Lead Video Editor

Overview Lead Video Editor role at A Impact Media (Knwn Local). Transform raw footage into content that helps real estate agents win in their local markets. About Knwn Local: We are a creative agency on a mission to scale from 55 to 200+ YouTube channels while helping real estate agents become trusted voices in their markets. We build long-form video strategies that create authority and drive business results. The role focuses on delivering high-quality edits consistently and maintaining quality standards as the team scales. The Role: As a Lead Editor at Knwn Local, you will build and develop a team of video editors who transform real estate content into high-impact YouTube videos. This is a player-coach leadership role where you will spend 70-90% of your time managing, mentoring, and building systems, with 10-30% hands-on editing complex projects. You will own editing quality standards, team development, and operational excellence within your pod, partnering with Pod Managers, YouTube Managers, and Strategists to deliver retention-driven content at scale. Your success is measured by your team’s performance, growth, and retention rather than solely by your own edits. What You’ll Own: Team Leadership & Development (50% of role) Manage and develop 25-50 video editors, conducting weekly 1-on-1s focused on skill progression and performance (with support from Senior Editors & YouTube Managers). Lead weekly team edit reviews with constructive feedback and best-practice sharing. Lead monthly team trainings for editing team culture and growth. Build onboarding programs and training materials for new editor hires. Create career development pathways with clear promotion criteria. Conduct performance reviews and manage accountability through established frameworks. Participate in hiring (screen portfolios, conduct interviews, make hiring recommendations). Develop long-term relationships with editors for retention and engagement. Implement skip-level check-ins to assess team health and identify early warning signs. Quality Standards & Systems (20-30% of role) Own and evolve editing quality standards, style guides, and templates across the team. Establish QA processes that maintain high first-approval rates across editors. Serve as final quality reviewer for complex or high-stakes edits before client delivery. Lead A/B testing strategy and retention analysis, translating data into actionable editing improvements. Create efficiency systems (templates, motion graphics libraries, workflow optimizations). Build performance dashboards tracking team metrics (approval rates, turnaround times, retention). Drive continuous improvement through regular review sessions and retrospectives. Strategic Collaboration (10-15% of role) Partner with Pod Managers and YouTube Managers on content strategy and creative direction. Participate in Monthly Client Strategy Calls to present editing approach and performance insights. Collaborate with scriptwriters and designers to align on creative vision. Communicate proactively with leadership on team capacity, blockers, and resource needs. Contribute to quarterly planning and annual strategy with editing perspective. Handle client escalations and quality issues with transparency and solutions-focused approach. Player-Coach Editing (10-20% of role) Edit 2-4 high-complexity videos per month for VIP clients or training demonstrations. Stay hands-on with editing to model excellence and maintain YouTube editing fluency. Stay current on YouTube editing trends, competitive content, and platform changes. Experiment with new techniques and tools, sharing learnings with the team. Maintain organized project files and asset management as an example for the team. Requirements We’re looking for someone who combines exceptional editing craft with proven leadership ability and a passion for developing talent and building systems that multiply impact across a team. Leadership & Management Experience 5-7+ years of professional video editing experience with 2+ years in managing or leading editors. Proven track record developing and scaling editing teams of 4+ people. Experience hiring editors (screening portfolios, conducting interviews, making hiring decisions). Demonstrated ability to give feedback that accelerates growth and elevates work quality. History of conducting performance reviews and managing accountability (including difficult conversations). Experience building onboarding programs, training materials, and documented workflows. Comfortable with the full people management cycle: hiring, coaching, performance management, and when necessary, firing. Technical Mastery (You Can Teach Others) Expert-level proficiency in Adobe Premiere Pro with ability to troubleshoot complex issues and teach advanced techniques. Strong proficiency in After Effects for motion graphics and visual effects. Working knowledge of DaVinci Resolve, Blender, or other tools (or quick learner). Deep understanding of YouTube retention, pacing, storytelling, and algorithm optimization. Ability to QA others\' work and identify issues across editing style, technical execution, and brand consistency. Portfolio showing own work AND examples of team development (before/after of editors you\'ve coached). Systems & Process Thinking Experience building scalable editing workflows, style guides, and template systems. Understanding of capacity planning and resource allocation for editing teams. Ability to create performance dashboards and track team metrics. Skilled at documentation—SOPs, training materials, and knowledge management. Process optimization mindset—continuous improvement without sacrificing quality. Experience with project management tools (Asana, Notion, Frame.io) and team collaboration systems. Strategic & Business Acumen Ability to translate business objectives into editing strategy and creative direction. Comfortable presenting to clients and defending creative decisions with data. Understanding of editing team economics (capacity, turnaround times, quality vs. speed). Experience partnering cross-functionally with strategists, writers, designers, and YouTube managers. Ability to navigate ambiguity and make decisions with incomplete information. Think beyond individual edits to how editing impacts channel growth and client results. Communication & Influence Exceptional written and verbal communication for feedback, presentations, and team documentation. Ability to give direct, constructive feedback that motivates rather than demoralizes. Skilled at managing up, across, and down to develop reports and peers. Proactive communication style; flag capacity issues, quality concerns, and team challenges early. Comfortable with difficult conversations (performance issues, client escalations, conflict-resolution). Can translate technical editing concepts into language non-editors understand. Work Style & Mindset Player-coach mentality—hands-on editing 10-20% while leading the team. Excellent organizational skills managing your own work and the team’s pipeline. Ability to balance competing priorities: team development, quality, deadlines, and strategy. Comfortable context-switching between editing, coaching, client calls, and planning. Thrives in fast-paced, high-growth environments with evolving processes. Enjoys developing talent and seeing team members succeed. Cultural Leadership Extreme Ownership, Beyond Excellence, Proactive Curiosity, and Mission Focus as core values. Compensation & Benefits Salary: $36,000 - $60,000 USD annually (based on experience and team size managed). Fully Remote Flexible Time Off policy Annual Holiday Breaks Leadership development program Tools, plugins, and AI-assisted editing software Wellness allowance, home office stipend, professional development budget, and health insurance reimbursement (after 60-90 day trial) Clear career progression with transparent promotion criteria Real Talk: This is an early-stage startup scaling rapidly. You’ll face challenges, but you will build a world-class editing team and help real estate leaders dominate their markets. This role is player-coach (10-25% hands-on editing, 75%+ leadership). Remote-first location. We primarily look at those who apply above. Pay is $36K - $60K+ USD per year (dependent on experience). #J-18808-Ljbffr