Video Assignment Editor, Us

The Guardian is a global news organization that delivers fearless, independent journalism. From breaking news and award-winning investigations, to in-depth coverage of technology, sports, film, culture and lifestyle, the Guardian offers a global view that deepens our audiences' understanding of America and the world.

Headquartered in New York City, Guardian US is an entirely digital operation that seeks to engage US readers by combining the Guardian's international coverage with US voices and expertise. Core coverage areas include the climate emergency, economic and racial inequality, digital privacy and much more. Guardian US launched in 2011 and today has bureaus in New York, Washington DC, New Orleans and Los Angeles. The Guardian is an independently owned, mission-driven organization, funded by readers around the globe.

It’s the talent, energy and commitment our people bring to The Guardian that make us who we are. Across our business we have some of the most creative thinkers in media and beyond: award winning journalists, cutting edge commercial teams, digital talent and more.

Title: Video assignment editor, US

Department: Editorial

Reports to: Head of Audience Development

Location: New York, NY

Terms and conditions: Full time, permanent. News Media Guild position.

Salary range: $110,000 - $120,000

The Guardian US seeks an experienced, creative and energetic video assignment editor with a proven track record and a passion for news to help build the Guardian’s US breaking news and short-form video strategy.

The ideal candidate knows how to move quickly and decisively when news breaks. This editor will help shape the Guardian’s US breaking news video strategy by finding new ways to elevate our reporting with compelling videos, whether it’s producing newsy clips, text-on-screen explainers or originally reported pieces with reporters in the newsroom. Initially, the team will prioritize a quick turnaround, high-scale strategy but over time our approach may evolve and grow. The assignment editor will manage one video editor, while also creating their own video stories.

We’re seeking a collaborative leader who can build relationships and work closely with Guardian video teams in the UK and Australia, as well as with desks across the US newsroom. They should have experience navigating the journalistic and ethical challenges of news video, such as verifying the authenticity of social footage in breaking news scenarios, and making informed calls on copyright issues.

We want someone who cares deeply about the reader experience and will use audience analytics to thoughtfully grow our reach, while building engagement. The videos will often live both on and off-site, so a keen knowledge of how audiences engage with video, both horizontally and vertically, is key. This editor will also work closely with the social team to find opportunities to build our off-site audiences on multiple platforms including TikTok and Instagram.

This position requires at least five years experience in a newsroom environment, strong news judgement, the ability to multitask and lead a small team. The ability to edit quickly and creatively on Adobe Premiere is required.

Key responsibilities

• Experiment with new formats, such as personality-driven vertical videos
• Assist with the big picture, strategy discussions about on- and off-site video strategy
• Work closely with the US head of audience, UK video team, US deputy editor, US newsdesk and colleagues across the newsroom to shape the Guardian’s US video strategy
• Produce compelling original videos by storyboarding, scripting, editing, interviewing and occasionally shooting original footage
• Making frequent, confident and informed calls on verification and copyright
• Closely monitor the news cycle and look for video opportunities within our US stories, with a focus on breaking news
• Work with the audience team on strategies to diversify our audience culturally and geographically and increase our reach among underserved communities in the US
• Work with video teams in the UK and Australia to constantly refine best practice and build the widest, most relevant global audience for all of the Guardian’s journalism
• Ensuring video is embedded regularly and appropriately into articles on site.
• Participate in recruiting and hiring for new video roles
• Signing off all breaking news clips/reports/explainers for content, tone and clarity
• Communicate closely with the social producers to make sure the video team and the social team are working in tandem

Key skills & experience

• A fast news metabolism and experience in breaking news situations
• Excellent news judgment and headline writing skills
• Ability to use Adobe Premiere Pro to edit clips, reports, social video and explainers.
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative approach; the ability to build bridges across the newsroom, reader revenue and product teams
• At least five years’ experience working closely in or with a news team in a video-related role
• Strong understanding of video analytics and headline optimization

How to Apply

We know there are great candidates who might not check all these boxes or who possess important skills we haven’t thought of. If that’s you, we encourage you to apply and tell us about yourself.

All candidates interested in applying should upload a resume and cover letter as one document.

Guardian News & Media is an equal employment opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, national origin or citizenship.

We value and respect all differences (seen and unseen) in all people at the Guardian. We aspire to have inclusive working experiences and an environment that reflects the audience we serve, where our people have equal access to career development opportunities, their voices are heard and can contribute to our future.