Director, Programming (WKND)

This job is with Warner Bros. Discovery, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery… the stuff dreams are made of.

Who We Are…

When we say, “the stuff dreams are made of,” we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD’s vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what’s next…

From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.

We are the now and the next. The power behind the people building the future. We are born from the spirit of innovation. We are created from the idea that people around the world want more, need more, deserve more. We are the home of the global digital revolution. We are CNN.

To see what it’s like to work at CNN, follow @WBDLife on

Instagram

and

X !

Your New Role...

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.

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

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

How We Get Things Done…

This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at

www.wbd.com / guiding-principles /

along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

Championing Inclusion at WBD

Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates 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, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.

If you’re a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and / or recruitment process, please visit our

accessibility page

for instructions to submit your request.

In compliance with local law, we are disclosing the compensation, or a range thereof, for roles in locations where legally required. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, skill set, experience, and / or performance. Base pay is just one component of Warner Bros. Discovery’s total compensation package for employees. Pay Range : $137,901.00 - $256,103.00 salary per year. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. In addition, 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.

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