Director - Programme Planning, WBD Sports

Warner Bros. Discovery; London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Programming Director to lead a dynamic team in delivering engaging sports content. This role involves strategic oversight of programming schedules, ensuring consistency and maximizing audience engagement through data-driven decisions. Collaborating with various departments, the Programming Director will play a pivotal role in integrating content and enhancing the viewing experience. With a hybrid work model, this opportunity offers both flexibility and the chance to be part of a company that values creativity and innovation. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and have a passion for sports, this is the perfect role for you.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in programme planning within a live sports environment.
• Deep knowledge of sports competitions and data-driven decision making.

Responsibilities

• Prepare programming grids and manage a team of planners.
• Liaise with editorial for program transitions and content planning.
• Work with audience insights to make data-driven programming decisions.

Skills

Programme Planning

Data Analysis

Communication Skills

Collaboration

Tools

Mediagenix What's On

Job description

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...

The role of the Programming department is to oversee all content, content placement on the channel and the strategy for the future development of the channel's output. They also work closely with numerous areas of the business. Reporting into the Senior Programming Director, the Programming Director will drive the programming team with delivering content for WBD Sport and manage the contingency plans for the team, ensuring success.

Your Role Accountabilities...

• Prepare the programming grids in advance and manage a team of planners
• Responsible for all forward planning documents (yearly overview, calendars and mapping out all sporting events, defining programming tentpoles etc.)
• Assure the consistency of the programming grids (linearity, consistent appointment to view etc.)
• Liaise with editorial to agree on intro/outro, potential studio shows (timings, length) and transition between programs
• Decide and share contingency plans with the help of the Programming Planner
• Work with the audience & insights department to make data-driven programming decisions
• Integrate the Eurosport content within the TNT Sports UK Schedule with all the constraint including commercial ones
• Decide and coordinate the planning for all shared content (pan European deals), and streamline communication with the planning team in Paris and the acquisition team to ensure we maximise the rights portfolio in the UK
• Work with all Sports Pillars to adjust the slots and production to maximize the impact of the shared content on the UK schedule, especially Gold and Silver Events
• Oversee projects concerning workflows and systems (Morpheus, Valhalla, NWON/Chapca integration and others) from a programme planning perspective
• Manage the Digital planning for TNT Sports in the UK and work with digital scheduling team in Paris

Qualifications & Experience...

• Proven experience of programme planning in a live sports environment
• Deep knowledge of sport competitions in general
• Analytical mindset and extreme rigor / Interest for data
• Good communication skills to deal with a range of teams and stakeholders
• Collaborative attitude, as well as being a good team player
• Capable for reporting on your own progress to different members of the team and departments, e.g., presenting
• Knowledge of Mediagenix What's On software is desirable

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.