📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Social Video Producer
🔹 Company: Houston Chronicle
🔹 Location: Houston, Texas, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full time
🔹 Category: Newspaper Publishing
🔹 Date Posted: May 5, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office per week)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Editing short-form video content for social platforms
- Collaborating with Visuals staff to create engaging videos
- Researching and producing timely, fascinating, and impactful videos
- Experimenting with new video formats to grow engagement and reach new audiences
- Working with Audience and Content teams to create videos that connect with millions of readers
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of social media platforms and their unique content requirements, as well as the ability to work quickly and efficiently under tight deadlines.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Edit social video packages that engage readers and reflect the voice of the Chronicle
✅ Post to proper channels, ensuring videos have correct tags, title, descriptions, and adhere to SEO best practices
✅ Research, pitch, and produce timely, fascinating, and impactful videos that reach a wide audience
✅ Continuously test new video formats, tools, and approaches to grow engagement and reach new audiences
✅ Effectively collaborate with Visual, Audience, and Content teams
✅ Stay plugged into local/breaking news, with a laser focus on video and social content
✅ Use analytics and audience insights to shape content decisions and track performance
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creativity, adaptability, and strong communication skills to work effectively with various teams and stakeholders.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 1-3 years of experience creating social video, preferably in a newsroom environment
Required Skills:
- Mastery in quick-turn social video editing for platforms like TikTok, IG, and YouTube
- Proficiency in CapCut, Canva, Adobe Premiere, and motion graphics
- Strong visual storytelling instincts, with a knack for framing, pacing, and compelling hooks
- Passion for exploring new techniques in audience development and willingness to learn and utilize new and existing forms of tracking digital analytics to guide content decisions
- Fast, organized, technical problem solver able to consistently meet deadlines
- Enjoys working in teams and has excellent interpersonal skills
- Ability to work a flexible schedule for breaking news and special content opportunities
Preferred Skills:
- Fluency in Spanish
- Experience with video journalism software and equipment
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in a newsroom environment and a strong portfolio showcasing their video editing skills will be highly competitive for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $45,000 - $60,000 per year (based on industry standards for a Social Video Producer with 1-3 years of experience in Houston, TX)
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays)
- Employee discounts on Chronicle products and services
- Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities
Working Hours: Full-time position with a flexible schedule, including weekend and evening work as warranted
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Newspaper Publishing
Company Size: 501-1,000 employees
Founded: 1901 (as the Houston Post, merged with the Houston Chronicle in 1931)
Company Description:
- Recognized for Pulitzer Prize-winning journalism
- Serves its 2.3 million residents with content and marketing solutions across two large websites and various print and digital platforms
- Mission is to spark conversations that inspire action to create a better Houston
Company Specialties:
- Newspaper publishing
- Digital media
- Marketing solutions
Company Website: HoustonChronicle.com
ASSUMPTION: The Houston Chronicle is a well-established newspaper with a strong focus on local news and community engagement.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level
Reporting Structure: Reports to the Audience team
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 days in office per week)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to advance to a senior video producer role or other leadership positions within the Audience team
- Opportunities to work on special projects and gain exposure to different aspects of the business
- Chance to develop skills in video journalism, audience development, and digital analytics
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for growth and development within the Audience team and the broader organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative newsroom
Office Location(s): 4747 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77027, US
Geographic Context:
- Houston is the fourth most populous city in the United States
- Diverse and vibrant city with a strong focus on arts, culture, and entertainment
- Home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and a thriving job market
Work Schedule: Full-time position with a flexible schedule, including weekend and evening work as warranted
ASSUMPTION: The Houston Chronicle offers a dynamic and collaborative work environment with a strong focus on local news and community engagement.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-person or virtual interview with the Audience team
- Final interview with the Director of Audience
Key Assessment Areas:
- Video editing skills and portfolio
- Understanding of social media platforms and trends
- Creativity and storytelling abilities
- Adaptability and problem-solving skills
- Collaboration and communication skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your video editing skills and experience with social media platforms
- Include a link to your portfolio or a reel showcasing your best work
- Prepare examples of videos you've created that align with the Chronicle's mission and values
- Research the Chronicle's audience and content strategy to demonstrate your understanding of the role and the organization
ATS Keywords: Social Video Producer, Video Editing, Social Media, Visual Storytelling, Adobe Premiere, CapCut, Canva, Motion Graphics, Breaking News, Audience Engagement, Analytics, Collaboration
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is competitive, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their skills and experience through their portfolio and interview responses.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Premiere
- CapCut
- Canva
- Motion graphics software (e.g., After Effects, Motion)
- Social media management platforms (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer)
- Analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, social media analytics)
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have experience with video editing software and be willing to learn and utilize new tools as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Journalistic excellence
- Community engagement
- Innovation and adaptability
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and deadline-driven
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and open to feedback
- Data-driven and analytical
- Creative and innovative
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you stay up-to-date with social media trends and best practices?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to work quickly to meet a tight deadline?
- How do you approach collaboration and feedback in a team environment?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be able to demonstrate their alignment with the Chronicle's values and work style through their responses to these questions and their overall application materials.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Working under tight deadlines and breaking news situations
- Adapting to changes in the news cycle and audience preferences
- Collaborating effectively with various teams and stakeholders
- Staying up-to-date with new video editing tools and technologies
- Competing with other media outlets for audience engagement and reach
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to address these challenges through their problem-solving skills, adaptability, and creativity.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Social Media Video Producer or Digital Video Producer, but with a focus on local news and community engagement
- Unlike other roles, this position requires a strong understanding of local news and the ability to create videos that resonate with a diverse audience
- Career progression may include roles such as Senior Video Producer, Audience Manager, or other leadership positions within the Audience team
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should research similar roles and the Chronicle's audience and content strategy to better understand the unique requirements of this position.
📝 Sample Projects
- Creating a series of videos highlighting local events or community initiatives
- Developing a social media campaign to promote a special event or series
- Editing breaking news footage and creating engaging social media posts to accompany it
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with similar projects and how they align with the Chronicle's mission and values.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does the Audience team collaborate with other departments to create engaging content?
- What are the most successful social media campaigns the Chronicle has launched, and what made them effective?
- How does the Chronicle support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the Chronicle's Audience team, and how can this role help address them?
- How does the Chronicle measure the success of its social media videos, and how can this role contribute to improving those metrics?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate their interest in the role and the organization.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your video editing skills and experience with social media platforms
- Include a link to your portfolio or a reel showcasing your best work
- Prepare examples of videos you've created that align with the Chronicle's mission and values
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and reiterate your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
