Staff Product Designer, New Business

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Staff Product Designer, New Business

Company: Warner Bros. Discovery

Location: New York, NY, United States; Atlanta, GA, United States; Washington, DC, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: Product Design / UX/UI

Date Posted: September 15, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the design vision and end-to-end execution for innovative, standalone products within CNN's New Business initiatives, focusing on strategic complexity and user-centered experiences.

• Drive the creation of distinctive non-news experiences that enrich users' lives and contribute to the growth of CNN's subscription business.

• Act as a key design leader in a rapidly transforming environment, comfortable navigating ambiguity and influencing product strategy across diverse platforms and channels.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including editorial, product, engineering, research, and growth to synthesize business objectives into best-in-class product solutions.

• Champion thoughtful innovation by understanding platform boundaries and business needs while pushing conventional limits to reimagine user possibilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within CNN's "New Business" team, indicating a focus on experimental and growth-oriented product development outside of core news offerings. The "Staff" title suggests a senior individual contributor role with significant autonomy and influence on design direction and strategy. The hybrid work arrangement implies a need for strong remote collaboration skills alongside in-office contributions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design vision and end-to-end execution of original experiences for emerging products in highly ambiguous areas.

• Craft a range of design artifacts autonomously, including information architecture maps, sketches, and high-fidelity visual prototypes, to drive strategic decisions with partners.

• Contribute to workshops and thought exercises that shape design direction and influence product strategy for new business initiatives.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional experts in editorial, product, engineering, research, and growth, synthesizing multiple threads and business goals into a best-in-class product experience.

• Champion thoughtful innovation by understanding the boundaries of mobile platforms and the business, while knowing when to challenge convention, drive disruption, and reimagine user possibilities.

• Assess and flex design deliverables to match specific project needs, ensuring a tailored approach to each initiative.

• Exemplify a customer-focused mentality throughout the entire product development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership, hands-on design execution, and strong collaborative skills. The emphasis on "autonomous" work and "navigating ambiguity" points to a need for self-direction and problem-solving in nascent product areas.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or equivalent professional experience.

Experience: 8+ years of experience as a cross-platform product designer, with at least 4 years specifically working on native mobile experiences. Experience in media companies is a plus.

Required Skills:

• Mastery of Figma and prototyping tools.

• Impeccable visual and interaction design skills.

• Expertise in creating and modifying components within a mature design system kit.

• Experience building and maintaining design systems or component libraries.

• Mastery of best UX design practices, including usability principles, user research methodologies, and testing techniques.

• Solid understanding of mobile and web technologies.

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Experience with program management tools such as Confluence and Jira.

• Ability to work autonomously and navigate through ambiguity.

• Strong customer-focused mentality. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in media companies.

• Deep expertise in designing user-centered experiences across a variety of platforms and channels.

• Experience leading design for high-impact, strategically complex initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for mastery in Figma and design systems, coupled with extensive experience in native mobile and cross-platform design, indicates a need for a highly proficient and experienced designer capable of contributing to sophisticated product development. The mention of "media companies" as a plus suggests familiarity with content-driven digital products would be advantageous.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end design process for at least two complex, native mobile applications developed from concept to launch.

• Demonstrate experience in leading design strategy and execution for ambiguous product initiatives, highlighting how you navigated uncertainty.

• Include detailed case studies that illustrate your proficiency with Figma, component-based design systems, and advanced prototyping.

• Present clear examples of how you synthesized user needs, business goals, and technical constraints into elegant design solutions.

• Highlight contributions to workshops, thought exercises, or strategic planning sessions that influenced product direction. Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of information architecture maps, user flows, wireframes, and high-fidelity prototypes.

• Detail your approach to user research, usability testing, and how you incorporated findings into iterative design improvements.

• Illustrate your experience in building or significantly contributing to design systems and component libraries.

• Showcase how you've collaborated with engineering, product management, and editorial teams, providing evidence of cross-functional synergy.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is critical for this role, especially given the emphasis on leading design in ambiguous areas. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their design process, strategic thinking, and ability to deliver tangible results through their work samples. The focus on "end-to-end execution" and "driving strategic decisions" means the portfolio should not just showcase aesthetics but also problem-solving and impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $116,480.00 - $216,320.00 per year.

Benefits:

• Health insurance coverage

• Employee wellness program

• Life insurance

• Disability insurance

• Retirement savings plan

• Paid holidays

• Sick time

• Vacation

Working Hours: Approximately 40 hours per week, with potential for flexibility given the hybrid work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is competitive for a Staff-level Product Designer in major US markets like New York, Atlanta, and Washington D.C., reflecting the significant experience and leadership required for this role. The benefits package is comprehensive, offering standard but valuable support for employees' well-being and financial security. The "hybrid" arrangement suggests a need for effective time management and collaboration across different work settings.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Media & Entertainment / Digital News. Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is a global leader in creating and distributing premium content across all forms of storytelling and platforms. CNN, as part of WBD, is a leading digital news organization.

Company Size: Large enterprise (over 10,000 employees globally). This scale offers access to extensive resources, diverse projects, and a wide network of professionals, but may also involve navigating larger organizational structures.

Founded: Warner Bros. Discovery was formed in 2022 through the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery, Inc. CNN itself has a long-standing history in news broadcasting and digital media. This context implies a company undergoing significant integration and transformation, with a strong emphasis on innovation and future growth.

Team Structure:

• The "New Business" team within CNN likely operates with a degree of autonomy, focusing on experimental product development.

• The Staff Product Designer will be a senior individual contributor, reporting to a design lead or product leadership within the New Business unit.

• Collaboration will be intense and frequent with cross-functional teams including editorial, product management, engineering, research, and growth specialists. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is likely a core tenet, especially in a subscription-focused digital business.

• Agile or hybrid agile methodologies are probable for rapid iteration and development in a fast-paced media environment.

• Emphasis on user-centered design principles, continuous user feedback, and iterative improvement.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: WBD's culture is described as one where "dreamers" create what's next, supported by a diverse workforce. The guiding principles, available on their website, are crucial for understanding the company's operational ethos. For this role, expect a dynamic environment focused on innovation within the established framework of a major media conglomerate.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Staff Product Designer. This signifies a senior individual contributor role, expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy, provide design leadership for complex projects, mentor junior designers (potentially), and significantly influence product strategy. It's a crucial role for driving innovation in new product areas.

Reporting Structure: The Staff Product Designer will likely report into a Design Lead, Director of Product Design, or potentially a Head of Product within the CNN New Business unit. They will work closely with Product Managers and Engineering Leads.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on CNN's future revenue streams and market positioning by conceptualizing and designing new, standalone digital products. Success in this role can lead to significant business growth beyond traditional news offerings, driving subscription numbers and user engagement.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like subscription product design, emerging technologies, or complex platform ecosystems.

• Leadership: Transition into a Lead Product Designer or Design Manager role, overseeing teams and strategic initiatives.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Move into Product Management or Strategy roles within WBD, leveraging design expertise to drive business outcomes.

• Industry Influence: Contribute to the evolving landscape of digital media product design, potentially speaking at conferences or publishing thought leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Staff" designation implies a career path that emphasizes deep expertise and significant project leadership rather than immediate people management. Growth opportunities are likely tied to successfully launching and iterating on new products, demonstrating strategic impact, and potentially mentoring others.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. This role requires a combination of in-office presence for collaboration and on-site work, and remote work flexibility.

Office Location(s): The primary listed location is New York, NY (30 Hudson Yards), with other potential hubs in Atlanta, GA, and Washington, DC. This suggests opportunities to collaborate with teams across these major cities.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be dynamic and fast-paced, aligning with the nature of innovation and transformation within CNN.

• Access to modern design tools and technology is expected, with Figma and prototyping tools being central.

• Opportunities for in-person brainstorming sessions, design reviews, and cross-functional syncs will be available on office days.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 per week) are expected, but the hybrid model may offer some flexibility in managing work hours, aligning with project deadlines and team needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model at a major media company like WBD/CNN suggests a structured approach to in-office collaboration, likely involving designated days for team meetings and strategic sessions. Candidates should be comfortable with both independent remote work and collaborative in-office experiences.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Recruiter to assess basic qualifications, cultural fit, and salary expectations.

• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: A presentation of your portfolio showcasing end-to-end product design for complex, ambiguous initiatives. This may include a take-home design challenge or a live design exercise focusing on problem-solving and strategic thinking.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Discussions with Product Managers, Engineers, Researchers, and Editorial stakeholders to assess collaboration skills, technical understanding, and strategic alignment.

• Hiring Manager/Leadership Interview: Deeper dive into design philosophy, leadership potential, and how you contribute to team culture and product vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by case study, clearly defining the problem, your role, the process, your contributions, the solution, and the impact/outcomes.

• Ambiguity Navigation: Explicitly detail how you approached and resolved ambiguity in your projects, showcasing your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

• Figma & Design Systems: Highlight your proficiency with Figma and how you've leveraged or built design systems and component libraries for efficiency and consistency.

• Collaboration: Demonstrate how you partnered with cross-functional teams, showing evidence of effective communication and integration of diverse perspectives.

• Impact: Quantify results where possible (e.g., increased engagement, conversion rates, user satisfaction improvements) or articulate the qualitative impact of your design decisions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Problem Framing: Understand the core problem thoroughly before jumping to solutions. Ask clarifying questions.

• Process Articulation: Be prepared to walk through your design process step-by-step, explaining the rationale behind each decision.

• Strategic Thinking: Connect your design solutions back to business objectives and user needs, demonstrating a holistic understanding.

• Communication: Clearly articulate your ideas, assumptions, and trade-offs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily weigh your ability to demonstrate strategic thinking, handle ambiguity, and collaborate effectively. Your portfolio is your primary tool; ensure it tells a compelling story about your problem-solving capabilities and design leadership.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Mastery required for UI design, prototyping, and collaboration. Expect to create and manage complex design files and components.

• Prototyping Tools: Proficiency beyond Figma's built-in capabilities may be expected for advanced interactive prototypes.

• Design Systems: Experience in building, maintaining, or heavily utilizing mature design systems and component libraries is essential.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a primary design tool, understanding how to interpret data from analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Amplitude) and how your designs impact key metrics will be crucial.

• Familiarity with A/B testing methodologies and how design influences test outcomes. CRM & Automation:

• Jira & Confluence: Experience in using these tools for project management, documentation, and collaboration with engineering and product teams is a requirement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Figma mastery and experience with design systems is critical. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their workflows and best practices within these tools. Familiarity with project management tools like Jira and Confluence indicates a need for strong organizational and collaborative skills within an agile development environment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Focused Mentality: A core value driving all design decisions, ensuring user needs and satisfaction are paramount.

• Thoughtful Innovation: Encouraging creativity and pushing boundaries while maintaining a strategic and business-aligned approach.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across diverse teams (editorial, product, engineering, research, growth) to achieve shared goals.

• Drive Disruption: Willingness to challenge conventional approaches and reimagine possibilities for user experiences.

• Excellence: Commitment to high-quality design execution and delivering best-in-class product experiences.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative, requiring seamless integration with product managers, engineers, researchers, and editorial teams.

• Open to feedback and iterative design processes, participating actively in workshops and design reviews.

• Emphasis on clear communication, shared understanding, and collective ownership of product success.

📝 Enhancement Note: Warner Bros. Discovery emphasizes guiding principles that likely translate into a culture of innovation, collaboration, and a strong focus on delivering high-quality, impactful content and experiences. For this role, expect a blend of creative freedom and disciplined execution within a structured, large-organization framework.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Designing for "new business" initiatives with undefined market positions and user needs requires significant strategic thinking and adaptability.

• Balancing Innovation with Business Goals: Creating groundbreaking experiences while ensuring they align with CNN's subscription business objectives and brand identity.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Effectively synthesizing diverse perspectives and priorities from editorial, product, engineering, and growth teams into a cohesive design vision.

• Platform Evolution: Staying ahead of rapidly changing mobile and web technologies to deliver cutting-edge user experiences.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Product Development: Gain deep experience in conceptualizing and launching entirely new digital products from the ground up.

• Cross-Industry Exposure: Work within the dynamic media and entertainment sector, understanding content strategy and subscription models.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Opportunity to influence design direction and potentially mentor junior designers as the team grows.

• Continuous Skill Enhancement: Access to WBD's resources for professional development, keeping skills sharp in UX/UI, prototyping, and design strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge is the inherent uncertainty of new ventures. The growth opportunities stem directly from tackling these challenges, offering significant potential for career advancement and skill development in high-impact areas of product design.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led the design vision for a product in a highly ambiguous area. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your approach to uncertainty, research, and strategic decision-making.)

• "How do you balance user needs with business goals and technical constraints when designing for a new product initiative?" (Prepare examples of trade-offs and how you achieved alignment.)

• "Walk us through a complex native mobile design project from your portfolio. What were the key challenges, and how did you leverage Figma and your design system to solve them?" (Be ready to present your portfolio case studies in detail.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about CNN's New Business initiatives and the opportunity to design standalone products?" (Research WBD's strategy and CNN's digital transformation.)

• "How do you approach collaboration with editorial, product, engineering, and growth teams?" (Highlight your cross-functional communication and partnership skills.)

• "How do you ensure your designs champion innovation while respecting brand and business objectives?" (Connect your design philosophy to WBD's guiding principles.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame each case study as a narrative with a clear beginning (problem), middle (process and solution), and end (impact).

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your prototypes and mockups are clean, professional, and effectively communicate your design intent.

• Process Emphasis: Clearly articulate why you made certain design decisions, linking them to user research, business goals, or strategic objectives.

• Tool Proficiency: Be prepared to discuss your specific use of Figma, design systems, and prototyping techniques.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating your ability to lead, innovate, and collaborate. Be ready to discuss your design philosophy, your experience with ambiguity, and how you translate strategy into user-centered product experiences.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Staff Product Designer position:

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

• Tailor your resume: Highlight your 8+ years of cross-platform and native mobile design experience, emphasizing your mastery of Figma, design systems, and experience with ambiguous product initiatives. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Curate your portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest case studies that best showcase end-to-end design leadership, handling ambiguity, and sophisticated use of Figma and design systems for complex projects.

• Prepare your portfolio presentation: Practice walking through your case studies, clearly articulating your role, process, strategic thinking, and impact. Be ready to discuss challenges and how you overcame them.

• Research WBD & CNN: Understand the company's mission, guiding principles, and the strategic importance of CNN's New Business initiatives. This will inform your interview responses and demonstrate your genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.