Social Media Video Editor (Contract)

The San Francisco Standard is a local news startup that is fast becoming a must-read for residents of the Bay Area and beyond.

We are seeking a creative, fast-moving, and deeply online social media video editor to help shape how our journalism shows up across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X, and emerging platforms.

This role is for someone who genuinely loves social video — someone who understands internet culture, platform behavior, pacing, hooks, trends, and what makes people stop scrolling. You should instinctively think about how a story plays in-feed, what the first three seconds need to accomplish, and how to turn reporting into content people want to watch and share.

This editor will work closely with our Social Video Director and newsroom teams to transform reporting into compelling, platform-native videos. While the primary focus of the role is editing social video, there will also be opportunities to pitch concepts, shape storytelling approaches, attend and capture events around San Francisco, and collaborate creatively with reporters and producers.

We’re looking for someone who is energized by the pace of social media and excited by the idea of covering San Francisco in real time — from news and city politics to food openings, cultural moments, street scenes, trends, protests, and internet discourse.

• Edit short-form video content for Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and other social platforms
• Create fast-turnaround edits that are optimized for retention, pacing, and shareability
• Shoot smartphone and camera video in the field, independently or alongside reporters
• Attend events and community happenings to capture social-first footage
• Pitch video ideas, recurring formats, and coverage opportunities during editorial and social meetings
• Collaborate with reporters and editors to identify stories with strong visual and social potential
• Stay current on platform trends, creator formats, audience behaviors, and emerging social tools
• Work quickly while maintaining editorial standards, accuracy, and attention to detail

• Experienced in non-linear video editing and social media content creation, with a portfolio demonstrating platform-specific work
• Proficient with editing in  Adobe Premiere Pro; Final Cut Pro, Adobe After Effects, CapCut, or similar tools is a plus.
• Skilled in shooting video with professional cameras, smartphones, and other devices
• Knowledgeable about motion graphics, color correction, audio mixing, and other post-production techniques
• Well-versed in social media platforms, their native features, and what performs well on each
• A quick and efficient editor who can turn around timely content while maintaining high standards
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects
• A creative problem-solver with the ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Brings a collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset and a positive, professional approach to fast-paced creative work.
• Comfortable experimenting, iterating, and having fun — you understand that social is a creative playground, not just a distribution channel.

Experience with motion graphics and animation is a significant plus. Facility with AI tools for video production is a major positive.

This role may require evening or weekend work to cover news events and optimize posting times. We are an in-person newsroom; this is not a remote role. This position reports to the social video director.

This is a contract role for an initial 3-month period. This position pays $45 per hour

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and a portfolio or reel showcasing social media videos you have created and edited. Include a brief explanation of your role in each project, the platform(s) each video was created for, and any notable performance metrics or impact.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We value all aspects of diversity, and do not discriminate based on race, ethnic origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation), age, veteran status, genetic information or disability. We are committed to hiring a diverse team, and fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging.