Sports Lifestyle Social Media Editor (Contract)

Title: Sports Lifestyle Social Media Editor (Contract)

Employment Type: Full-time Contract

Location: New York, NY

First Look:

Are you a sports fanatic who’s locked into the culture, personalities, and off-field storylines that make sports more than just a game? Do you understand what truly works on social—what grabs attention, drives engagement, and keeps people watching? We’re looking for a sharp and creative Social Media Editor to join our sports brands, working closely with our Senior Social Media Editor and Social Media Strategists to develop and produce fun, original content that brings the internet’s favorite sports-adjacent stories to life.

This role is built for someone who has experience creating content that performs. You’ll ideate, edit, and shoot original short-form videos, create high-quality still content, and bring fresh ideas to the table daily. Candidates must have a strong grasp of what works on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts; solid Adobe Premiere Pro and Photoshop skills; and the ability to move fast when a story breaks. We're prioritizing applicants based in New York City or within commuting distance of our NYC office. On-camera presence is a key part of being a member of our social team — comfortability being on camera to capture and create original video in person is important to us.

If you’ve grown a social account, edited viral videos, or turned an athlete’s off-court moment into something the internet couldn’t ignore—we want to hear from you.

What You’ll Do:

• Create Social-First Video That Performs: Shoot, edit, and publish short-form videos that are built for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts. You know how to hook viewers fast, use platform-native formats, and make content people want to finish and share.
• Chase Culture, Not Just Scores: Go beyond the game to spotlight the moments, personalities, and narratives driving conversation—whether it’s a viral tunnel fit, a relationship rumor, or something spicy from a podcast clip. If it’s trending, we’re on it.
• Ideate and Pitch Daily: Bring fresh ideas to the table every day. You’ll be expected to help set the tone and pace of the feed, not just follow instructions.
• Design for the Feed: Use Photoshop to create clean, engaging visuals—memes, quote cards, carousels, etc.—that stop the scroll and match our tone.
• Be On Camera When It Makes Sense: Jump in for reaction videos, host quick takes, or intro segments when needed. Personality is a plus.
• Collaborate, But Own Your Work: You’ll work closely with our Senior Social Media Editor and Head of Video and Social, but we want someone who can take initiative and run with an idea.

What You’ll Bring:

• In-Depth Sports Fluency, Online and Off: You know the NFL, NBA, and MLB inside and out—from team dynamics and trade rumors to player storylines and media narratives. You follow everything from contract negotiations to athlete relationships, influencer crossovers, sneaker drops, and sports media feuds.
• Expertise in Social Video and Editing: You know what works on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts—and how to leverage trends, audio, and formatting to create content that performs. Proficiency in Adobe Premiere is a must.
• Strong Visual Design Skills: You’re confident using Photoshop to create clean, compelling stills that align with our brand voice and keep the Instagram feed sharp.
• A Sharp Eye for Trends: You’re tapped into both sports and internet culture. You know when something’s about to pop—and how to turn it into content.
• Creative Thinking and Quick Execution: You don’t wait for ideas—you pitch them. You move quickly, stay flexible, and know how to bring a concept to life without overthinking it. Sports move fast—so should you.
• Confidence On Camera: You don’t need to be a full-time host, but you’re confident jumping on screen when a concept calls for it.
• NYC-Based: You’re based in or near New York and available for in-office or in-person shoots when needed.
• A Proactive and Reliable Work Ethic: You take initiative, meet deadlines, and follow through. You’re someone who can manage your own workload and execute projects from start to finish without needing constant direction.

Please Note: Only candidates with prior social media experience or a portfolio showcasing social-first video edits will be considered. Be sure to include links to relevant work or portfolio; applications without examples will not be reviewed.

What You Need To Know:

• The Arena Group’s expected hourly pay range for this position is currently $28 - $35 USD. Actual pay may vary based on multiple factors including location, education, experience and other factors permitted by law.
• This position requires flexible working hours. While the primary schedule will be during regular business hours, availability for nights and weekends is essential to cover important events. A schedule will be provided in advance to balance peak event coverage with regular work hours.

Please note: due to the volume of applications we receive, only applicants selected for consideration will be contacted.

The Arena Group is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.