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<