Head of Department - Distribution, Data, and Audience Products | Leitung Hauptabteilung - Distribution, Daten und Publikumsprodukte

Job Summary

This senior leadership role at Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) in Cologne involves driving the technical implementation and strategic direction for central audience products, including the ARD Mediathek and various app offerings (e.g., Sportschau). The Head of Department will manage a deep organizational transformation, overseeing the technical delivery of web, app, portal, and platform solutions, and managing the cross-media broadcast center that interfaces with production. A critical focus is ensuring program distribution and aligning products strictly with audience needs using modern streaming technologies. The successful candidate must be an experienced leader capable of balancing journalistic, technical, and financial considerations, leveraging rapidly evolving technology, and using KPIs for effective project and team steering. This position requires establishing the department as an ARD-wide recognized innovator and reliable internal service provider through cooperative, change-oriented, and innovation-focused leadership.