Director, Programming; WKND

We are CNN. The world's most essential and engaging source of digital news. We are 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 sits at the intersection of journalism, audience behavior, and product innovation.

The ideal candidate brings sharp editorial judgment, strong people leadership, and a data-driven mindset. 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.

• 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

• 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…