Staff Product Designer, Editorial Platforms

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Staff Product Designer, Editorial Platforms

Company: Warner Bros. Discovery

Location: New York, NY; Atlanta, GA; Washington, DC (Hybrid)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Design / UX / Editorial Platforms

Date Posted: June 1, 2026

Experience Level: 8+ Years Professional Experience (with 2+ years in content/media management systems, enterprise, and/or productivity tooling)

🚀 Role Summary

• Design and conceptualize industry-leading editorial experiences for news content creation, impacting millions of global audiences.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including Product, Engineering, Research, Editorial, Analytics, and other Designers to build efficient workflows and intuitive storytelling tools.

• Drive innovation and efficiency within CNN's publishing platform by leveraging AI capabilities and a robust design system.

• Conduct user research and usability testing to inform design decisions and ensure alignment with editorial user needs.

• Contribute to the evolution of CNN's digital content creation capabilities, shaping the future of news production.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Product Designer," the emphasis on "Editorial Platforms," "content management systems," and "productivity tooling" strongly suggests a focus on internal tools and user experience for content creators, aligning it with operational efficiency and GTM enablement through better content production. The role requires a blend of user-centered design principles and a deep understanding of content workflows.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive information architecture diagrams, experience journeys, user flows, wireframes, and detailed design mockups to effectively communicate product features and user interactions.

• Create interactive and "vibe-coded" prototypes to test and validate design concepts with stakeholders and end-users.

• Conduct regular user research sessions specifically with editorial users to gather insights into their workflows, pain points, and needs.

• Perform thorough usability tests on new and existing features, analyzing results to derive actionable recommendations for product improvements.

• Actively contribute to and maintain the design system, including tokens and components, ensuring scalability, consistency, and a delightful user experience across editorial platforms.

• Champion established design principles, the design system, and the product roadmap, ensuring that editorial team needs are met and prioritized.

• Play a pivotal role in shaping the future of CNN's publishing platform through collaborative brainstorming, envisioning, and validation of new features and functionalities.

• Integrate AI capabilities into the design workflow to expedite idea testing, enhance conceptual clarity, and accelerate the communication of design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong focus on process optimization for content creation, user research for internal tools, and design system management, which are core to operational excellence in a media and publishing context.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 8 years of experience as a Product Designer.

Required Skills:

• Mastery of Figma (version 124.4+) including proficiency with variables, components, styles, and shared libraries.

• Proven experience with AI prototyping using tools such as Figma Make, Cursor, Claude Code, or similar platforms.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively incorporate AI into the design workflow to improve efficiency in testing ideas and clarity in communicating solutions.

• Proficiency in utilizing, creating, and modifying design system components to build scalable and user-friendly experiences.

• Excellent and proactive verbal and visual communication skills, with a strong ability to develop insightful and engaging presentations.

• Ability to effectively facilitate alignment and share work across multiple levels of the organization.

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex design challenges, both independently and through collaboration with multiple internal and external stakeholders.

• Experience supporting a distributed team and thriving in a fast-paced, dynamic, and nimble work environment.

• Outstanding attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and excellent interpersonal abilities.

• A strong work ethic, integrity, and a collaborative approach, with a willingness to take initiative and ensure tasks are completed.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with CSS, HTML, and/or JavaScript.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma mastery, AI prototyping, and design systems points to a need for a designer who can not only create user-friendly interfaces but also contribute to the efficiency and scalability of internal tools through robust design practices and modern technology adoption.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase case studies demonstrating the end-to-end product design process, from discovery and research to iteration and final implementation.

• Highlight projects involving content management systems, enterprise tools, or productivity applications, emphasizing problem-solving within complex workflows.

• Include examples of user research methodologies employed, usability testing results, and how insights directly informed design decisions.

• Present clear examples of design system contributions, including how components and tokens were created, utilized, and maintained for consistency and scalability.

Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate the design process followed for key projects, detailing the steps taken to understand user needs, ideate solutions, and iterate based on feedback.

• Provide evidence of workflow optimization through design, showcasing how your solutions improved efficiency, reduced errors, or enhanced productivity for users.

• Illustrate experience in collaborating with engineering and product teams to ensure successful implementation of design solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is crucial for this role, particularly one that demonstrates a deep understanding of internal tools, content workflows, and the ability to leverage design systems and AI to drive operational efficiency. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their process and articulate the impact of their design decisions.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $119,000.00 - $221,000.00 per year (Note: This range is provided as per local law disclosure and may vary based on external market data, internal equity, location, skill set, experience, and/or performance.)

Benefits:

• Health Insurance Coverage

• Employee Wellness Program

• Life Insurance

• Disability Insurance

• Retirement Savings Plan

• Paid Holidays

• Sick Time

• Vacation

• Annual Bonuses

• Short-term Incentives

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week. The role operates within a hybrid work arrangement, suggesting a need for flexibility and self-management to balance on-site and remote work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Staff-level Product Designer role in major US cities. The comprehensive benefits package, including performance-based incentives, indicates a commitment to employee well-being and professional recognition.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Media & Entertainment, Technology, News Broadcasting

Company Size: Large Enterprise (Warner Bros. Discovery is a global media and entertainment conglomerate with tens of thousands of employees worldwide).

Founded: April 2022 (Merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery, Inc.)

Team Structure:

• The role sits within the Newsroom Platforms and Tooling team, focused on empowering CNN's editorial and content creation capabilities.

• This team is likely composed of Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, Designers, and Analysts, working collaboratively to enhance journalistic tools.

Methodology:

• Emphasis on user-centered design principles, with regular user research and usability testing to inform product development.

• Strong focus on building and maintaining a robust design system for consistency and efficiency across platforms.

• Integration of AI capabilities to drive innovation and improve workflow efficiency.

• Agile development methodologies are likely employed, fostering a fast-paced, iterative approach to product development.

• Data-driven decision-making, utilizing analytics to measure impact and guide future improvements.

Company Website: https://www.wbd.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Warner Bros. Discovery's culture values storytelling, innovation, and a collaborative spirit. For this role, the emphasis on empowering journalists and creators through technology aligns with a mission-driven approach to product development. The company's scale offers opportunities for significant impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Staff Product Designer. This level signifies a senior individual contributor with significant autonomy, expertise, and influence. They are expected to lead complex projects, mentor junior designers, and contribute strategically to the product roadmap.

Reporting Structure:

• The Staff Product Designer will likely report to a Design Lead, Director of Product Design, or Head of Product for Editorial Platforms.

Operations Impact:

• This role has a direct impact on the operational efficiency and creative output of CNN's editorial teams. By designing better tools, the designer enables faster, more effective news creation, which is critical for a 24/7 news organization.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in AI-assisted design, design systems at scale, and complex enterprise/content management systems.

• Leadership: Opportunities to mentor junior designers, lead design initiatives, and influence product strategy. Potential to move into Principal Designer or Design Management roles.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain deeper understanding of newsroom operations, content strategy, and the technological infrastructure supporting global media production.

• Industry Impact: Contribute to tools used by a world-renowned news organization, influencing how news is produced and consumed globally.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Staff" title indicates a senior-level role with significant growth potential. The focus on editorial platforms means career progression could lead to leadership in media technology design, enterprise UX, or specialized areas like AI in creative workflows.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid Work Arrangement. This indicates a blend of in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility. The primary locations (New York, Atlanta, Washington DC) suggest access to major hubs with significant editorial and technological presence.

Office Location(s):

• New York, NY (30 Hudson Yards)

• Atlanta, GA

• Washington, DC

These locations offer access to major media markets and WBD's key operational centers.

Workspace Context:

• The environment is described as "fast-paced, dynamic and nimble," typical of a large media organization adapting to rapid changes in technology and news cycles.

• Collaboration is key, with expectations of working closely with diverse teams, suggesting an open and communicative workspace, whether in-office or virtual.

• Access to modern design tools, including advanced Figma features and AI prototyping capabilities, is implied.

Work Schedule:

• A standard full-time schedule (approx. 40 hours/week) is expected. The hybrid nature allows for some flexibility in managing personal schedules, but requires strong self-discipline and availability for team collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model suggests a modern work environment that balances collaboration with individual focus. Candidates should be comfortable working across different locations and adapting to the demands of a high-stakes news production environment.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess experience, skill alignment, and quality of work.

• Portfolio Presentation & Discussion: Candidates will likely present a curated selection of their work, focusing on relevant case studies related to enterprise tools, content systems, or complex workflows. Expect in-depth questions about your design process, decision-making, and problem-solving approach.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Engineers, and potentially Editorial stakeholders to assess collaboration skills, communication style, and understanding of business/user needs.

• Design Challenge (Potential): A practical exercise to evaluate design thinking, problem-solving abilities, and proficiency with Figma and AI prototyping under timed conditions.

• Final Round: Interviews with senior leadership to discuss strategic thinking, leadership potential, and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 strong case studies that best showcase your experience with editorial platforms, content management systems, productivity tools, design systems, and AI integration.

• Tell a Story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the process you followed, the solutions you designed, and the impact (quantifiable if possible) of your work.

• Highlight Process & Rationale: Go beyond showcasing final UIs. Explain why you made certain design decisions, how you incorporated user feedback, and how you leveraged Figma features and AI tools.

• Showcase Design System Work: Include examples of your contributions to or utilization of design systems, demonstrating your understanding of scalability and consistency.

• Prepare for Figma & AI Questions: Be ready to discuss your advanced Figma techniques and your experience integrating AI into your design workflow.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Context: If given a challenge, quickly grasp the core problem related to editorial workflows or content creation.

• Focus on Process: Demonstrate your thought process, even if you can't fully complete the design. Prioritize user needs and business goals.

• Utilize Key Tools: Be prepared to use Figma and potentially conceptualize AI integrations.

• Communicate Clearly: Articulate your approach, assumptions, and proposed solutions effectively.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio demonstrating experience with complex systems and AI, combined with the "Staff" level, suggests a rigorous interview process focused on strategic impact and advanced design execution.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for wireframing, prototyping, UI design, and collaboration. Mastery of advanced features like variables, components, styles, and shared libraries is critical.

• AI Prototyping Tools: Experience with tools such as Figma Make, Cursor, Claude Code, or similar is required for incorporating AI into the design workflow.

• Design System Tools: Proficiency in creating, maintaining, and utilizing design system components and tokens.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• No specific CRM or automation tools are listed for this design role, but understanding how editorial platforms integrate with broader content management or publishing workflows would be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma and AI prototyping tools highlights the modern technology stack expected for this role. A candidate's ability to leverage these tools effectively will be a key differentiator.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Storytelling: A deep appreciation for narrative and the power of content, driving the creation of tools that enable compelling storytelling.

• Innovation: A commitment to exploring new technologies, like AI, to push the boundaries of content creation and news delivery.

• Collaboration: A strong belief in teamwork, working cross-functionally to achieve shared goals and deliver impactful products.

• User-Centricity: A dedication to understanding and serving the needs of editorial users, ensuring tools are intuitive, efficient, and empowering.

• Excellence: A drive for high-quality work, attention to detail, and continuous improvement in both product design and personal development.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, working closely with Product, Engineering, Research, and Editorial teams.

• Open communication and a willingness to share work-in-progress and receive constructive feedback are essential.

• Emphasis on facilitating alignment across diverse stakeholders through clear communication and compelling presentations.

• Proactive engagement with editorial users to foster a partnership in product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's "Guiding Principles" likely inform these values. Candidates should research these principles and be prepared to discuss how their approach aligns with them, particularly regarding collaboration and innovation in a media context.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs with Technical Constraints: Designing for complex enterprise systems often involves navigating intricate technical limitations and legacy systems while ensuring a positive user experience for journalists and editors.

• Driving Adoption of New Technologies: Introducing AI capabilities into established editorial workflows requires careful change management, user education, and demonstrating clear value to gain user trust and adoption.

• Scalability Across Global Platforms: Ensuring design consistency and effectiveness across CNN's diverse editorial platforms and potentially other WBD properties requires robust design system governance.

• Fast-Paced News Environment: Adapting design processes and timelines to the rapid demands of a 24/7 news cycle while maintaining high-quality output.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Tool Proficiency: Deepen expertise in Figma's cutting-edge features and explore emerging AI design tools.

• Media Technology Specialization: Become an expert in the unique UX challenges and opportunities within news production and content management systems.

• Leadership and Mentorship: Develop skills in leading design initiatives, mentoring junior team members, and influencing product strategy at a senior level.

• Industry Exposure: Gain insights into the broader media and entertainment technology landscape within a major global conglomerate.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for senior roles in complex, fast-moving industries. They also represent opportunities for significant professional growth and skill development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex editorial workflow you've designed for and how your solution improved efficiency or user satisfaction. What were the key challenges?" (Focus on process, user research, and impact.)

• "How would you integrate AI into the design process for a new feature on CNN's publishing platform? Walk us through your approach using Figma and potential AI tools." (Demonstrate AI prototyping and workflow integration.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Warner Bros. Discovery and specifically the Newsroom Platforms and Tooling team at CNN?" (Research WBD, CNN's mission, and the role's impact.)

• "How do you collaborate with engineers, product managers, and editorial stakeholders to ensure successful product outcomes?" (Provide examples of cross-functional teamwork and communication.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with an executive summary of your role and project goals. Then, detail the problem, your process, key design decisions (with rationale), user research/testing insights, and the final outcome/impact.

• Highlight AI & Figma: Explicitly call out where and how you used Figma's advanced features and AI tools. Be prepared to demo aspects of your prototypes.

• Focus on Impact: Quantify results wherever possible (e.g., "reduced content creation time by X%", "increased user satisfaction scores by Y points").

• Engage the Audience: Make it a conversation. Be ready to answer detailed questions about your work and thought process.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss specific examples that demonstrate your mastery of Figma, your experience with AI in design, and your ability to drive operational efficiency through user-centered design for complex internal tools.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Staff Product Designer position:

• Submit your application through the Warner Bros. Discovery careers portal via the provided URL.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your portfolio to prominently feature case studies related to content management systems, enterprise productivity tools, design systems, and AI prototyping. Ensure clear articulation of your design process and its impact.

• Resume Optimization: Highlight keywords from the job description, such as "Figma," "AI Prototyping," "Design Systems," "Editorial Platforms," "User Research," and "Enterprise Tooling." Quantify achievements and responsibilities where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice presenting your portfolio, focusing on explaining your design rationale, user research findings, and the impact of your work. Prepare to discuss your experience with Figma and AI tools in detail.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Warner Bros. Discovery's mission, values, and CNN's role in news. Understand their commitment to innovation and empowering storytellers.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.