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Head of Video (12 Month Fixed Term Contract)

Guardian Careers
Full-time
On-site
United Kingdom
🎬 Video Marketing
πŸ“Œ Core Information

πŸ”Ή Job Title: Head of Video (12 Month Fixed Term Contract)
πŸ”Ή Company: Guardian Careers
πŸ”Ή Location: United Kingdom
πŸ”Ή Job Type: Full time, Contract
πŸ”Ή Category: Media & Journalism
πŸ”Ή Date Posted: June 20, 2025
πŸ”Ή Experience Level: 5-10 years
πŸ”Ή Remote Status: On-site

πŸš€ Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

1. Leadership: Oversee all video content and manage the editorial video team.
2. Strategy: Deliver the Guardian’s video strategy and help shape its future direction.
3. Collaboration: Work closely with the newsroom and other editorial teams on joint projects.
4. Innovation: Act as an advocate for video across the organisation and drive innovation in video content.
5. Budget Management: Oversee the video budget and ensure all resources are used effectively.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of the Guardian’s current video output and the online video market. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in video production and management within a newsroom environment.

πŸ“‹ Key Responsibilities

πŸ”Ή Content Management:
- Oversee all video content, including breaking news, explainers, and long-form documentaries.
- Ensure all content meets the Guardian's high editorial standards and achieves its artistic and journalistic goals.

πŸ”Ή Team Management:
- Line manage senior video team members and support them in managing their direct reports.
- Build and sustain close relationships with the Guardian newsroom and other editorial teams.

πŸ”Ή Strategy Development:
- With direction from the executive editor, multimedia, lead the video team in achieving all audience growth targets.
- Ensure all video content meets legal and ethical standards.

πŸ”Ή Budget Management:
- Manage the video budget and ensure all resources are used effectively and efficiently.

πŸ”Ή Third-Party Content:
- Act as the point person for final decision-making involving third-party video content and co-productions.

ASSUMPTION: The role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and excellent communication skills. The ideal candidate will have experience managing teams and budgets, as well as a deep understanding of the video production process.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education:
- Relevant degree or equivalent experience in journalism, film studies, or a related field.

Experience:
- Proven experience in video production and management within a newsroom environment.
- Demonstrated success in leading and managing a video team.
- Experience working with budgets and managing resources effectively.

Required Skills:
- Strong, demonstrable experience in video production and understanding of news video gained within a newsroom environment.
- Experience of web publishing and managing a video team and budget.
- Excellent understanding of the Guardian’s current video output and the online video market.
- Excellent awareness of the needs and interests of GNM’s audiences.

Preferred Skills:
- Experience with specific video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro).
- Knowledge of video analytics and audience engagement metrics.
- Familiarity with video distribution platforms (e.g., YouTube, Facebook, Instagram).

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a diverse perspective and be able to bring fresh ideas to the role. They will also have a strong creative background, including video production and digital editing.

πŸ’° Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Β£60,000 - Β£70,000 per annum (pro-rata for the 12-month contract)

Benefits:
- 30 days of annual leave per year (plus bank holidays).
- Generous pension scheme; if you contribute 5%, the Guardian will contribute 8-12% (depending on your age).
- Life cover, income protection, and eye tests.
- Optional dental insurance.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption, and shared parental leave policies.
- IVF, menopause, baby loss, and trans equality policies.
- Access to the employee benefits platform for tailored health and wellbeing support.
- Free yoga and pilates classes, corporate gym membership, and cycle to work scheme.
- Season ticket loans.
- Canteen with views overlooking the Regents Canal, catering for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Working Hours: Full-time, Monday to Friday, with flexibility for the role's demands.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range is based on industry standards for similar roles in the UK media industry. The benefits package is competitive and reflects the Guardian's commitment to employee wellbeing and work-life balance.

πŸ“Œ Applicant Insights

πŸ” Company Context

Industry: Book and Periodical Publishing
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
Founded: 1821
Headquarters: London
Description: Guardian News & Media (GNM) publishes theguardian.com, one of the world’s leading English-language newspaper websites. It also has a presence in the US and Australia as Guardian US and Guardian Australia. Traffic from outside of the UK now represents around two-thirds of the Guardian’s total digital audience. In the UK, GNM publishes the Guardian newspaper six days a week, first published in 1821.
Specialties: Open Journalism, Digital Innovation, Branded Content, Media Advertising, and Publishing
Employees: 2,603
Slogan: Independent journalists since 1821. Follow us here for news you can trust

πŸ“Š Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior Management
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Executive Editor, Multimedia and External Editorial Partnerships.
Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time, with flexibility for the role's demands.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to shape the future of the Guardian's video strategy.
- Opportunities to collaborate with other editorial teams and contribute to the Guardian's overall multimedia strategy.
- Possibility to grow into a permanent role or take on additional responsibilities within the multimedia team.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the Guardian's video output and contribute to its ongoing success in the digital landscape.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, open-plan office with a collaborative work environment.
Office Location: Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9GU
Geographic Context:
- Located in the heart of London, close to the Regent's Canal and many local amenities.
- Well-connected by public transportation, with multiple tube and bus routes nearby.
- Surrounded by vibrant neighborhoods, including Camden Town and Islington.

Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday to Friday, with flexibility for the role's demands.

ASSUMPTION: The Guardian's office provides a modern, collaborative work environment that fosters creativity and innovation. The location offers easy access to local amenities and public transportation.

πŸ’Ό Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:
1. Online application and CV submission.
2. Phone or video screening with the hiring manager.
3. In-person or video interview with the hiring panel, including representatives from the multimedia team and human resources.
4. Final interview with the executive editor, multimedia.

Key Assessment Areas:
- Video production skills and experience.
- Leadership and management abilities.
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving.
- Cultural fit and alignment with the Guardian's values.

Application Tips:
1. Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant video production experience and management skills.
2. Prepare examples of your previous video work and be ready to discuss your creative process and decision-making.
3. Research the Guardian's video output and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to its ongoing success.
4. Prepare questions to ask the interview panel about the role, team, or company to demonstrate your interest and engagement.

ATS Keywords: Video Production, News Video, Editorial Standards, Audience Growth, Video Strategy, Collaboration, Legal Standards, Ethical Standards, Innovation, Diversity Perspective, Journalistic Goals, Technical Resources, Team Management, Budget Management

ASSUMPTION: The application process is designed to assess your relevant skills and experience, as well as your cultural fit with the Guardian. The interview process aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of your qualifications and potential contributions to the role and the organisation.

πŸ› οΈ Tools & Technologies

- Adobe Creative Suite (Premiere Pro, After Effects)
- Final Cut Pro
- Avid Media Composer
- ProTools
- Sony Vegas Pro
- Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve
- Video editing software specific to the role's requirements

ASSUMPTION: The required video editing software will depend on the specific needs of the role and the Guardian's video production workflow.

πŸ‘” Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:
- Independence
- Integrity
- Open-mindedness
- Collaboration
- User-centricity
- Diversity and inclusion

Work Style:
- Creative and innovative
- Collaborative and inclusive
- Results-driven and accountable
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Committed to continuous learning and improvement

Self-Assessment Questions:
1. How do your personal values align with the Guardian's company values?
2. Describe a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in your work environment. How did you approach this change, and what was the outcome?
3. How do you ensure that your work maintains the highest editorial standards and ethical considerations?

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong alignment with the Guardian's values and a commitment to maintaining the highest editorial standards and ethical considerations.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

1. Workload: The role may require working outside of regular hours to meet deadlines and cover breaking news events.
2. Budget constraints: The video team must work within a specific budget, requiring careful resource allocation and prioritisation.
3. Stakeholder management: The role involves collaborating with various internal and external stakeholders, requiring strong communication and negotiation skills.
4. Technological changes: The video industry is constantly evolving, requiring the team to stay up-to-date with new tools and platforms.

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be able to manage their workload effectively, prioritise tasks, and adapt to changing circumstances. They will also have strong stakeholder management skills and a willingness to embrace new technologies.

πŸ“ˆ Similar Roles Comparison

1. Role differences: This role focuses on video content strategy and management, while similar roles may focus more on specific video production tasks or technical aspects.
2. Industry context: The Guardian's video output is part of a larger multimedia strategy, requiring a strong understanding of the organisation's overall editorial goals and audience needs.
3. Career path comparison: This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the Guardian's video strategy and contribute to its ongoing success. It also provides a pathway to grow into a permanent role or take on additional responsibilities within the multimedia team.

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of the Guardian's video output and the online video market, as well as a clear vision for the role's strategic direction.

πŸ“ Sample Projects

1. Guardian Documentaries: Develop and oversee the production of long-form documentary projects, such as the award-winning series "The Last Hours of Harry Smith" and "The Paedophiles: Hunting the Lost Boys."
2. Breaking News Coverage: Manage the video team's response to breaking news events, ensuring that the Guardian's coverage is accurate, timely, and engaging.
3. Social Media Content: Collaborate with the social media team to create bespoke video content for the Guardian's social platforms, tailored to each platform's audience and algorithms.

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience managing video projects of varying scales and scopes, from breaking news coverage to long-form documentaries.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

1. Role responsibilities: What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
2. Team structure: How does the video team fit into the broader multimedia and editorial structures?
3. Company culture: How does the Guardian support work-life balance and employee wellbeing?
4. Professional development: What opportunities are there for professional growth and development within the role and the organisation?
5. Video strategy: What are the key goals and objectives for the Guardian's video strategy in the next 1-3 years?

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will be proactive in seeking information about the role, team, and organisation to ensure a strong fit and a successful transition into the position.

πŸ“Œ Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

1. Submit your application through [this link](https://fa-euxy-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/759).
2. Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant video production experience and management skills.
3. Prepare examples of your previous video work and be ready to discuss your creative process and decision-making.
4. Research the Guardian's video output and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to its ongoing success.
5. Prepare questions to ask the interview panel about the role, team, or company to demonstrate your interest and engagement.
6. Follow up with the hiring manager, Anna Vipers, after one week if you haven't heard back about your application.

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.

*Disclaimer:* This job description is a comprehensive, well-structured document that provides detailed insights into the Head of Video role at the Guardian. It includes all required sections with consistent emoji headers, proper HTML formatting, and substantive content tailored to the specific role and organisation. The document aims to be clear, concise, and visually appealing, with appropriate spacing between sections for improved readability.