Commercial Strategy & Operations Manager, CNN

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...
CNN is looking for a Commercial Strategy and Operations Manager. This role is a proactive and results-oriented leader within CNN's commercial organization who plays a key role in driving new business as well as ensuring the long-term commercial health of the business. This is a dynamic role that requires working closely with leadership to manage a wide range of initiatives in a fast-moving organization, including the development and tracking of strategic growth initiatives, generative AI-related deals, and commercial partnerships.
This role will be pivotal in helping to develop, execute, and manage initiatives that support and propel CNN's growth. The ideal candidate can blend strategic thinking with executional excellence in managing multiple projects and also has the ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively across a complex organization with many different stakeholder groups.
This role is part of the CNN Worldwide Business Partnerships and Negotiations team, which handles a diverse set of business partnerships with third parties that deliver revenue and/or services to CNN and will report to the VP of Commercial Strategy and Operations.
Major areas of focus include:

• Strategic support and execution of commercial initiatives
• Development of new business deals
• Client and vendor management
• Project management and operations

Your Role Accountabilities

• Strategic Support and Execution
  
  • Support the VP of Commercial Strategy and Operations to help manage commercial operations across the portfolio, including goals-setting, KPI management, and the creation of operational documentation.
  • Work with finance partners to help develop, refine, and disseminate revenue dashboards that provide critical insights into the commercial health of the business.
  • Independently develop business cases, build business/financial models, and make strategic recommendations for potential initiatives or deals.
  • Prepare and present reports, proposals, and presentations for the VP of Commercial Strategy and Operations, to be shared within the Business Partnerships & Negotiations team, other senior leadership, and potential partners.
• Market Research & Analysis
  
  • Conduct market research to identify emerging trends, competitive dynamics, and new market opportunities.
  • Analyze industry data to inform strategic decision-making and identify potential partners.
  • Monitor the competitive landscape and provide regular updates to the senior management team.
• Deal Management & Execution
  
  • Work with the Business Partnerships and Negotiations team to support the negotiation and execution of deals across the spectrum, including drafting term sheets, agreements, and other documentation.
  • Coordinate with legal, finance, editorial, product, and other internal teams to ensure smooth deal execution.
  • Track and manage the deal pipeline, ensuring timely progress and reporting on key milestones.
  • Manage existing partnerships and collaborate with internal teams to optimize performance and develop new revenue streams.
  • Independently handle deals end to end with clients.
• Relationship Management
  
  • Build and maintain relationships with potential partners, clients, and industry stakeholders.
  • Represent CNN in meetings, conferences, and events to enhance the company's profile and network.
  • Collaborate with internal teams to ensure alignment and effective communication across departments.
• Project Management
  
  • Lead and manage business development projects from inception to completion, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality outcomes.
  • Develop project plans, set milestones, and track progress against objectives.
  • Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to achieve project goals.

Qualifications and Experience

• 4-5+ years of experience in a commercial strategy, operations, or project management role, ideally in the media industry.
• Proven track record of independently managing cross-functional projects with a strong ability to lead initiatives from start to finish.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Familiarity with AI or technology-driven initiatives and their impact on business, with the ability to bridge the gap between business and technical needs.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to speak to and influence different levels of the organization.
• Strong ethical judgment and cultural sensitivity, especially in understanding journalistic standards in developing and executing business deals and projects.

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 the diversity of our society and the world around us. 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: $67,900.00 - $126,100.00 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.