VP, Recruiting

wwecorp; Stamford (CT); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

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

You will travel to NYC, Las Vegas, and Fort Worth as needed to stay close to leaders and markets. This role requires 10+ years of recruiting leadership, a client-service mindset, and hands-on experience with AI recruiting tools like Findem and

Qualifications

• 10+ years of recruiting experience across multiple brands.
• Proven track record leading teams and full-cycle searches.
• Strong client-service mindset and stakeholder engagement.
• Excellent follow-through and accountability.
• Curiosity about the businesses and talent needs.
• Experience building referral programs.
• Hands-on with AI recruiting tools and adoption.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of three recruiters.
• Develop and deliver recruiting strategies for each business.
• Partner with hiring managers and business leaders.
• Drive high-volume searches with quality.
• Build scalable referral programs.
• Develop talent pipelines and early careers.
• Lead senior-level searches across portfolio.

Skills

Recruiting leadership

Client service

Relationship building

Accountability

Market knowledge

AI recruiting tools

Strategic planning

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.

TKO Group Holdings | Stamford, CT

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. 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