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CNN · 18 hours ago

Director, Programming (WKND)

Washington, DC

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

$138K/yr - $256K/yr

7+ years exp

CNN is a leading source of digital news, currently seeking a Director of Digital Programming to lead the editorial team responsible for optimizing content across various digital platforms. This role involves strong editorial leadership, audience strategy, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to enhance the digital content experience.

BroadcastingDigital MediaMedia and EntertainmentNews

H1B Sponsor Likely

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

Qualification

Digital journalismAudience programmingEditorial operationsAnalytical skillsCross-platform storytellingInnovationTeam managementCommunication skillsCollaboration

Required

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

Benefits

Health insurance coverage

An employee wellness program

Life and disability insurance

A retirement savings plan

Paid holidays and sick time

Vacation

Company

CNN

Glassdoor3.8

CNN is an online broadcasting platform that offers the latest business, financial, and personal finance news. It is a sub-organization of WarnerMedia.

Founded in 1980

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

1001-5000 employees

https://www.cnn.com

H1B Sponsorship

CNN has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)

Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship

Represents job field similar to this job

Trends of Total Sponsorships

2020 (3)