Senior Video Editor

Department: Creative Unit

Location: Chennai

Reporting To: Creative Director

Employment Type: Full-time (Campaign Contract)

The Senior Video Editor at Demos Project will serve as the lead executional force behind the digital campaign's video output. This role requires expertise in end-to-end video editing—from rough cuts to final polished outputs—across a variety of political communication formats. The editor must possess deep knowledge of Tamil Nadu's political ecosystem, an instinct for narrative flow, and the ability to deliver high-volume content on aggressive timelines. This position involves not just technical proficiency but also a strategic understanding of how video content influences public opinion.

High-Quality Video Editing

• Edit and deliver professional, engaging videos suited for digital consumption—including but not limited to campaign messaging, speeches, montage sequences, field footage, event recaps, and leader outreach videos.
• Handle video transitions, pacing, background scoring, voice syncing, text animation, and overlay insertions as per campaign language and tone.

Platform-Specific Adaptation

• Export and customize final videos for Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, and X (Twitter), ensuring proper resolution, aspect ratio, compression, subtitles, and branding consistency.
• Work with vertical (9:16), square (1:1), and landscape (16:9) formats with optimized thumbnail and CTA elements.

Visual and Narrative Enhancement

• Incorporate subtitles in Tamil and English accurately with attention to tone and readability. Add graphic enhancements, transitions, kinetic text, and sound elements to increase engagement. 
• Integrate AI-generated visuals or animation clips into video storyboards, collaborating with AI editors and graphic designers.

Workflow and Asset Management

• Maintain an organized project structure, archival system, and master folder repository for video edits.
• Coordinate with the Creative Director for review loops, feedback rounds, and edit approvals.
• Ensure version control, file naming consistency, and safe storage of all sensitive video content.

Team Coordination & Mentorship

• Review, guide, and mentor junior video editors and assist with troubleshooting during high-output phases.
• Help define editing standards, video aesthetics, and internal timelines for recurring or urgent edits.
• Stay in sync with the design team and copywriters to ensure narrative consistency across formats.

Delivery-Oriented Execution

• Provide real-time edits during major campaign events, press interactions, or public appearances.
• Deliver rapid-response videos under tight deadlines, balancing quality and speed.
• Be accountable for daily, weekly, and milestone-based video deliverables as planned by the campaign lead.

Additional Responsibilities

• Apply advanced sound design principles to ensure dialogues, effects, and music tracks meet campaign standards.
• Keep abreast of evolving technological tools such as AI content generation for video and graphics to enhance creative output.
• Bring political thought and context to editing choices, ensuring that the final content aligns with the campaign's strategic messaging.

Education

• Bachelor's degree or diploma in Video Editing, Visual Communication, Media Production, or related disciplines.

Experience

• 4–6 years of experience as a professional video editor with hands-on work in political communication, media houses, creative agencies, or campaign teams.
• A portfolio demonstrating mastery in digital-first political or advocacy content is essential.

Technical Skills

• Proficient in Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro (core editing).
• Experience in After Effects and motion graphics.
• Advanced sound design and audio mastering.
• Basic understanding of CapCut, InShot, or mobile-friendly editors for rapid short-form creation.
• Capable of color correction, audio mastering, green-screen keying, and video compression workflows.
• Familiarity with integrating AI-generated visuals, talking avatars, and cinematic elements.

Creative & Strategic Attributes

• Strong storytelling instincts tailored for political impact and audience persuasion.
• Keen visual sense for building engaging, emotive, and issue-sensitive content.
• Awareness of political thought, campaign narratives, and strategic message framing.
• Awareness of Tamil Nadu's regional nuances, political dynamics, and cultural expectations.
• Disciplined, organized, and proactive in managing video pipelines and daily workload.

• Must be willing to work extended hours, weekends, or on-call during campaign escalations.
• Should be comfortable working on time-sensitive, confidential political materials.
• Ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects under direction and review.
• Must be comfortable researching and implementing emerging AI and digital content creation tools as required.