Video Content Writer

You’ve probably heard of Autotrader, but do you know what we’re all about?  

We’re the UK’s leading automotive marketplace, a heritage brand, and a tech darling of the stock market. We bring together vehicle buyers and sellers to give them real choices. Cars may be what we're best known for but we’re also the place for pretty much everything else on wheels, from e-bikes to caravans. 

In the automotive world, change is a constant, that’s why we take our job of untangling the complex car-buying journey very seriously. 
 
At our core, we’re all about people. We go our own way while embracing diversity and celebrating our differences. We dedicate ourselves to the idea that we work better together. 

Autotrader is a beautiful, surprising and vibrant place to work. We might not be for everyone, but we could be perfect for you. 

Our Consumer Content & YouTube team is looking for a Video Content Writer to help shape the next generation of Autotrader’s consumer content. This team plays a vital role in creating factual, entertaining content that helps people understand cars, car ownership and the wider automotive world, and in translating that storytelling across YouTube and our website.

As a Video Content Writer, you’ll play a key role in shaping Autotrader’s voice across video platforms, crafting compelling scripts for TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, mid-form social and onsite content and long-form YouTube videos.

You’ll own the storytelling process from concept to final script: leading ideation sessions, translating creative ideas into clear narrative outlines and producing polished scripts that guide on-camera talent, editors and production teams. Your writing will support high-volume original content output across Autotrader’s online and social video channels and integrate seamlessly with wider consumer-facing campaigns.
You'll originate and develop ideas, research topics in depth, and turn complex or “boring” subjects into clear, engaging scripts. You'll collaborate with editorial and subject-matter experts to fact-check content, shape narratives, and ensure everything we publish is accurate, on-brand, and easy to understand. Additionally, you'll adapt ideas and narratives for different formats and channels, primarily YouTube and onsite video. You'll work across multiple internal and external teams to keep content production running smoothly, with clear communication and a focus on quality and pace
You'll support end-to-end video production, ensuring all teams involved are briefed and aligned, and produce clear treatments, outlines, and scripts to maintain consistency. Sitting alongside producers and videographers, you’ll help plan shoots and edits, think visually about how stories are told on screen, and work closely through the edit to bring each script to life. You’ll also help coordinate interviews and external contributors for your own research purposes, and ensure each video has a clear structure that holds audience attention from start to finish.
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who wants to get hands-on experience shaping video storytelling at scale, working across YouTube and our site, and helping define a new standard for rich, explainer-style automotive content.

Due to the subject and channel, you might believe that a passion for cars is a requirement, but guess what? It’s not! At Autotrader, you’re welcome just as you are.

• You’ll have proven experience writing scripts for video-first content for YouTube and/or social platforms, with a strong grasp of how to hook and retain audiences across short-form, mid-to-long-form formats.
• You will be a great communicator, have strong attention to detail, and can collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders such as producers, videographers, editors, and subject-matter experts.
• You will be audience-focused and care about delivering a great experience for viewers, with a good understanding of balancing clear education, entertainment, and brand needs.
• Proven understanding of YouTube and social media formats, including platform best practices, audience behaviours, retention drivers and how to structure scripts that perform across different channels. 
• You will have a proactive approach and be delivery-focused. You will be able to plan your own work in a high-volume content pipeline, manage research and interviews, and prioritise to meet deadlines and changing priorities.

During our application process, you will be asked two questions to help us learn more about you and how you align with our values. These will be used as part of our selection criteria, to determine if we progress your application further.

Benefits

We’re offering a salary of £32,000 – £45,000, plus an additional 10% of your salary awarded to you in shares each year. These awarded shares will become yours in yearly instalments over the next three years, and you can choose to either sell them or keep them as shares. 

You'll have 28 days holiday per year, and that's in addition to bank holidays and half day closures on Christmas and New Year's Eve.

That’s not all. You'll be enrolled in our pension scheme, where our standard contributions are 7% and employee contributions are 5%. We also have comprehensive private medical cover, enhanced family leave provisions, a car salary sacrifice scheme, share-save options, and much more. 

We always want to give you the support you need and help prioritise your wellbeing, that’s why we provide access to 24/7 online GP and dentist, as well as specialist support for assisted fertility, gender dysphoria, menopause, period care plans and lots more.  

On top of all that, our hybrid model, Connected Working, combines the best of both worlds – office and home working. You'll spend a minimum of 3 days a week in the office with your team, focused on collaboration and connection.

 Additionally, we have our remote-first periods at set times during summer and winter. During these periods, you can work remotely anywhere in the UK and from certain locations abroad.