We’re hiring a fast, data-driven thumbnail strategist who pairs outlier research + YouTube psychology with strong design instincts/experience to create scroll-stopping thumbnails and measurable CTR wins. We run 50+ YouTube channels in various business/tech/finance niches. We’re looking for someone who is looking for a full-time, long term role with lots of room for growth within the company!

What You'll Own

• Lead thumbnail strategy for uploads on the YouTube channels we own, as well as our agency clients.

• Running market research/finding outliers across YouTube (and other social media platforms) to find visual/audial formats and curiosity gaps that win in a niche.

• Produce many rapid concepts (sketches/moodboards) and collaborate/coordinate with thumbnail designers and project managers to deliver final designs in Canva + layered PSD/PNG.

• Ship 3-5 thumbnail concept options per video, name and organize assets, and coordinate pivots/experimentation when analytics demand it.

• Track and report CTR, impressions, and short-term view impact. Brainstorm and propose data-driven pivots and iterate quickly.

• Build and maintain a thumbnail playbook (visual library, color rules, tested formats) and share learnings with the team.

Responsibilities
• Concepting: 3 - 5 quick thumbnail concepts per assigned video during pre-production; the top 3 are shortlisted for production.
• Research: Use channel analytics, competitor scans, and “outlier” examples to identify winning hooks and visual motifs.
• Testing: A/B test ideas where possible, monitor CTR and swap in backups if performance is weak.
• Collaboration: Work with thumbnail designers to ensure footage, composition, and branding align with chosen concepts. Delivered to project managers.
• Documentation: Keep a living SOP/playbook and share weekly insights on what’s working.

Requirements
• You must be looking for long term work and a culture fit with our company

• Proven experience creating high-performing YouTube thumbnails or doing strategy on them (portfolio required).

• Comfortable with Canva and at least basic Photoshop (or equivalent tools)

• Strong visual/UX sense and practical knowledge of composition, contrast, and color for small-screen thumbnails.

• Familiarity with YouTube analytics (CTR, impressions, average view duration) and how thumbnails impact early metrics.

• Solid written and spoken English (remote collaboration will require occasional zoom calls).

• Fast, iterative mindset, you can move from concept → test → swap in 24–72 hours when needed.

• Understanding of psychological hooks (curiosity gap, fear of missing out, novelty, social proof) and how to manifest them visually.

Nice-to-have
• Experience designing for creators or agencies in the creator economy.

• Experience running deliberate A/B thumbnail tests or using tools that surface outlier performance.

• A library of tested templates, moodboards, or a thumbnail playbook you can share.

• A love for organization and creating systems and processes

Results

• 3 - 5 concept sketches (simple thumbnails or moodboards) during pre-production.

• A short rationale (1–2 lines) for each final option explaining the curiosity gap/hook.

• Weekly report: thumbnails created, CTR vs baseline, and recommended swaps or learnings.

How we Measure Success
• Measurable CTR improvement vs channel baseline within 72 hours (or documented rationale if not).

• Speed: deliver concepts and finals on the timeline agreed for each video (pre-production → final).

• Clean handoffs: well-named, layered files and version history.

• Actionable insights recorded in the thumbnail playbook.

Location
Remote, Contractor role.

Compensation
Compensation will be competitive and increase with experience.

Benefits
• Flexible time off and company holidays
• Health insurance options including medical, dental, and vision
• Monthly wellness allowance
• Mentorship and coaching from experienced creators
• Opportunity to impact millions of learners and entrepreneurs

Ready to Apply
Fill out the application form to apply. Attach your portfolio or examples of past work so we can see your editing skills.

Please include:

1. Short intro video + talking about your relevant experience (1–2 minutes minimum).

2. Portfolio link with 3–5 YouTube thumbnail examples and metrics (please present this on your video).

3. Any other data you can share i.e. fastest turnaround you’ve delivered for a thumbnail set