Head of Shortform Video

Join our team at the Guardian and be a part of a diverse and inclusive global organisation that delivers fearless, investigative journalism, and holds power to account. Our team of award-winning journalists, cutting-edge commercial professionals, and industry-leading digital experts are committed to making a difference and represent a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. We offer a challenging and exciting environment for career development, with a focus on training, growth and fostering an inclusive culture.

As a head of shortform video, you'll shape and deliver a distinctive social video strategy that grows audiences, deepens engagement, strengthens the Guardian brand and expands the reach of our journalism across platforms including the Guardian, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and emerging channels.

You'll bring together video teams working in these areas, collaborating with editorial teams, audience editors, product teams and commercial stakeholders.

This is a permanent NUJ contract.

About the role

• Develop and own the Guardian's shortform video strategy, working with the head of video and other senior members of the department to define editorial priorities, formats and publishing frameworks across platforms.
• Establish a distinctive voice and visual identity for shortform video across the Guardian globally, in collaboration with colleagues in our US and Australia teams.
• Drive audience growth, engagement and reach across shortform video platforms, keeping ahead of platform trends, algorithm changes and emerging audience behaviours.
• Use audience insights and analytics to inform commissioning, optimisation and innovation.
• Lead and develop a team with the culture, tools and skillset to produce compelling, platform-appropriate shortform video, including news, investigations, features, sport, lifestyle and explainers.
• Foster a culture of experimentation, creativity and continuous improvement, setting clear objectives, workflows and performance standards.
• Work with the audience team to define and monitor KPIs for audience growth and engagement.
• Partner with Guardian teams globally to identify and develop opportunities for shortform video stories.
• Deliver regular reporting and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
• Evaluate emerging platforms and partnerships.

About you

• Significant experience leading video, social video or digital content teams within a newsroom, publisher or media organisation.
• Strong editorial judgment and understanding of journalistic standards, particularly with regard to visual storytelling.
• Deep expertise in YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and other social platforms.
• Proven track record of growing audiences through shortform video.
• Experience managing creative teams and complex editorial workflows.
• Strong understanding of audience analytics and performance metrics.
• Excellent storytelling, commissioning and story development skills.
• Experience developing talent-led content and/or appearing on camera.
• Experience managing budgets and resource planning.
• Actively demonstrate inclusive leadership by promoting equity, valuing diverse perspectives, and addressing barriers that affect your team.

Ideally, you'll have a demonstrable ability to bring a diverse perspective to this role.

We actively encourage applications from groups traditionally underrepresented in the UK media.

We currently operate a hybrid environment working at least three days a week from our offices in Kings Cross, central London.

We value and respect all differences (seen and unseen) in all people. We aspire to have inclusive working experiences and an environment that reflects the audience we serve, where our people have equal access to career development opportunities, their voices are heard and can contribute to our future. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

How to apply

To apply, please upload your latest CV and a cover letter which outlines why you'd love to take on this role, and why you're a great match for what we're looking for.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 15th July 2026.

All roles at the Guardian are open for everybody to apply. It is important to us that you feel supported and comfortable throughout your recruitment process, in order to perform your best. Please let us know if there are any changes we could make to help your application, this includes providing documents in accessible formats or personalising the process to better support your needs. Please contact Sean on sean.brinkley@theguardian.com to discuss further so we can work with you to support you through your application.

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Benefits at the Guardian

You'll have six weeks of annual leave per year (plus bank holidays) with the option to purchase an additional 5 days. Our pension scheme is generous; if you contribute 5% then we will contribute 8-12% (depending on your age). We believe in giving back, which is why employees are given 2 volunteering days annually and the option of payroll giving. Season ticket loans are also available.

You are entitled to life cover, income protection, and eye tests. You can also opt in to dental insurance.

We have enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave policies in place. We also support our employees by offering an IVF, menopause, baby loss, and trans equality policy.

Culture and wellbeing

We want everyone to feel like they belong at the Guardian and we champion diversity of thought. Our various employee forums provide a platform to use their voice to foster an inclusive workplace. We became the first major media organisation to achieve B Corp status.

We offer tools to help you prioritise your wellbeing including access to our employee benefits platform which provides tailored support for health and wellbeing. In addition, we also offer free yoga and pilates classes. These run alongside our corporate gym membership and cycle to work scheme.

Our canteen has views overlooking the Regents Canal and caters for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Learning and development

We encourage personal and professional growth. Employees have access to a broad range of tools and solutions, and we are happy to support the pursuit of professional qualifications through vocational courses and apprenticeships.