Director, Programming (OVN)

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.

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.

Must be willing to work overnights, evenings, weekends and/or holidays as this role supports a 24/7 business

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

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.