Director, Programming (PM)

Warner Bros. Discovery•New York, NY

About The Position

We are CNN. The world's most essential and engaging source of digital news. We are in the midst of rapid transformation and need our next generation of innovators, makers, and dreamers who will lead and drive our growth. We aim to make the world a better, more connected place. We’re 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 is at the intersection of journalism, audience behavior, and product innovation. The ideal candidate brings sharp editorial judgment, strong people leadership, and a strategic mindset grounded in data. 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.

Requirements

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

Responsibilities

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)
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
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
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
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