At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic editorial team to curate and optimise digital content for a global news audience.
- Company: Join Warner Bros. Discovery, a hub of creativity and innovation in media.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Work in a supportive environment that champions diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Shape the future of digital journalism and make an impact on a global scale.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in digital journalism and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
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.
Your New Role
We're seeking a Director of Digital Programming, Weekends to report into the VP of Programming and lead the editorial team responsible for curating and optimising the content experience across our core digital surfaces: web, mobile web, and mobile apps for a 24/7 global news organisation. This role is at the intersection of journalism, audience behaviour, 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. The Weekend Director will play a critical role helping to develop and lead execution of the weekend homepage strategy.
Please note: This role is based out of our London newsroom, working a 4-day, 40-hour week inclusive of Saturday and Sunday.
Your Role Accountabilities
- Lead a team of editors programming the organisation's home and front-door digital experiences (web, mobile web, and app).
- Guide programming strategy across formats including live video, text, audio, and visual ensuring each is optimised.
- Exercise strong editorial judgment in real-time, particularly during high-pressure breaking news and questions of content hierarchy, timing and rotation.
- 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, accuracy and impact, including writing or approving high-quality headlines, teases, and promotional language.
- Demonstrate ability to make sophisticated editorial decisions and seamlessly curate across live, text, visual and video formats.
- Monitor real-time analytics to inform programming decisions and adjust content placement dynamically, partnering with the Audience, Data, and Research teams to deepen understanding of audience segments and consumption habits.
- Manage and mentor a distributed editorial team, providing direction, feedback, and growth opportunities.
Qualifications & Experience
- Extensive 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 behaviours, and cross-platform storytelling (text, video, audio).
- Experience working with product and design teams to enhance digital storytelling or homepage surfaces.
Hybrid Working - This role is advertised as a Hybrid work model, that combines remote and in-office work, following our current company policy and to be agreed with your Line Manager. Subject to any applicable laws, WBD / your Line Manager reserves the right to change this working agreement where this is essential to business needs and upon reasonable notice to you.
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, regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, disability 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.
Director, Homepage Programming in Birmingham employer: Warner Bros. Discovery
At Warner Bros. Discovery, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions creativity and innovation in the heart of London. Our collaborative work culture fosters personal and professional growth, offering employees unique opportunities to thrive in a dynamic environment while enjoying thoughtfully curated benefits. Join us to be part of a global digital revolution where your contributions are celebrated and your career can flourish.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Homepage Programming in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, especially those at Warner Bros. Discovery. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you've got a portfolio or examples of your work, bring them along to interviews. It’s a great way to demonstrate your editorial judgement and strategic thinking in action.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on trends! Keep an eye on what's happening in digital journalism and audience engagement. Being able to discuss current events and innovations will show you're passionate and informed.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the WBD family!
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Homepage Programming in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for digital journalism and storytelling shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you’re genuinely excited about the role and what we do at WBD.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in digital programming and editorial operations. We love seeing how your background aligns with our needs, so don’t be shy about showcasing your skills and achievements that relate directly to the role.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, especially when it comes to your editorial judgment and strategic thinking. Use bullet points if it helps make your experience easier to digest!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Warner Bros. Discovery
✨Know Your Audience
Before the interview, dive deep into Warner Bros. Discovery's content and audience engagement strategies. Understand their core values and how they reflect in their digital programming. This will help you tailor your responses to show that you’re aligned with their mission and can contribute effectively.
✨Showcase Your Editorial Judgement
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you had to make quick editorial decisions under pressure. Highlight how you balanced real-time instincts with strategic thinking, especially in a fast-paced news environment. This will demonstrate your capability to thrive in their 24/7 publishing operation.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience managing and mentoring editorial teams. Share specific instances where you provided direction and growth opportunities for your team members. This will showcase your leadership style and how you can foster a collaborative environment at WBD.
✨Engage with Data-Driven Decisions
Familiarise yourself with analytics tools and how they inform content programming. Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to enhance audience engagement and adjust content strategies in real-time. This will highlight your ability to integrate audience insights into your editorial decisions.
