MSNBC named Rashida Jones, one of its most senior editorial executives, as the new president of the network Monday, the first change in leadership at the 24-hour cable channel since 2008.

Ms. Jones, who will become the highest-ranking Black woman in the television news industry, will assume the role on Feb. 1, the network said.

She will replace Phil Griffin, whose oversight of MSNBC’s liberal prime-time lineup yielded big ratings in the Trump years and minted media stars like Rachel Maddow, now MSNBC’s No. 1 draw.

Mr. Griffin joined MSNBC at its founding in 1996 and commands loyalty from many of the network’s on-air personalities.

Ms. Jones is a senior vice president for news at MSNBC and NBC News, overseeing breaking news and special events for the cable channel and NBC’s broadcast news division. She joined NBCUniversal seven years ago.

Her promotion was announced on Monday by Cesar Conde, the chairman of NBCUniversal News Group, and it marked another major shake-up in the NBCUniversal management ranks. Mr. Conde, who formerly ran Telemundo, took over the news division this year after Andrew Lack departed following a bumpy tenure.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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