Social Video Director / Producer / Creative
This assignment posting is for an Agency Worker opportunity with People Inc. The Agency Worker is paid by a staffing agency employer. Agency Workers will receive a W2 from the staffing agency reporting their earnings for tax purposes.
Social Video Director / Producer / Creative
The Video team at People Inc. is seeking a contract Social Video Director / Producer / Creative to lead the development and execution of breakthrough social-first video content across Instagram and TikTok. This role sits at the intersection of creative strategy and hands-on production, responsible for conceiving, directing, shooting, producing, and delivering high-performing content that builds culturally relevant franchises for brands including People, Travel + Leisure, Food & Wine, and InStyle. This is a highly visible role for a platform-native storyteller. Full-time ongoing freelance with the potential for extension through the end of the year.
Assignment Details:
35 hours per week/Hybrid (3 days in office; more if shoots are scheduled)
Start Date: 3/30/2026
End Date: 6/30/2026 (possibility of extension)
Hourly Rate: $50-60
Location: NYC People Inc. Office
What You’ll Do:
- Own social-first series strategy and execution across Meta platforms and TikTok, developing marquee series that deliver hit videos and audience engagement.
- Serve as a subject matter expert across Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and TikTok, with deep knowledge of platform features, algorithms, and best practices to maximize reach and engagement.
- Concept and launch recurring formats and original series, executing from development through post-production.
- Direct and produce shoots ranging from reactive social content to premium, filmic or TV-inspired formats.
- Personally shoot vertical and multi-camera social content, operating camera and basic lighting and audio setups for lean productions.
- Oversee edits with a strong instinct for pacing, hooks, retention, and shareability.
- Manage the full production lifecycle including pre-production, logistics, crew coordination, on-set direction, and post-production.
- Partner with editorial and social teams to capture brand voice in unique IP that is then optimized for every platform.
- Track trends, creators, and cultural moments to keep content competitive and current.
What You Bring:
- 5+ years of experience in social-first video production, directing, and editing for self, publishers or brands.
- A portfolio of short-form work demonstrating strong pacing, storytelling, and viral performance.
- Proven track record of developing social formats or franchises that drive audience growth and engagement. Examples of high-performing videos required.
- Strong hands-on shooting skills with experience operating DSLR/mirrorless cinema cameras.
- Expertise across Meta platforms and TikTok, including algorithm mechanics, retention strategies, and platform-native storytelling.
- Fluency across social formats, from vertical short-form to premium, filmic, and TV-inspired shows.
- Deep topic knowledge of celebrity culture, travel, and/or beauty and style and how they are consumed and engaged with on social platforms.
- Strong production management skills with experience overseeing logistics, budgets, timelines, and crews.
- Ability to execute end-to-end, from ideation through final delivery.
Who You Are:
- Deeply platform-native with strong instincts for what will resonate.
- Both a creative strategist and hands-on maker.
- Obsessed with hooks, retention, and audience behavior.
- Comfortable moving quickly without sacrificing quality.
- Collaborative, decisive, and solutions-oriented.
People Inc. is America’s largest digital and print publisher. Our 40+ iconic and fast-growing brands harness the best intent-driven content, the fastest sites, and the fewest ads to help nearly 200 million people every month, including 95 percent of US women, make decisions, take action, and find inspiration. People Inc. brands include PEOPLE, Better Homes & Gardens, Verywell, FOOD & WINE, The Spruce, Allrecipes, Byrdie, REAL SIMPLE, Investopedia, Southern Living and more.
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