Freelance Developer Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Join the future of news
We're on a mission to deliver riveting storytelling for all of America. At The Washington Post, you'll help reinvent news. Our work is driven by a deep investigative spirit and enhanced by innovation to bring audiences closer to the stories that matter most.
About Our Team
The Washington Post is powered by the passion and talent of our people. It takes all of us to reinvent news. Beyond our award-winning Newsroom and Opinions teams, we work across many departments, including Brand & Events, Communications, Customer Care, Engineering & Product, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Marketing & Advertising, Print Operations, and Sales.
Why This Role Matters
The Washington Post Creator team seeks a creative senior editor to shape overall social strategy for Washington Post Creator, leading social video editing for our creator host and expanding our presence across multiple channels with our creator partners. This role blends hands-on video editing, audience development and platform strategy to connect creator storytelling to new audiences.
Washington Post Creator is expanding how fact-based storytelling connects with audiences across social and emerging digital platforms, creating new opportunities for engagement, community growth, and brand relevance. This role leads the social video editing and audience strategy efforts for Washington Post Creator, ensuring content is optimized for platform-native storytelling while expanding reach and engagement across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, Threads, Facebook, and future platforms.
The position plays a critical role in translating editorial storytelling into compelling social experiences that grow audience loyalty, strengthen creator partnerships, and elevate The Washington Post's presence in the creator economy. Through a combination of creative execution, audience data insight, and strategic experimentation, this role helps shape how The Post reaches new and evolving audiences in a rapidly changing media landscape.
What Motivates You

• You are energized by building audience connection and growth through innovative and platform-native storytelling.
• You thrive in fast-moving, collaborative environments where experimentation and iteration are encouraged.
• You enjoy balancing creative execution with strategic thinking and using performance insights to continuously improve.
• You are passionate about social video trends, the creator economy, and evolving audience consumption habits.
• You are motivated by opportunities to influence content strategy, shape platform growth, and contribute to the evolution of digital journalism.
• You value collaboration and enjoy partnering across editorial, analytics, marketing, events, sales and creator teams to deliver measurable outcomes.

How You'll Support the Mission

• Lead the social video editing and packaging strategy for Washington Post Creator content to expand audience engagement and strengthen platform performance across social channels.
• Develop and execute a multi-platform social media strategy that establishes content priorities, publishing approaches, experimentation frameworks, and audience growth objectives to increase reach and engagement.
• Drive audience development initiatives using analytics, platform insights, and performance data to optimize storytelling approaches and improve measurable content outcomes.
• Partner with Creator Host, independent creators, marketing stakeholders, and analytics partners to amplify Creator content and engagement across social media and Washington Post platforms.
• Champion creative experimentation with emerging formats, tools, and social platform capabilities to improve storytelling innovation and maintain competitive relevance.
• Guide freelance editors and producers on visual storytelling standards, production quality, and platform optimization practices to ensure consistency and editorial excellence.
• Maintain high editorial and ethical standards across social content publishing to reinforce audience trust, accuracy, and brand credibility. Influence cross-functional decision-making related to audience engagement, creator strategy, and social content performance to support organizational growth objectives.
• Translate complex audience performance insights into actionable recommendations that improve content strategy, publishing effectiveness, and audience growth.

The Skills and Experience You Bring

• 5+ years of experience producing, editing, and optimizing social-first video content across major digital and social platforms.
• 2+ years of experience developing or contributing to audience growth and social media strategy initiatives.
• Demonstrated expertise in vertical video editing workflows and professional editing tools such as Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, or equivalent platforms.
• Deep knowledge of Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, Threads, Facebook, and other social platforms.
• Experience leveraging analytics and audience insight tools, including Chartbeat, Google Analytics, native platform analytics, Social Flow or similar technologies, to guide strategy and performance optimization.
• Strong editorial judgment with the ability to balance speed, creativity, accuracy, and brand integrity in a fast-paced news environment.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to shifting business needs, and operate effectively in rapidly evolving digital environments.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with experience influencing cross-functional stakeholders and creative partners.
• Experience working with creators, on-camera talent, freelancers, or collaborative production environments preferred.
• Prior experience supporting high-frequency publishing operations for a major media, editorial, or consumer-facing brand preferred.
• Experience mentoring freelancers or contributing to creative leadership initiatives preferred. Portfolio or work samples demonstrating audience-focused social storytelling and measurable platform growth outcomes required.

Collaboration makes us stronger. That's why our offices are designed with open layouts, modern technology, and easy access to transportation. With certain exceptions for newsgathering and business travel, we work on-site five days a week.
Compensation and Benefits
Wherever you are in your life or career, The Washington Post offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits for every step of your journey:

• Competitive medical, dental and vision coverage
• Company-paid pension and 401(k) match
• Three weeks of vacation and up to three weeks of paid sick leave
• Nine paid holidays and two personal days
• 20 weeks paid parental leave for any new parent
• Robust mental health resources
• Backup care and caregiver concierge services
• Gender affirming services
• Pet insurance
• Free Post digital subscription
• Leadership and career development programs

Benefits may vary based on the job, full-time or part-time schedule, location, and collectively bargained status.
The salary range for this position is:
$109,200 - $182,000 Annual
The actual salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience, and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements. This position may be eligible for a bonus or incentive program, and a member of the Talent Acquisition team will discuss bonus payment terms and conditions during the interview process.
Your story awaits. Apply today!
Learn more about The Post at careers.washingtonpost.com.