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CNN

Director, Programming (WKND)

CNN, Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30383

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Your New Role We are CNN. The world's most essential and engaging source of digital news. We are seeking a

Director of Digital Programming

to lead the editorial team responsible for curating and optimizing the content experience across our core digital surfaces — web, mobile web, and mobile apps — for a 24/7 global news organization. This role sits at the intersection of journalism, audience behavior, and product innovation. The ideal candidate brings sharp editorial judgment, strong people leadership, and a data-driven mindset. You ensure our digital front doors consistently reflect the urgency, depth, and breadth of our journalism — and that they serve the evolving needs of our audiences around the clock.

Your Role Accountabilities Editorial Leadership & News Judgment

Lead a team of editors curating and programming the organization’s home and front-door digital experiences (web, mobile web, and app) 24/7/365

Exercise strong editorial judgment in real-time, particularly during high-pressure breaking news

Ensure content selection aligns with core editorial values while meeting the needs of users (Catch me up, Take me deeper, Entertain me)

Frame stories with clarity and impact, including writing or approving high-quality headlines, teases, and promotional language

Make sophisticated editorial decisions around content hierarchy, timing, and rotation across multiple formats (text, video, visuals)

Audience Strategy & Data-Driven Decision-Making

Monitor real-time analytics to guide programming decisions and adjust content placement dynamically

Identify patterns in audience behavior across platforms and use insights to inform both daily and long-term programming strategy

Partner with the Audience, Data, and Research teams to deepen understanding of audience segments and consumption habits

Translate metrics and insights into actionable programming strategies without compromising journalistic independence

Platform & Format Expertise

Maintain deep understanding of digital content consumption across desktop, mobile, and apps

Guide programming strategy across formats — including live video, text, audio, and visuals — ensuring each is optimized for its platform

Spot key live opportunities and coordinate with digital video producers to bring time-sensitive content to audiences

Collaborate with Product and Design teams to iterate on the UX and presentation of core content formats

Team Management & Leadership

Manage and mentor a distributed editorial team, providing direction, feedback, and growth opportunities

Build a high-performance team culture rooted in editorial excellence, agility, and collaboration

Lead calmly and clearly in high-pressure environments, especially during breaking news and critical coverage moments

Provide clear prioritization and scheduling support to ensure seamless coverage across global time zones

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication

Represent programming priorities in editorial and cross-functional leadership meetings

Serve as the primary liaison between the programming team and executive stakeholders, ensuring alignment on goals and editorial positioning

Collaborate closely with peers in News, Product, Audience Development, and Design to deliver a cohesive, audience-first experience

Support testing and experimentation efforts on surfaces by providing editorial input and aligning tests with audience goals

Stay current on best practices and emerging trends in digital publishing, personalization, and platform presentation

Advocate for and test new tools, workflows, and storytelling techniques that enhance audience experience and editorial delivery

Work with Product and Engineering teams to test, iterate, and refine new homepage and surface features

Help shape long-term content and platform strategy by contributing insights from daily operations

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

Stay current on best practices and emerging trends in digital publishing, personalization, and platform presentation

Advocate for and test new tools, workflows, and storytelling techniques that enhance audience experience and editorial delivery

Work with Product and Engineering teams to test, iterate, and refine new homepage and surface features

Help shape long-term content and platform strategy by contributing insights from daily operations

Your Qualifications & Experience

7+ years of experience in digital journalism, audience programming, or editorial operations within a fast-paced news or media environment

Experience managing teams in a 24/7 publishing operation, ideally with global coordination

Demonstrated ability to balance real-time editorial instincts with long-term strategic thinking

Deep understanding of audience engagement, digital consumption behaviors, and cross-platform storytelling (text, video, audio)

Strong analytical skills — comfortable interpreting audience data and using it to drive decisions

Excellent communication skills and comfort working with executive stakeholders and cross-functional leaders

Experience working with product and design teams to enhance digital storytelling or homepage surfaces

Demonstrated commitment to journalistic standards and editorial independence

Compensation, Benefits & Inclusion Pay Range: $137,901.00 - $256,103.00 per year. Base pay is one component of Warner Bros. Discovery’s total compensation package. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. Warner Bros. Discovery provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays and sick time and vacation.

Championing Inclusion at WBD: Warner Bros. Discovery is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates are considered on the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.

If you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.

Job Details

Seniority level: Director

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing

Industries: Broadcast Media Production and Distribution

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