Senior Video Editor

Department: Creative Unit

Location: Chennai

Reporting To: Creative Director

Employment Type: Full-time (Campaign Contract)

Role Overview

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.

Key Responsibilities

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.

Required Qualifications and Skills

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.

Work Expectations

• 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.