Production Assistant (Temporary)

Warner Bros. Discovery is hiring a temporary Production Assistant to join the Anderson Cooper 360 team in New York. This role sits within CNN’s editorial development workflow, supporting story research, talent identification, and IP ideation for one of cable news’s longest-running primetime programs. It’s a strong fit for someone early in their non-fiction television career who wants hands-on exposure to the full development process at a major network.

About the Role

The Production Assistant works directly within the Anderson Cooper 360 production team, contributing to the research and development pipeline that feeds nightly episodic television. Day-to-day work centers on sourcing stories, tracking potential guests, and supporting the organizational infrastructure that keeps a live news program running on deadline. This is a research-heavy position, not a general runner role, and requires genuine familiarity with the non-fiction programming landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth research using online databases to identify story leads, potential talent, and IP opportunities for episodic segments.
• Support story development from initial ideation through to production-ready briefs for editorial and on-air teams.
• Assist producers with organizational and administrative tasks tied to the daily production schedule of a live news program.
• Track national political developments and journalism trends to surface timely, relevant content for the show’s editorial calendar.
• Manage multiple research workstreams simultaneously, maintaining detailed records and meeting tight turnaround times.
• Provide logistical support across pre-production and production phases as segment needs shift throughout the broadcast day.

What You Bring

• Prior experience in non-fiction television development or a demonstrated track record of research in a journalism or media context.
• Proficiency with online research databases used in editorial and development workflows.
• Working knowledge of national politics, the current journalism landscape, and the non-fiction television market.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities across a live production environment.
• Clear written and verbal communication, with the judgment to flag story issues early in the development process.

Why This Role

Anderson Cooper 360 is one of the most visible programs in American cable news, and this position offers direct access to how a major network develops and produces nightly episodic television at scale. Warner Bros. Discovery’s compensation range for this role is $35,360 to $50,700 annually, with additional eligibility for bonuses, short and long-term incentives, and a full benefits package including health coverage and retirement savings. For a Production Assistant building credits in non-fiction television, few environments offer this level of editorial access in New York.

Apply now for the Production Assistant role at Warner Bros. Discovery and take the next step in your non-fiction television career.