Film and Video Editor Job Description
Use this template to create a clear, role-specific job advert for hiring a film and video editor. It covers typical responsibilities, realistic requirements and the practical candidate information editors expect to see.
What does a Film and Video Editor professional do?
A film and video editor shapes raw footage into finished videos for film, broadcast and online distribution, working with producers and directors to realise a project’s creative and technical brief.
Film and Video Editor job description template
Use this employer-ready example as a starting point, then replace the placeholders and adjust the content so it accurately reflects your vacancy.
Film and Video Editor
About the role
[Company name] is looking for a Film and Video Editor to join our [team/production unit] in [Location]. This [full-time/permanent/freelance] role will edit short- and long-form projects across [film/TV/digital], delivering polished cuts to brief, preparing broadcast- or web-ready files and collaborating with producers, colourists and sound editors. Salary: [Insert salary or rate].
Key responsibilities
- Edit and assemble footage, audio and graphics into coherent sequences that support the project brief and narrative.
- Work with directors, producers and other post teams to deliver creative and technical edits on schedule.
- Manage ingesting, organising and backing up camera files, audio and assets; maintain a clear folder and timeline structure.
- Prepare and deliver final masters and delivery packages to required codecs, formats and technical specifications.
- Implement feedback, manage version control and document edit decisions and change requests.
- Contribute to creative problem solving around pacing, continuity, sound, and visual storytelling.
- Coordinate with colour grading and sound departments to ensure final picture and audio quality meets standards.
Essential skills and experience
- Proven professional experience editing film, television or commercial video content and a portfolio/showreel of recent work.
- Proficiency with at least one industry-standard non-linear editor (for example Adobe Premiere Pro, Avid Media Composer or DaVinci Resolve).
- Practical knowledge of common codecs, frame rates and delivery formats and good file-management practices.
- Strong storytelling sense, attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines under pressure.
- Good communication and collaboration skills when working with directors, producers and post teams.
Desirable
- Experience of colour grading workflows or working alongside a colourist.
- Motion-graphics or compositing experience (After Effects, Fusion or similar).
- Familiarity with broadcast delivery specs and transmission requirements.
- Experience using shared storage and collaborative editing systems (e.g. Avid NEXIS, shared SAN/NAS).
- Camera operation, lighting or sound-recording experience.
What we offer
- [Pension contributions]
- [Flexible working / hybrid options]
- [Annual training or development allowance]
- [Equipment or software stipend]
- [Paid annual leave]
- [Travel or location allowance]
How to apply
Apply with your CV and any additional information requested. Make the interview process, closing date and any assessment stages clear where known.
Use this as a starting point rather than a final advert. The strongest version will reflect the real role, salary, location, systems, responsibilities, benefits and working arrangements.
What is a Film and Video Editor role?
A film and video editor organises and assembles recorded footage into a finished product that fulfills a creative brief and technical delivery requirements. Editors combine picture, sound and graphics to craft narrative flow and emotional impact, liaising with directors, producers, colourists and sound teams. The role requires both creative judgement and reliable technical skills to deliver compliant masters for broadcast or online platforms.
Typical employers
Film and television production companies, advertising agencies, post-production houses and in-house content teams for brands and broadcasters.
Hours
Often full-time hours for staff editors; project-based and variable schedules are common. Overtime may be required near deadlines.
Contract types
Permanent staff roles, fixed-term contracts for specific projects, or freelance/day-rate bookings.
Core tools
Non-linear editing software, shared storage systems, audio editing and basic motion-graphics applications.
Typical Film and Video Editor responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Edit and assemble footage
Edit and assemble footage, audio and graphics into coherent sequences that support the project brief and narrative.
Work with directors
Work with directors, producers and other post teams to deliver creative and technical edits on schedule.
Manage ingesting
Manage ingesting, organising and backing up camera files, audio and assets; maintain a clear folder and timeline structure.
Prepare
Prepare and deliver final masters and delivery packages to required codecs, formats and technical specifications.
Implement feedback
Implement feedback, manage version control and document edit decisions and change requests.
Contribute
Contribute to creative problem solving around pacing, continuity, sound, and visual storytelling.
Coordinate with colour grading
Coordinate with colour grading and sound departments to ensure final picture and audio quality meets standards.
Film and Video Editor skills and experience to look for
Keep the essential list focused on what the person really needs to perform the role. Move useful-but-trainable experience into desirable criteria.
Usually worth prioritising
- Proven professional experience editing film, television or commercial video content and a portfolio/showreel of recent work.
- Proficiency with at least one industry-standard non-linear editor (for example Adobe Premiere Pro, Avid Media Composer or DaVinci Resolve).
- Practical knowledge of common codecs, frame rates and delivery formats and good file-management practices.
- Strong storytelling sense, attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines under pressure.
- Good communication and collaboration skills when working with directors, producers and post teams.
Useful where relevant
- Experience of colour grading workflows or working alongside a colourist.
- Motion-graphics or compositing experience (After Effects, Fusion or similar).
- Familiarity with broadcast delivery specs and transmission requirements.
- Experience using shared storage and collaborative editing systems (e.g. Avid NEXIS, shared SAN/NAS).
- Camera operation, lighting or sound-recording experience.
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a Film and Video Editor job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
Lead with the work
Specify the types of projects the candidate will edit (documentary, short-form social, broadcast, commercials) so applicants can match their showreel.
Request a concise showreel
Ask for a 2–5 minute showreel plus links to full projects. State whether source files or timestamps for relevant scenes are helpful.
Be clear on technical expectations
State which NLEs, codecs and delivery formats you use and whether experience with collaborative storage or version control is required.
Outline the edit workflow
Briefly explain the team structure (director-led, producer-led, solo editor) and typical handoffs (dailies, labelling, approval rounds).
Set turnaround and revision norms
Clarify typical turnaround times, number of revision rounds and whether weekend or late work is expected for tight deadlines.
Film and Video Editor salary considerations
Editor pay varies widely. Rather than a single market figure, set compensation according to the role’s responsibilities and the production context. Consider whether the post is staff or freelance, the complexity and length of projects, required technical skills, and local labour costs.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What Film and Video Editor candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
What editing systems and software will I be expected to use?
Candidates want to know the primary NLEs, any required plugins, shared storage or remote collaboration tools so they can confirm technical fit.
Who will I report to and who is on the post team?
Clarify whether the editor works directly with a director, producer or a post-production manager and whether there are separate colour/sound teams.
What types of projects and runtimes will I edit?
Editors expect to know if the role focuses on long-form documentary, short-form branded content or broadcast pieces, as this affects workflow and portfolio relevance.
What are the typical hours, and is overtime common?
Be explicit about regular hours, weekend or evening work during deadlines and how overtime or extra fees are handled for freelancers.
What are the delivery and technical specifications?
Provide the usual codecs, resolutions and delivery platforms (broadcast vs web) so candidates can assess their ability to meet your standards.
Who owns the rights and how are revisions handled?
State whether the company takes full delivery rights, how many revision rounds are included and how additional changes are managed contractually.
Where to post a Film and Video Editor job
Reach editors through a mix of broad UK job boards and specialist creative channels. For full‑time or permanent roles, promote on general job boards, LinkedIn and production/film industry sites; for short-term or freelance roles, include production marketplaces and creative freelancer communities. Also consider local film schools, regional production hubs and industry-specific social groups to attract candidates with relevant local experience.
Related creative & media job descriptions
Recruiting for a slightly different role? These templates may be a closer fit.
Film and Video Editor job description FAQs
Should I require a degree for this role?
No — many strong editors are self‑taught or progressed through assistant roles. Prior professional editing experience and a demonstrable showreel are more important than a formal degree.
How should I assess an editor’s technical skills during shortlisting?
Request a focused showreel (2–5 minutes) and examples of full projects or timestamps for relevant scenes. Ask practical questions about their workflow, codecs used and how they manage file backups and version control.
Do I need to state exact software in the advert?
Yes — listing the primary NLE and any essential tools helps attract candidates who can work immediately in your environment and reduces unsuitable applications.
What’s the best way to advertise a one‑off freelance edit?
Target production marketplaces, freelance networks, specialist Facebook or Slack groups, and local production contacts. Be clear on deliverables, deadlines, expected revisions and whether remote work is acceptable.
How do I handle rights and deliverables in the job advert?
In the advert state who will hold usage rights and whether the editor should expect to hand over project files. More detailed IP and delivery terms belong in the contract or brief.
Ready to hire?
Use the advert paragraph above as the basis for your vacancy listing. Add project examples, technical specs and portfolio instructions to attract candidates who match your creative and technical needs.
