Long-Form YouTube Video Editor for 4M+ Sub Channel (FULL TIME)

Job description

Location: Remote

Reports To: YouTube Channel Manager

Compensation: 20,000-40,000 ZAR + 25% of Channel Ad Revenue



Important note: Please read the application process carefully. It's at the bottom of this post.



Applications that do not follow the application process will be deleted.



Role Overview

IELTS Advantage has 4M+ subscribers and generates millions of monthly views teaching people how to achieve Band 7+ IELTS scores. We're scaling from 1 to 2 long-form videos weekly, and we need a video editor who can own retention, pacing, and storytelling—not someone waiting to be told where to cut.



This is not a "make my footage pretty" role. You'll work with our YouTube Channel Manager to translate complex educational concepts into engaging visual stories. You'll analyze retention graphs, identify drop-off points, and fix them in your next edit. 



We have 1 full-time editor and 2 part-time editors already. You'll be joining a team of A-players who care deeply about craft, operate with high autonomy, and hold each other to professional standards. If you want to be the best editor in a room of mediocre ones, this isn't it. If you want to be a great editor in a room of great editors, read on.



Please note that this is a full-time role. We do not accept applications from anyone who wishes to work freelance for multiple clients. 



Why This Role Matters



YouTube organic is our highest-value channel. Every video you edit directly impacts revenue.

We've proven the model works. We now need to systematize, scale, and maintain quality as we double output. 



If you're an editor who loves storytelling, optimizing for audience retention, and seeing your work drive real business results, this role will energize you.



If you need someone to tell you exactly how to cut every scene, want lots of meetings, or think editing is just technical execution—this isn't the right fit. 



Compensation & Growth



Base:20,000-40,000 ZAR



Performance Bonus Structure:

• 25% of monthly total channel ad revenue
• Shared company revenue bonus
• Monthly team performance bonus

Total Potential: R24,600-R41,000/Month


Growth Path:

• 12-18 months: Lead Editor (coordinating other editors on complex projects)
• 18-36 months: Creative Director (owning creative strategy across all video formats)
• Direct involvement in hiring, managing, and training future editors as we scale

Learning Path:

• Work directly with a founder who built a 13M+ follower content machine from scratch
• Unlimited learning budget for courses, software, or events that improve your value
• Access to Ed Lawrence, Caleb Ralston, and Alex Hormozi's content advisory programs

Responsibilities



1. Own YouTube Retention (Your North Star Metric)



Performance Analysis:

• Analyze YouTube Studio retention graphs for every video you edit
• Identify specific drop-off points and understand why audiences leave
• Implement fixes in future edits based on data, not guesses
• Track your videos' average view duration (AVD) and retention curves against benchmarks

Strategic Input:

• Participate in pre-production strategy calls with the Channel Manager
• Suggest structural changes that will improve retention before footage exists
• Understand the business goal behind every video (lead generation vs. trust-building vs.sales)

2. Educational Storytelling (Not Just Retention Hacking)



Visual Teaching:

• Translate complex IELTS concepts into clear visual explanations
• Use motion graphics, text overlays, and B-roll to enhance understanding (not distract)
• Balance pacing: fast enough to retain attention, slow enough to enable learning

Brand Consistency:

• Maintain visual language across all videos (transitions, graphics style, pacing)

3. Production Pipeline Management



Execution:

• Manage 2-3 videos simultaneously through your editing queue
• Deliver first cuts on schedule without requiring reminders
• Implement feedback quickly and accurately (typically 1-2 revision rounds max)
• Communicate proactively when timelines are at risk and propose solutions

Quality Standards:

• Every video must meet quality bar before you mark it complete
• Color grade consistently, balance audio properly, fix technical issues
• Catch mistakes before the Channel Manager has to flag them

4. System Building for Scale



Process Documentation:

• Create templates and workflows that enable consistency as we scale
• Document your editing process so others can replicate your quality
• Build presets, templates, and shortcuts that increase speed without sacrificing quality
• Identify inefficiencies in the current system and propose improvements

Knowledge Transfer:

• Train new editors as we grow (you'll help hire your future teammates)
• Create a visual style guide that codifies your decisions
• Build systems that reduce reliance on "just ask Chris"

5. Occasional Short-Form Support



Cross-Platform Repurposing:

• Occasionally, create short-form content from long-form testimonial videos and create video ads (not your primary focus)
• Understand how short-form differs: faster pacing, stronger hooks, platform-specific optimization

Results You'll Own



Retention Performance:

• Maintain or improve average view duration (AVD) on your videos
• Reduce drop-off rates at critical teaching moments
• Track your videos against channel benchmarks and consistently meet or exceed them

Output Consistency:

• Deliver assigned videos on schedule 100% of the time
• First-cut quality high enough that most videos require only one revision round
• Zero missed deadlines due to poor planning or communication

Quality Standards:

• Every video meets technical quality bar (audio, color, pacing, graphics)
• Positive feedback from Channel Manager on storytelling and retention optimization
• Audience comments reflect comprehension and engagement (not confusion)

Team Contribution:

• Proactively suggest process improvements that increase team efficiency
• Help train and onboard future editors as we scale
• Reduce Channel Manager's involvement in editing decisions by solving problems independently

Requirements



Non-Negotiables:

• 3+ years editing YouTube long-form content with documented performance results
• Portfolio showing educational or instructional content (not just vlogs or entertainment)
• Expert-level Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro (DaVinci Resolve acceptable)
• Strong understanding of YouTube retention metrics and how editing impacts them
• Clean, organized project file management (we'll check during the test edit)
• Self-directed: you solve problems without waiting for permission
• Ability to work during UK business hours for collaboration and communication with the team

Strong Preferences:

• Experience with educational content and/or channels with 100K+ subscribers
• Motion graphics skills (After Effects, Motion, or similar)
• Understanding of how editing decisions impact lead generation and conversion
• Experience working async with distributed teams

Who Will Fail in This Role:

• Editors who need frame-by-frame direction on every cut
• Those who say "that's not my job" when something needs doing
• Anyone who takes feedback personally instead of professionally
• Editors who make the same mistake twice

Who Will Thrive:

• You understand editing is storytelling first, software operation second
• You get energized by data showing your edits improved retention
• You prefer async communication and deep work over constant meetings
• You're comfortable being held accountable for performance metrics
• You want to work with other A-players who push you to improve
• You see feedback as professional development, not personal criticism

Rhythm & Communication



Weekly:

• Strategy sync with Channel Manager (video goals, priorities, feedback)
• Upload your completed first cuts to the review system
• Brief status update on your pipeline (what's on track, what needs attention)

Monthly:

• Retention performance review (your videos' metrics vs. benchmarks)
• Process improvement proposals (what could work better?)
• Learning budget requests (courses, software, equipment)

Communication Style:

• Async-first: Loom videos, Frame.io comments, Slack updates
• Proactive: Flag issues before they become problems
• Solution-oriented: "Here's the problem, here's what I propose, approve?"
• Ownership mindset: "Here's what happened, here's what I did about it"

Core Values (How We Actually Operate)

• Truth Over Shortcuts – We never compromise quality for speed or manipulate students for conversions
• Outcomes Over Hours – We measure results, not time spent
• Process Over Luck – Build repeatable systems, don't rely on inspiration
• Simplicity Over Complexity – The simplest solution that works is always best
• Honesty Above All Else- You welcome feedback and live in reality

Application Process



Please read this. It's important.



We value your time. No lengthy cover letters required.



Step 1: Submit Your Application

1. Click this link: https://form.typeform.com/to/sDK18okz
2. Complete the 5-minute application form

Step 2: Screening Call (Invited Candidates Only)

If your application stands out, we'll schedule a brief call to verify basics and ensure alignment before moving forward.



Step 3: Technical Interview

Should you pass the screening call, we'll move on to discuss real editing challenges we face and how you'd solve them. We want to see how you think, not just what software you know.



Step 4: Paid Test Edit

If you progress, we'll send you a paid test project:

• You'll edit a real IELTS lesson video (15-20 minutes).
• We'll provide raw footage, script, and brand guidelines.
• You'll have 3-5 days to complete it.
• We'll pay you fairly for your time (above market rate for test projects).

Step 5: Final Culture Interview

If your test edit is strong, we'll have a final conversation about:

• Company culture fit.
• Whether this role is actually for you.

Step 6: Trial Period (Final Candidates)

If the test edit is strong, we'll do a 30-60 day paid trial:

• You'll edit 4-6 real videos that go live on the channel
• You'll work directly with the Channel Manager and existing editors
• We'll assess autonomy, retention performance, and cultural fit

If the trial goes well, you transition to full-time.



Ready to own YouTube retention for a 4M+ subscriber education channel?



Apply here: https://form.typeform.com/to/sDK18okz

Requirements

1. Adobe Premiere Pro / Final Cut Pro / DaVinci Resolve (expert-level)
2. YouTube retention metrics analysis
3. Motion graphics (After Effects or similar)
4. Educational/instructional content editing
5. Project file management
6. Data-driven optimization
7. Async communication
8. Visual storytelling

Company Description

IELTS Advantage is the world's leading IELTS test preparation company with 4M+ YouTube subscribers and millions of monthly views. We help students achieve Band 7+ scores through proven strategies and have produced more success stories than any other IELTS school globally. Founded by Chris Pell, we focus on simplifying IELTS preparation and delivering honest, results-driven education.

Posted on 15 Jan 15:08, Closing date 15 Mar