Freelance Video Editor

The Variable; Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

The Variable, a forward-thinking advertising agency, is seeking a Freelance Video Editor to bring creative ideas to life through compelling video content for clients and the agency. You will turn footage and direction into engaging stories across social, digital campaigns, and brand storytelling.

This project-based role values emerging talent with strong instincts, technical skill, curiosity, and a willingness to learn.

Qualifications

• 1–3+ years of video editing experience across client or agency projects.
• Portfolio or reel demonstrating editing, storytelling, and potential.
• Proficiency in Premiere Pro; After Effects/DaVinci Resolve are a plus.
• Understanding of post-production workflows and export delivery.

Responsibilities

• Edit video content across social, digital, and brand campaigns.
• Transform raw footage into clear, engaging stories aligned with direction and platform.
• Support post-production with organization, rough/final cuts, color and sound.
• Version content for multiple formats and aspect ratios for social.
• Collaborate with editors, producers, directors, and art directors.
• Incorporate feedback and manage timelines proactively.

Skills

Video editing

Creative storytelling

Education

Degree in Film/Media/Design (or related)

Tools

Adobe Premiere Pro

After Effects

DaVinci Resolve

Job description

The Variable is a forward-thinking advertising agency focused on driving ownable differentiation for our clients. We believe the strongest results happen when brand and performance work together, creating ideas that break through, spend that works harder, and outcomes that multiply. With a dedication to innovation and strategic partnership, we work as true client partners to deliver creative that inspires, strategies that perform, and results that matter.

POSITION SUMMARY

As a Freelance Video Editor at The Variable, you’ll help bring creative ideas to life through compelling, well-crafted video content for our clients and agency. Working alongside our creative and production teams, you’ll turn footage and creative direction into engaging stories across a variety of formats and platforms, from social content and digital campaigns to longer-form brand storytelling.

This is a flexible, project-based freelance opportunity for an editor who is eager to build their craft, collaborate with experienced creatives, and work across a wide range of video projects. We’re especially interested in emerging talent with strong creative instincts, technical skills, curiosity, and a willingness to learn.

While freelance needs will vary based on our project pipeline, we’re looking to build relationships with editors we can turn to regularly as needs arise, with the potential for the relationship to grow over time.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Creative Craft

• Edit video content across a variety of formats, including social, digital, branded content, campaign assets, and other client and agency needs.
• Transform raw footage into clear, engaging stories that align with creative direction, brand objectives, and the intended platform.
• Support the post-production process, including footage organization, rough and fine cuts, basic color correction, sound editing, graphics, and final asset preparation.
• Apply a strong eye for pacing, composition, music, transitions, and visual storytelling to elevate each edit.
• Adapt and version existing content into cutdowns, multiple formats, lengths, aspect ratios and platform-specific executions, particularly for evolving social content needs.
• Explore AI tools, emerging editing technologies, and new creative techniques that can improve workflows and expand what’s possible in post-production.
• Work comfortably across both polished campaign work and quick-turn, scrappy content needs, adapting the level of craft and approach to the assignment.
• Work closely with editors, producers, directors, art directors, and other creative team members to bring creative concepts to life.
• Take direction and incorporate internal and client feedback thoughtfully and efficiently throughout the editing process.
• Manage assigned work against project timelines and communicate proactively about progress, questions, or potential challenges.
• Manage assigned work against project timelines, including quick-turn needs, and communicate proactively about progress, questions, or potential challenges.
• Maintain organized project files and follow established post-production workflows to make collaboration and handoffs seamless.
• Ensure final deliverables meet technical specifications, brand standards, and creative expectations.
• Bring curiosity and a collaborative mindset to the work, asking questions and contributing ideas that can make the final product stronger.

Team & Agency Contribution

• Serve as a flexible editing resource for both one-off needs and ongoing project-based assignments as our production needs evolve.
• Stay current on editing trends, social platforms, storytelling techniques, and emerging post-production tools.
• Be open to learning from more experienced members of the creative and production teams and applying feedback to continually strengthen your craft.
• Contribute to a collaborative, resourceful environment where strong creative work and smart problem-solving go hand in hand.

KEY TRAITS

• Creative Instinct: You have a strong eye and an emerging point of view about what makes video engaging, memorable, and effective.
• Craft-Minded: You care about the details — from the timing of a cut to the choice of music — and want every edit to feel intentional.
• Collaborative: You enjoy working with others, welcome feedback, and understand that the best work gets better through collaboration.
• Curious & Eager to Learn: You’re excited to build your skills, experiment with new techniques, and learn from experienced creative and production partners.
• Adaptable & Dependable: You can move between different types of projects, manage deadlines, and communicate clearly when priorities shift.
• Socially Fluent: You understand how video storytelling changes across platforms and are interested in the fast-moving world of social content.
• Tech Curious: You’re interested in emerging AI and post-production tools and how they can make the editing process faster, smarter, or more creatively ambitious.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 1–3+ years of video editing experience through professional, freelance, internship, academic, or other relevant creative work.
• A portfolio, website, or reel demonstrating strong editing fundamentals, visual storytelling, and creative potential is required. Please include a link with your application.
• Working proficiency in Adobe Premiere Pro; experience with After Effects, DaVinci Resolve, or other post-production tools is a plus.
• Understanding of basic post-production workflows, including media organization, sound, color, graphics, exports, and file delivery.
• Familiarity with editing content for social and digital platforms and an understanding of platform-specific formats and best practices.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and time management.
• Ability to receive feedback and translate creative direction into thoughtful edits.
• Interest in AI-assisted editing tools and emerging video technologies is a plus.
• Degree in Film, Media Production, Design, or a related field is welcome but not required; we’re equally interested in the strength of your work and your potential.

FREELANCE ENGAGEMENT

This is a freelance, project-based role with hours that will vary depending on client and production needs. Assignments may range from one-off projects to more consistent part-time support.

We have a strong preference for editors based in or near Winston-Salem, North Carolina, who can work alongside our team in person when a project benefits from close collaboration. However, we’re open to considering strong candidates outside the area depending on experience and project needs.

Freelance rates will be based on experience, skill level, and the scope of each engagement. For the right person, there may be opportunities to build a more consistent freelance relationship with The Variable over time.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

We are an EOE and proudly embrace diversity in all its forms. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, national origin, veteran status, or disability.