VP, Recruiting

About TKO

TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company that owns and operates iconic properties including UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization; WWE, the 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 produce hundreds of live events annually, serve partners across the globe, and reach hundreds of millions of fans worldwide.

About the Role

TKO is seeking 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, and drive TKO’s early careers internship program. The role requires a high standard of excellence, strong partnership with business leaders, and comfort engaging both at live events and in strategic planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and inspire a team of three recruiters, fostering an environment of accountability, quality, and pride in their work.
• Develop and execute recruiting strategies aligned with the priorities of UFC, WWE, PBR, and Zuffa Boxing, adapting plans as business needs evolve.
• Serve as the primary recruiting partner for these brands, building trusted relationships with hiring managers and business leaders while staying immersed in each business’s culture and talent needs.
• Drive high-volume, high-quality hiring results, ensuring a consistent and positive experience for both hiring managers and candidates.
• Build and scale programs, including a referral program across all brands, and lead the adoption of AI recruiting tools such as Findem and Paradox.
• Strengthen TKO’s employer brand both externally and internally.
• Develop proactive talent pipelines by maintaining relationships with top candidates before needs arise.
• Oversee TKO’s early careers internship program with the same rigor and client-service mindset as other recruiting activities.
• Personally lead searches for senior and critical roles 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, with responsiveness, proactivity, and a focus on building trust in every interaction.
• Strong follow-up and follow-through, ensuring loops are closed and stakeholders are updated without prompting.
• A reputation for high-quality work and output that speaks for itself.
• Genuine curiosity about the businesses you support, including how UFC, WWE, PBR, and Zuffa Boxing operate 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 teams (experience with Findem and/or Paradox is a plus).
• A creative, solution-oriented approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment without compromising quality.
• Comfort with regular travel to Las Vegas, NV, and Fort Worth, TX.
• A bias toward in-person presence, understanding that relationships are built through proximity and engagement.

Schedule

This role is based in Stamford, CT, with an expectation of 3–4 days per week in the office. Frequent visits to the NYC office and regular travel to Las Vegas, NV, and Fort Worth, TX, are required.