US Video Journalist

Reporting to: Head of Multimedia

About us

The Independent is an online news publisher that was established in 1986 as a national newspaper independent of party political affiliations or proprietorial influence. In 2016, The Independent became a fully digital publisher, moving away from print in pursuit of sustainability, and to safeguard its values and journalism for the future.

The Independent has always thrived through innovation and change. It was the first British newspaper to add a Saturday magazine; the first to give photography the same prestige as a news copy; the first to challenge the Westminster lobby system of closed briefings; the first broadsheet to move to the more compact ‘tabloid’ format; the first to launch a concise quality compact paper; and the first – and only – major newspaper to pull off a successful transformation to fully digital publishing.

Through The Independent, Independent TV, eCommerce, indy100, subscriptions and other ‘reader revenues’, The Independent plans to continue the work of many decades, bringing much-needed independent journalism to over 100 million unique global visitors a month, make its voice ever louder and more insistent the world over.

We have an international editorial team with our main offices in London and New York.

About you

1. A trained journalist with a video journalism portfolio
2. Have a proven track record as a journalist working in a similar role at a similar title
3. A good understanding on US and international news
4. A team player who works well with others and enjoys working in a dynamic fast-paced media environment
5. You are confident in communicating your ideas and pitches
6. You are a problem solver, able to deal with issues calmly and decisively and switch priorities as needed
7. You are a trustworthy personality that displays ethical behaviour at all times
8. You have a strong familiarity with The Independent and our coverage
9. Comfortable using digital analytics tools to create the possible best work
10. Able to think on your feet and use your initiative

Job purpose

As a Video Journalist for The Independent, you will produce and edit video content across platforms, write SEO-optimized headlines, and create social media stories. Working closely with bureaus in New York, Washington DC, and Los Angeles, you will cover live and breaking US news while reacting to traffic demands.

Reporting to the Head of Multimedia you will work collaboratively with a team to ensure that The Independent’s video content leads international coverage. Using analytics tools, you’ll assess audience engagement to inform content decisions. You will also pitch video ideas and articles, producing both short-form and long-form content to meet tight deadlines.

Key responsibilities and accountabilities

1. Sourcing and verifying videos with high-traffic potential
2. Delivering engaging, high-quality video content
3. Writing accurate and ethical news copy
4. Producing work that reflects The Independent's legal, copyright and ethical requirements
5. Working well with colleagues across the newsroom to optimise department performance
6. Working to tight deadlines set by the Head of Multimedia
7. Approaching issues with a problem-solving mentality and acting swiftly and vocally when problems arise

Skills

1. An innate understanding of what quality video content looks like across The Independent's platforms
2. A good understanding of media law and ethical journalism
3. High competency in video production
4. Able to write accurate and articulate news copy
5. Excellent organisational and planning skills
6. Ability to interpret data and make insightful recommendations
7. Good understanding of the importance of SEO and social media platforms

Location: You will be based in New York, NY

Hours: Your hours will be 40 hours per week working Monday to Friday.

Salary: The salary range is between $60,000-75,000.

The Independent is an equal opportunities employer, if you require any reasonable adjustments to complete your application, please do not hesitate to advise us accordingly.