VP, Recruiting

TKO; Stamford (CT); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

TKO Group Holdings, Inc. is seeking a VP of Recruiting to lead talent acquisition for UFC, WWE, PBR, and Zuffa Boxing. Based in Stamford, CT, you will manage a three-person team, shape strategy, and partner with business leaders across brands.

You will drive a high-volume, high-quality hiring engine, scale referral programs, and champion AI recruiting tools. Regular travel to Las Vegas and Fort Worth may be required as part of business needs.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of recruiting leadership experience.
• Strong client-service mentality with proactive communication.
• Excellent follow-up and ability to close loops.
• Reputation as a trusted partner with stakeholders.
• Curiosity about UFC, WWE, PBR, Zuffa Boxing operations and talent needs.
• Experience building or scaling referral programs.
• Hands-on with AI recruiting tools and adoption (Findem/Paradox).
• Thrives in a fast-paced, high-volume environment and travel readiness.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of three recruiters, setting high standards and accountability.
• Develop and deliver recruiting strategies aligned to UFC, WWE, PBR, and Zuffa Boxing.
• Partner with hiring managers and business leaders; stay connected to cultures and talent needs.
• Drive high-volume searches while maintaining quality and candidate experience.
• Build scalable referral programs and promote AI recruiting tools adoption.
• Develop talent pipelines and anticipate future hiring needs.
• Oversee TKO's early careers internship program and senior searches.

Skills

Recruiting leadership

Team management

Client service

Communication

Relationship building

AI recruiting tools

Travel flexibility

Tools

Findem

Paradox

Job description

Who We Are

TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company. TKO owns iconic properties including UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization; WWE, the global leader in sports entertainment; and PBR, the world’s premier bull riding organization. Together, these properties reach 1 billion households across 210 countries and territories and organize more than 500 live events year-round, attracting more than three million fans. TKO also services and partners with major sports rights holders through IMG, an industry-leading global sports marketing agency; and On Location, a global leader in premium experiential hospitality.

Who We Are

TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company. TKO owns iconic properties including UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization; WWE, the recognized global leader in sports entertainment; and PBR, the world’s premier bull riding organization. Together, these properties reach 1 billion households across 210 countries and territories and organize more than 500 live events year-round, attracting more than three million fans. TKO also services and partners with major sports rights holders through IMG, an industry-leading global sports marketing agency; and On Location, a global leader in premium experiential hospitality.

About Tko

TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company. TKO owns and operates UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, WWE, the recognized global leader in sports entertainment, Professional Bull Riders (PBR), the world’s premier bull riding organization, IMG, a global leader in sports, events, media, and fashion, and On Location, a premium experiential hospitality business. Together, these brands and businesses produce hundreds of live events annually, serve partners across the globe, and reach hundreds of millions of fans worldwide.

Position Summary

TKO is looking for a VP, Recruiting to lead talent acquisition for UFC, WWE, Professional Bull Riders (PBR), and Zuffa Boxing. Reporting to the SVP, Global Recruiting and based in Stamford, CT, this leader will manage a team of three recruiters, oversee strategic search as well as TKO’s early careers internship program.

This is a role for someone who takes immense pride in their work, brings high standards, and earns a reputation as a trusted partner across the business. The VP, Recruiting will be just as comfortable building relationships on the floor of a live event as they are driving process and strategy from their desk. Presence and proximity to the businesses matter here. This person will be in Stamford 3–4 days per week, visit the NYC office frequently, and travel regularly to Las Vegas and Fort Worth to stay immersed in each business, know its leaders and employees, and maintain a pulse on the candidate market.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team. Manage, develop, and inspire a team of three. Set high standards. Create an environment where the team does their best work, holds themselves accountable, and takes pride in the quality and consistency of what they deliver.
• Set recruiting strategy. Develop and deliver recruiting strategies that align with the priorities of each business. Translate what UFC, WWE, PBR, and Zuffa Boxing need to grow into a clear, actionable talent plan. Revisit and adapt that plan as business needs evolve.
• Partner with the business. Serve as the primary recruiting partner for UFC, WWE, PBR, and Zuffa Boxing. Build strong, trusted relationships with hiring managers and business leaders. Stay connected to each business’s culture, priorities, and talent needs. Show up, be present, and be known.
• Drive results. Manage a high volume of searches without sacrificing quality. Fill roles efficiently, with the right candidates, and deliver a consistent hiring manager and candidate experience. Be measured by client feedback and satisfaction, and by the success of the people you place once they are in the building.
• Build programs that scale. Lead the development and adoption of a referral program across UFC, WWE, PBR, and Zuffa Boxing. Drive meaningful usage of AI recruiting tools including Findem and Paradox. Strengthen TKO’s employer brand externally and internally.
• Develop talent pipelines. Know the candidate market. Build and maintain relationships with top talent before the need arises. Think ahead of the business, not behind it.
• Lead early careers. Oversee TKO’s early careers internship program with the same rigor and client-service mindset applied to all other recruiting activity.
• Recruit for senior roles. In addition to leading the team, personally lead searches for senior and critical positions across the portfolio.

Requirements

• 10+ years of recruiting experience, with a proven track record leading teams and managing full-cycle searches across multiple business units or brands
• A client-service mentality. You are responsive, proactive, and treat every hiring manager interaction as an opportunity to build trust and deliver value
• Strong follow-up and follow-through. You close loops, update stakeholders without being asked, and never let things fall through the cracks
• A reputation builder. The way you work and the quality of your output speak for themselves
• Genuine curiosity about the businesses you support. You want to understand how UFC, WWE, PBR, Zuffa Boxing operate, who makes them run, and what talent they need to grow
• Experience building or significantly scaling referral programs
• Hands‑on experience with AI recruiting tools and a drive to lead adoption across your team and business partners (experience with Findem and/or Paradox a plus)
• A creative problem‑solving approach. You find solutions, not obstacles
• The ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, high-volume environment without letting quality slip
• Comfort with regular travel to Las Vegas, NV and Fort Worth, TX
• A bias toward presence. You understand that relationships are built in person and you show up accordingly

Location

Stamford, CT (3–4 days per week in office), with frequent visits to the NYC office and regular travel to Las Vegas, NV and Fort Worth, TX.

TKO EEO Statement

TKO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding non-discrimination in employment. TKO makes employment decisions based on merit and qualifications, without considering an employee’s or applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited under federal, state or local laws governing non‑discrimination in employment in every location in which the Company has facilities. TKO also provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state or local laws. For information about Privacy and Information Security for TKO employment candidates, please review our Privacy Policy. For information regarding Terms of Use for this and other TKO websites, please review our Terms of Use.