Lead Video Editor

Transform raw footage into content that helps real estate agents win in their local markets

About Knwn Local

We're a creative agency on a mission: scale from 55 to 200+ YouTube channels while helping real estate agents become the most trusted voices in their markets. We build long-form video strategies that create real authority and drive actual business results.

The proof is in our growth:

Scaling fast from 55 to 200+ channels
Building systematic production operations that work at scale
Helping agents win deals through strategic content, not viral gimmicks

We believe in extreme ownership, proactive curiosity, and beyond excellence. If that resonates, you'll thrive here.

We're hiring a Lead Editor to deliver high-quality edits consistently and help us maintain our quality standards across the team as we scale.

To Apply Now:

The Role

As a Lead Editor at Knwn Local, you'll build and develop a team of video editors who transform raw real estate content into high-impact YouTube videos that help agents dominate their local markets. This is a player-coach leadership role where you'll spend 70-90% of your time managing, mentoring, and building systems, and 10-30% hands-on editing complex projects.

You'll own editing quality standards, team development, and operational excellence within your pod, partnering closely with Pod Managers, YouTube Managers, and Strategists to deliver retention-driven content at scale. Your success is measured not by how many videos you edit, but by how well your team performs, grows, and retains talent.

This role is perfect for someone who loves developing editors as much as editing itselfsomeone who gets energized by building systems, coaching talent, and multiplying their impact through others. If you want to stay purely hands-on without management responsibilities, or purely hands-off without getting in the weeds of editing, this isn't the right fit.

To Apply Now:

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 the support of multiple Senior Editors & YouTube Managers)
Lead weekly team edit reviews with constructive feedback and best practice sharing
Lead monthly team trainings for the editing team culture & growth
Build comprehensive onboarding programs and training materials for new editor hires
Create career development pathways with clear promotion criteria for your team
Conduct performance reviews and manage accountability through the Clarify Instrument Coach Decide framework
Participate in hiring (screening portfolios, conducting interviews, making hiring recommendations)
Build 2-5+ year relationships with editors through proactive retention and engagement strategies
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 your team
Establish QA processes that maintain >85% First-Approval Rate across all editors
Serve as final quality review and approval 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 performance)
Drive continuous improvement through weekly "edit of the week" reviews and retrospectives

Strategic Collaboration (10-15% of role)

Partner with Pod Manager and YouTube Managers on content strategy and creative direction
Participate in Monthly Client Strategy Calls to present editing approach and performance insights
Collaborate cross-functionally 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 function 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
Model excellence by staying hands-on with the craft and maintaining YouTube editing fluency
Stay current on YouTube editing trends, competitor content, and platform algorithm changes
Experiment with new techniques and tools, sharing learnings and innovations 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. You should be passionate about developing talent and building systems that multiply impact across a team, not just delivering great edits yourself.

Leadership & Management Experience

5-7+ years of professional video editing experience with 2+ years 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 - you can troubleshoot complex technical 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 showcasing both your 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 (approval rates, turnaround times, retention)
Skilled at documentation - SOPs, training materials, and knowledge management
Process optimization mindset - constantly looking for ways to improve efficiency 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 and performance insights
Understanding of editing team economics (capacity planning, turnaround times, quality vs. speed tradeoffs)
Experience partnering cross-functionally with strategists, writers, designers, and YouTube managers
Can navigate ambiguity and make decisions with incomplete information
Thinks beyond individual edits to how editing impacts channel growth and client business 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 (keeping leadership informed), across (collaborating with peers), and down (developing direct reports)
Proactive communication style - you flag capacity issues, quality concerns, and team challenges before they become crises
Comfortable with difficult conversations (performance issues, client escalations, conflict resolution)
Can translate technical editing concepts into language that non-editors understand

Work Style & Mindset

Player-coach mentality - willing to stay hands-on with editing (10-20% of time) while primarily focusing on team leadership
Excellent organizational skills managing both your own work and your team's project pipeline
Ability to balance competing priorities: team development, quality standards, client deadlines, and strategic initiatives
Comfortable context-switching between hands-on editing, team coaching, client calls, and strategic planning
Thrives in fast-paced, high-growth environments where processes are constantly evolving
Gets energized by developing talent and seeing team members succeed

Cultural Leadership

Extreme Ownership - Takes full accountability for team results; models this for direct reports
Beyond Excellence - Sets impossibly high standards and inspires team to consistently exceed them
Proactive Curiosity - Anticipates problems, asks better questions, and stays ahead of issues
Mission Focus - Obsesses about client success and team development, not personal recognition

Results You'll Drive

Team Performance

Your editing team consistently maintains >85% First-Approval Rate across all editors
Editor retention rate exceeds 85% annually with clear development and career progression
New editors productive at 80% capacity within 60 days through your training systems
100% of direct reports show measurable skill improvement quarter-over-quarter
Team operates at 80-90% capacity utilization - productive output without burnout

Quality & Systems

Zero client escalations due to editing quality issues or missed deadlines from your team
95%+ on-time delivery rate across your entire team's project portfolio
Editing workflows, templates, and style guides documented and adopted agency-wide
Average video retention improves 5-10% year-over-year through data-driven editing strategies

Strategic Impact

Editing function viewed as strategic partner by Pod Managers and leadership
Successfully contribute to client strategy with editing insights that drive performance
Your team supports clients publishing 4+ videos per month consistently
Client satisfaction scores remain >4.5/5 for editing quality and communication
At least 1-2 editors promoted or advancement-ready annually due to your mentorship

Player-Coach Excellence

Edit 2-4 high-complexity videos per week as benchmarks and training examples
Your edits consistently achieve 8-10% average retention (above platform benchmarks)
Model extreme ownership, excellence, and proactive curiosity through your work

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Salary: $36,000 - $60,000 USD annually (based on experience and team size managed)

What We Offer:

Fully Remote
Flexible Time Off policy (we trust you to manage your time and energy)
Annual Holiday Breaks
Leadership development program
Access to industry-leading tools, plugins, and AI-assisted editing software
Opportunities to earn Monthly wellness allowance, Home office stipend, Professional development budget &/or Health Insurance Reimbursement (after 60-90 day trial period)
Clear career progression with transparent promotion criteria

REAL TALK:

This is an early-stage startup scaling rapidly. You'll face challenges - processes break, priorities shift, and things get messy. We need people who are resilient, resourceful, and committed long-term.

But if you want to:

Build a world-class editing team and multiply your impact 10x
Develop editors and watch them grow beyond their potential
Help America's top real estate leaders dominate their local markets
Build something meaningful from 55 to 200+ channels

This is the place.

This role is player-coach (10-25% hands-on editing, 75%+ leadership). If you want to focus purely on editing without managing people, this isn't the right fit.

Location

Remote-first,

Our Core Values

Extreme Ownership Take responsibility for your work and outcomes. No excuses, just solutions.

Beyond Excellence Care about the details. Deliver work that exceeds expectations.

Proactive Curiosity Don't wait to be told. Ask questions, identify problems, suggest solutions.

Mission Focus Remember: your edits help real estate agents build their businesses. That matters.

Ready to Apply Now?

Submit your application:

We primarily look at those who apply above.

Pay $36K - $60K+ USD a year (depending on experience)

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