David Rhodes is stepping down from his role as CBS News President and will be replaced by senior executive producer Susan Zirinsky, the first woman to hold the position.

Zirinsky, who joined CBS News in 1972, “has touched virtually every division and every CBS broadcast over the decades she’s worked here,” said Joe Ianiello, acting CEO of CBS Corp. “During this period when the world is consuming news and information than ever before, the importance of our news division couldn’t be greater. It requires a leader with experience, passion and commitment to excellence, particularly here at CBS News where we have expanded aggressively digitally and globally. I can think of no one more equipped than ‘Z’ for the job, and we are delighted she has welcomed these new responsibilities.”

The exit of Rhodes is one of several high profile departures, following the resignation of CEO Les Moonves, and the firings of Charlie Rose and 60 Minutes Executive Producer Jeff Fager. Rhodes will remain through March 1. “The new year is a time for renewal, for new goals,” said Rhodes, who has led the division since 2011, in an internal memo. “The world we cover is changing, how we cover it is changing – and it’s the right time for me to make a change too.”