After nearly four years at the helm, MSNBC President Rashida Jones is set to resign from her position.

In a memo to her staff on Tuesday, Jones, who made history as the first Black woman to oversee a major news network, revealed her decision. This significant change at MSNBC comes just days ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Donald J. Trump, coinciding with shifts in the network’s corporate structure.

Rebecca Kutler, who is the senior vice president of content strategy, will step in as the interim president for MSNBC, as announced by the network. Jones will remain available in an advisory capacity until March.

“Rashida has skillfully led MSNBC through an exceptionally challenging news landscape while achieving record audience numbers and expanding into new media ventures,” stated Mark Lazarus, chairman of NBCUniversal Media Group, in a staff call announcing her departure.

“MSNBC is well-prepared for the future, and I’m thankful for Rashida’s continued support during this transitional phase.”

Rashida Jones Makes History as First Black News Network Leader

In December 2020, Jones made history when she was appointed as MSNBC’s president, becoming the first Black individual to preside over a news network.

In her previous role as senior vice president at NBC News and MSNBC, Jones was integral in managing breaking news and significant events, including the coverage of the COVID-19 crisis and Trump’s impeachment. She also played a key role in overseeing presidential debates and major live broadcasts.

Jones took over the presidency of MSNBC in February 2021, succeeding Phil Griffin who departed the network earlier that year.

Jones’ Departure Just Days Before Inauguration

During her time at MSNBC, Jones successfully brought in new talent such as former Biden administration spokesperson Jen Psaki, emphasized digital content, and recruited Kutler from CNN in 2022.

However, viewership for MSNBC’s liberal programming has dropped since Trump’s election in November, with a 58% decline in prime-time ratings. Despite this significant drop, the network is optimistic for a recovery with Trump’s inauguration, particularly with Rachel Maddow returning to her show five nights a week.

The announcement of Jones’ resignation follows Comcast’s recent plans to separate most of its cable networks, including MSNBC, from NBC News into a new company, referred to as SpinCo. Reports indicate that MSNBC will keep its current name post-spin-off.

“I reached this decision over the holidays while reflecting on our incredible journey and the successes we’ve achieved as a team,” Jones shared in her staff memo. “This has been the most fulfilling phase of my career, and I am extremely proud of all we’ve accomplished together, made possible by your hard work.”

Lazarus commended Kutler, Jones’ interim replacement, as “a catalyst for growth” and a “respected veteran in the industry with extensive experience.”

Kutler joined MSNBC from CNN, where she devoted two decades of service, most recently as a senior vice president overseeing dayside programming and content, which included podcasts, films, live events, and digital offerings.

Contributors: Nathan Bomey, Gary Levin, YSL News

Eric Lagatta reports on breaking and trending news.