Senior Manager, Podcasts
About The Position
CNN is seeking a Senior Manager of Podcasts to oversee a strategic portfolio of shows within the global CNN podcast slate. Reporting to the Senior Director of Podcasts, this role is responsible for the editorial strength, production quality and cross-platform growth of a specific subset of programming. As a key leader within the department, you will manage a dedicated team of producers to execute high-impact journalism for both listeners and viewers. You will understand how to build a loyal audience across major audio platforms like Apple and Spotify, as well as video-centric destinations like YouTube and CNN's owned properties. This role requires a collaborative leader who can manage a diverse production slate while aligning with the broader strategic goals set by the Senior Director.
Requirements
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in journalism, digital media or broadcasting, with at least 5 years in a management role overseeing podcast, audio or digital video production.
- Proven track record in managing a portfolio of successful content, with specific experience in video producing and video-specific distribution strategy.
- Exceptional editorial judgment and the ability to mentor teams in translating complex news into compelling, narrative-driven experiences for both eyes and ears.
- Sophisticated writing, scripting and story-editing skills, with a deep understanding of pacing and narrative structure across visual and audio formats.
- Extensive knowledge of video, lighting and audio production.
- Strong people management skills with experience leading hybrid teams through complex, end-to-end production workflows.
- Familiarity with professional production tools such as Adobe Premiere and Descript along with an understanding of podcast RSS management and video optimization.
- Ability to execute on a high-level vision provided by the Senior Director while managing the day-to-day tactical needs of multiple production teams.
Nice To Haves
- Constantly iterating on show formats to find new ways for CNN's journalism to reach audiences on emerging platforms.
- Taking full ownership of your portfolio’s performance and fostering a culture of editorial excellence within your team.
- Balancing the needs of long-term series production with the urgency of the daily news cycle.
- Flexibility to work nights, weekends and holidays as deadlines warrant.
- Working seamlessly with other Senior Managers and the Senior Director to ensure a cohesive and unified podcast slate.
Responsibilities
- Lead and mentor a cross-functional team of senior producers, producers, associate producers and editors.
- Provide consistent feedback on scripts, visual treatments, and final audio and video mixes.
- Contribute to the long-term strategic direction of the podcast department, reporting to the Senior Director.
- Work closely with CNN anchors, correspondents and external talent.
- Provide editorial direction for both on-camera video podcasting and traditional audio recording.
- Ensure all content is optimized for both video-first and audio-first distribution.
- Coordinate the production of long-form shows alongside short-form social content for maximum discovery.
- Oversee the development and lifecycle of shows within your portfolio, from the pilot phase and launch to the iterative improvement of established flagship series.
- In collaboration with the Senior Director and analytics teams, use platform-specific data to refine content strategy and increase audience retention and reach.
- Manage individual show budgets, production schedules and workflows to ensure high-quality output is delivered on time within a 24/7 news cycle.
Benefits
- health insurance coverage
- an employee wellness program
- life and disability insurance
- a retirement savings plan
- paid holidays and sick time and vacation
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
