Content Operations Manager

Your Role

Content sits at the center of CNN’s long‑term strategy as we redefine how we ideate, produce, deliver, and distribute impactful journalism across platforms. The Content Operations Manager is a critical execution leader responsible for driving progress across multiple high‑priority content initiatives. This role serves as connective tissue across editorial, product, growth, and commercial teams—ensuring complex, cross‑functional efforts are delivered with rigor, speed, and operational excellence.

• Guiding Principles
  • Enterprise scope:
    Any content developed by or for CNN—agnostic of functional reporting lines, but with a specific focus on projects and content that will be multiplatform and require significant cross‑functional execution.
  • Streaming‑led:
    Content for All Access subscribers, most notably streaming content, is the highest priority and requires new ways of working optimized for streaming while enabling all other endpoints (core digital, TV, social, You Tube, etc.) and preserving space for realizing additional ad‑supported revenue.
  • Mission aligned:
    Teams may coalesce around priority missions/projects aligned to the overarching strategy.
  • Deep partnership:
    All work happens in close collaboration with partners.
• Program & Initiative Management
  • Act as end‑to‑end operational lead for multiple, simultaneous, high‑priority content initiatives across platforms (streaming, digital, social, and TV) and a diverse group of stakeholders.
  • Develop and maintain detailed project plans, timelines, milestones, and deliverables across cross‑functional stakeholders.
  • Proactively manage dependencies, risks, and trade‑offs to ensure initiatives stay on track and aligned to strategic goals.
  • Drive clear decision‑making frameworks and escalation paths to resolve blockers quickly.
  • Ensure consistent communication and reporting on initiative status, outcomes, and KPIs.
• Operational Execution & Workflow Optimization
  • Translate strategic priorities (e.g., sponsorship/growth initiatives, product launches, tentpole events, etc.) into repeatable operational workflows.
  • Build and refine processes that enable efficient content production, delivery, and distribution across platforms.
  • Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, reduce friction, and improve speed.
  • Support implementation and adoption of new operating models and ways of working.
• Cross‑Functional Coordination
  • Act as a key liaison across Content, Growth, Product, Commercial, Marketing, and Operations teams to ensure alignment and coordinated execution.
  • Facilitate cross‑functional working sessions, stand‑ups, and reviews to maintain momentum and clarity.
  • Partner closely with Product and Technology teams to ensure content needs are reflected in tools, systems, and platform capabilities.
• Data, Reporting & Continuous Improvement
  • Track and analyze initiative performance against defined success metrics (including internal health metrics).
  • Support testing and experimentation frameworks by coordinating execution and capturing learnings.
  • Develop reporting artifacts to inform stakeholders and drive data‑informed decision‑making.
  • Apply insights to continuously refine workflows and improve outcomes.
• Change Management & Adoption
  • Help drive adoption of new tools, processes, and operating models across teams.
  • Partner with leadership to identify training needs and support onboarding efforts.
  • Reinforce a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.

• Required Qualifications
  • 6–8+ years of experience in program management, content operations, or cross‑functional project leadership, preferably in a media or digital organization.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple, complex initiatives simultaneously in a fast‑paced, matrixed environment.
  • Strong program/project management skills, including planning, prioritization, risk management, and stakeholder coordination.
  • Proven experience translating strategy into actionable plans and delivering measurable results.
  • Exceptional organizational and communication skills, with the ability to influence across teams without direct authority.
  • Experience working cross‑functionally with editorial,…