OverviewThe
Technical Program Manager (TPM), Events & Visuals is responsible for driving execution, delivery, and operational readiness for high-stakes, event-driven digital experiences across CNN Digital. This role sits squarely within
PTD (Product, Technology, Design) and serves as the program lead for the
Events & Visuals squad, which includes the Breaking News & Events team, and the Interactives team.
This TPM will also
run the elections program within PTD, ensuring that all PTD-owned products, platforms, and experiences are ready, scalable, and coordinated for primaries, debates, and election nights. The role is execution-focused and does
not carry responsibility for editorial alignment (unless its for PTD), marketing, communications, or other non-PTD functions.
Scope of Responsibility1. Events & Visuals Program Leadership (PTD)
- Act as the primary TPM partner for the Events & Visuals squad, spanning:
- Breaking News & Events product surfaces
- Interactives and visual storytelling tools (e.g., Magic Wall)
- Newsletter product initiatives (as they come online)
- Own planning, sequencing, and delivery of event-driven product work across web, apps, CTV, and any supporting platforms
- Ensure consistency, reliability, and reusability of visual and event-based product capabilities
- Ensure operational readiness for Events to support PTD lead work.
2.
IMMEDIATATE ASK and NEED:
Elections Program Lead (within PTD)- Serve as the single point of coordination within PTD for elections-related execution
- Own operational readiness for all PTD-owned election experiences, including:
- Web and app surfaces
- Live Story and Live Commentary
- Interactive and data-driven experiences (Digital Magic Wall)
- Video and visual integrations where they touch PTD products
- Plan and execute against key milestones (primaries, debates, election nights)
- Drive dependency mapping, risk tracking, and mitigation across PTD teams
3. Cross-Team PTD Coordination
- Coordinate across product, engineering, design, and platform teams to:
- Align on scope, timelines, and technical constraints
- Surface risks and trade-offs early
- Ensure launch readiness and post-launch stability
- Partner closely with platform teams (e.g., Stellar, video player, streaming, subscriptions)
4. Operational Excellence & Readiness
- Establish and run clear operating rhythms (weekly check-ins, readiness reviews, launch runbooks)
- Ensure systems are scalable, resilient, and prepared for traffic spikes and high-visibility moments
- Track execution health, delivery confidence, and known risks leading into major events
Explicitly Out of ScopeThis role
does not:
- Own or set editorial priorities, coverage plans, or content strategy
- Manage or coordinate marketing, PR, sales, or communications efforts
- Act as a general manager or decision-maker for company-wide prioritization
- Serve as an accountability layer for non-PTD teams
The TPM is responsible for
execution and readiness within PTD, not for enforcing commitments outside of it.
What Success Looks Like- PTD election experiences launch on time, are stable, and perform under peak load
- Event-driven product experiences are coordinated, predictable, and well-understood across PTD teams
- Dependencies and risks are surfaced early and resolved without last-minute escalation
- Product and engineering teams are able to focus on building, not firefighting
Reporting & Alignment- Reports into the PTD organization through Engagement Mission
- Partners closely with product, engineering, and design leadership within the Events & Visuals product squad
- Interfaces with editorial, video, and other functions through defined PTD touchpoints, without owning their execution.
This is a newly created position.
