep the screen constantly moving. Sound Design & Audio Mixing: Integrating tactical sound effects (whooshes, page turns, keyboard clicks), leveling background tracks, and ensuring clean, crisp vocal audio. Pacing Optimization: Drastically cutting out dead air, filler words ("um," "uh," "so"), and slow pauses to keep the narrative moving at a high-velocity pace. Platform UI Safe Zones: Ensuring all text, captions, and crucial visual elements sit perfectly within the platform "safe zones" so they aren't covered by usernames, descriptions, or app buttons. Technical & Creative Requirements Software Mastery: Expert proficiency in Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, or DaVinci Resolve (CapCut-only editors will not be considered for this specific role). Asset Sourcing: Ability to independently source high-quality, copyright-free B-roll, trending memes, sound effects, and music tracks. Flawless Grammar: Impeccable spelling and punctuation for subtitles. Data Literacy: Willingness to look at retention graphs from published videos to understand where viewers dropped off, allowing us to pivot and improve future edits. Workflow & Logistics Expected Volume: 12 completed short-form videos per month to start. Assets Provided: Raw video files, occasional loose outlines, and brand style guidelines (fonts, colors). Collaboration Tools: Feedback and reviews will be managed via [e.g., Frame.io / Google Drive / Slack]. Turnaround Time: 24–48 hours max per initial draft. How to Apply (Screening Process) We review portfolios strictly. To be considered, please submit your proposal with the foll A link to your live portfolio (Google Drive, Notion, or Behance) showcasing short-form content only. A brief 2-sentence breakdown of what you believe is the most important element for keeping a viewer watching past the 5-second mark. Start your cover letter with the phrase "RETENTION IS KING" so we know you read this entire posting.