Awards Manager

This is a Full Time Job

The Awards Manager oversees CNN Worldwide's awards program from strategy through execution, managing approximately 150 annual submissions across high-profile journalism, documentary, digital and industry competitions. This role partners across CNN Worldwide (including News-gathering, U.S. Programming on TV and Streaming, CNN International, CNN Digital Products & Services, CNN Originals and CNN PR) to develop competitive submissions, manage award campaigns and represent CNN with major awards organizations.

Your Role Accountabilities…
• Lead CNN's annual awards strategy and execution across approximately 150 competitions, managing the process from eligibility review and submission through nominations, ceremonies and post-awards communications.
• Partner with editorial leadership to develop submission strategies, recommend competitive categories and identify the strongest entries across CNN Worldwide programming.
• Develop expertise in awards rules, eligibility requirements and category strategy to ensure submissions are competitive, accurate and compliant, serving as a trusted resource on awards strategy across CNN Worldwide.
• Manage all aspects of the submission process, including entry forms, editorial materials, video clips, photography, supporting documentation and required assets while meeting firm external deadlines.
• Partner with editorial, production and communications teams to identify competitive submissions and gather supporting materials.
• Exercise strong judgment in evaluating eligibility, interpreting competition rules and making recommendations on submission and crediting decisions in consultation with editorial, production, communications and legal partners.
• Complete accurate submissions in accordance with eligibility requirements and manage all supporting materials, including video clips, photography, production credits, and required documentation while meeting firm external deadlines.
• Gather, organize and produce nomination and submission materials, including editing clip packages and coordinating supporting assets.
• Serve as CNN's primary liaison with awards organizations, maintaining strong relationships and resolving eligibility, credit and submission questions.
• Manage and maintain the awards budget tracker across all projects, ensuring accurate and up-to-date visibility into project costs, commitments and overall budget status.
• Lead ceremony logistics, including nominee communications, executive attendance, publicist coordination, credentials and red-carpet planning.
• Partner with Communications, Marketing and Production teams to support awards events, including talent participation, promotional materials and industry outreach.
• Create and maintain awards calendars, submission trackers, voter databases and historical records to support long-term planning and campaign execution.
• Draft and distribute timely, accurate communications announcing nominations, wins and awards-related updates for internal and external audiences.
• Maintain comprehensive programming calendars and production records to support eligibility tracking and future submissions.
• Collaborate with the Warner Bros. Discovery Awards team to align on enterprise initiatives, best practices and corporate opportunities.

Your Qualifications & Experience…
• 5+ years experience
• Exceptionally organized, thorough and detail-oriented, with a commitment to accuracy and quality.
• Proven ability to manage a high volume of concurrent projects while balancing competing priorities and meeting hard external deadlines.
• Self-motivated and dependable, with the ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams and departments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with senior executives, editorial leaders, external partners and awards organizations.
• Highly adaptable and comfortable navigating evolving programming priorities, awards criteria and submission requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to remain calm under pressure, manage sensitive situations with discretion and build productive relationships across a variety of personalities.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and holidays on a seasonal basis to support submission deadlines, nominations and awards ceremonies.
• Experience in the entertainment, news or media industry is required; experience managing awards programs or campaigns is strongly preferred.