Job Title: Video Production Lead
Location: Manchester, UK
Company: Manchester’s Finest Group
Salary: £37k–£40k (depending on experience)
Job Type: Full-time
Company Overview
Manchester’s Finest is a leading lifestyle media and events platform, known for curated recommendations across food, drink, culture and experiences in the city.
We create high-quality editorial, social and video content that captures the best of Manchester, from new openings and cultural moments to original formats and long-form storytelling.
As we continue to grow, particularly with expansion into membership and new cities, we are looking for a Video Production Lead to take ownership of and elevate our video output across all platforms.
Role Overview
The Video Production Lead is responsible for raising, protecting and leading the visual standard of Manchester’s Finest.
This is a senior creative and operational role that combines:
• Hands-on videography and editing
• Production leadership on flagship content
• Mentorship of the wider content team
• Ownership of video quality, systems and output
You will ensure everything we produce – from short-form social content to flagship series like mEats and documentary-style features – is consistent, elevated and aligned with the Finest brand.
This role is key to shaping how Manchester’s Finest looks, feels and grows as a premium content platform.
Key Responsibilities
1. Video Production & Storytelling (Hands-On)
• Plan, shoot and edit high-quality video content across social media, YouTube and other platforms
• Capture high-quality still photography alongside video where required, ensuring strong assets for editorial, app and commercial use
• Take a strong producer-led approach to storytelling – shaping narratives on the ground and in the edit
• Conduct pre-production planning where appropriate, ensuring we capture the strongest possible content
• Be adaptable and able to deliver compelling content even in fast-paced or reactive environments
• Create content that feels engaging, structured and true to the story – never misleading or surface-level
2. Lead Flagship Editorial Productions
Take ownership of our highest-value and most ambitious video formats, including:
• mEats + Suggested By You + Any new concepts developed
• Documentary-style features
• Narrative-led venue content
• Series-led and cultural formats
You will:
• Lead pre-production planning and creative direction
• Develop shot lists, structure and visual approach
• Ensure high standards of audio, lighting and framing
• Shape pacing and storytelling in collaboration with editorial
• Elevate the ambition and polish of these pieces
These projects should feel considered, premium and distinct from everyday social output.
3. Raise Production Standards Across the Team
• Embed a camera-first shooting culture across the team
• Improve lighting, framing, audio and shot discipline
• Reduce reliance on reactive phone-first capture where avoidable
• Ensure every shoot produces future-proofed assets for: Social, Website, App directory, Paid ads, Long-form content
The goal is to build a strong, usable content archive – not one-off assets.
4. Mentor & Upskill the Content Team
• Train UGC and social-first creators to confidently use professional cameras
• Improve understanding of framing, movement, shot selection and storytelling
• Support the development of editing skills and pacing
• Raise the overall production capability and confidence of the team
5. Protect & Elevate Brand Quality
Act as a creative quality guardian across all video output:
• Oversee music choices, pacing and overall edit feel
• Ensure consistency in tone, style and presentation
• Remove filler, weak shots or inconsistent elements
• Ensure subtitles, graphics and final outputs meet brand standards
Act as a final quality filter before publishing where required.
6. Social & Platform Understanding
• Understand how content performs across Instagram, TikTok and YouTube
• Identify strong hooks and opening moments that drive engagement
• Balance performance-driven thinking with editorial integrity
• Work closely with social and editorial teams to optimise output
7. Production Systems & Workflow
• Identify and implement improvements across: Shoot planning, File organisation, Asset management, Edit workflows
• Introduce clear shoot standards and checklists
• Reduce the need for reshoots through better planning and capture
• Improve long-term archive usability for future content
8. Archive, Data & Asset Management
• Take ownership of the organisation and management of all video and photography assets
• Oversee storage systems, including hard drives, servers and edit machines (e.g. tower), ensuring everything is structured, backed up and easily accessible
• Implement improved systems for file naming, folder structure and long-term storage
• Ensure footage and assets are archived in a way that supports future use (round-ups, ads, app, long-form)
• Work towards a more efficient, scalable storage and retrieval system as content output grows
9. Equipment & Technical Management
• Oversee all video and audio equipment
• Ensure kit is properly maintained, organised and used correctly
• Recommend upgrades or additional equipment where needed
• Set standards for camera, lighting and audio setups across the team
10. Collaboration Across Teams
• Work closely with editorial to shape stories and narratives
• Collaborate with social team on format and performance
• Support commercial team with high-quality branded content (while maintaining standards)
• Align video output with wider business goals (app, membership, events, partnerships)
11. Audience Growth & Performance Awareness
• Monitor video performance and identify opportunities to improve
• Use insights to refine formats, pacing and storytelling
• Stay up-to-date with platform changes and video trends
• Help ensure Manchester’s Finest remains competitive and culturally relevant
Qualifications & Skills
• Proven experience in professional videography and video editing
• Strong portfolio demonstrating both social and narrative-led content
• High-level proficiency with mirrorless or cine cameras
• Strong understanding of lighting, audio and production techniques
• Advanced experience with Adobe Premiere Pro (After Effects / motion graphics a bonus)
• Strong producer mindset – able to think on your feet and shape stories in real time
• Excellent pre-production planning and organisational skills
• Deep understanding of social platforms and video performance
• Strong leadership, communication and mentoring ability
• Passion for storytelling, culture and Manchester’s creative scene
What Success Looks Like
• A clear improvement in overall production quality and consistency
• A more capable, camera-confident content team• Stronger flagship video formats with a recognisable identity
• Better archive quality for future content use
• A more premium, cohesive Manchester’s Finest brand
Company Benefits
• Extra day off on your birthday
• Extended paid Christmas holiday
• Exclusive staff discounts at Manchester venues
• Invites to VIP events
• Flexible working environment
• Annual training and development allowance
Final Note
This is a leadership position that will shape how Manchester’s Finest looks, feels and grows over the coming years.
Please send cover letters and any other additional info to careers@manchestersfinest.com
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