YouTube Video Editor & Thumbnail Designer

Job Position(s): YouTube Video Editor & Thumbnail Designer

 

Introduction

Fully remote role (South Africa-based)

Working hours: 10:00am – 6:00pm Sydney time
(1:00am – 9:00am South African time) Dependent on Daylight Savings

40 hours per week

Contract role

Role Overview

We are seeking a creative and platform-savvy Video Editor to lead the production of YouTube content. This role is primarily focused on YouTube long-form growth, audience retention and content packaging, with some support in adapting content for platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. This position suits someone who understands how to capture attention quickly, structure content for retention, and design thumbnails that drive clicks.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Edit engaging long-form YouTube videos with strong pacing, storytelling and structure.
• Develop compelling hooks and dynamic openings to maximise audience retention.
• Design high-converting YouTube thumbnails with strong visual hierarchy and clarity.
• Optimise titles, descriptions and tags with a solid understanding of YouTube SEO and discovery.
• Structure videos strategically to improve watch time and engagement metrics.
• Monitor YouTube analytics (CTR, retention, watch time) and refine edits accordingly.
• Repurpose long-form content into YouTube Shorts and adapt selected clips for Instagram and TikTok.
• Stay up to date with YouTube trends, formats and evolving best practices.
• Ensure brand consistency across all video and graphic assets.

Desired Experience & Qualification

• Proven experience editing specifically for YouTube (portfolio required).
• Strong understanding of YouTube packaging (hooks, retention, thumbnails, pacing).
• Proficiency in Premiere Pro, Final Cut or DaVinci Resolve.
• Strong graphic design skills for thumbnail creation (Photoshop or similar).
• Understanding of short-form vertical content formats.
• Ability to work independently and manage deadlines.
• Experience editing educational, finance or business-related content.
• Experience growing or managing a YouTube channel.