VP, Recruiting

TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company that owns and operates iconic properties including UFC, WWE, Professional Bull Riders (PBR), IMG, and On Location. Together, these brands produce hundreds of live events annually, serve global partners, 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 lead TKO’s early careers internship program. The role requires a hands-on leader who builds trusted partnerships across the business, balancing relationship-building at live events with strategic process and execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and inspire a team of three recruiters, setting high standards for quality, accountability, and consistency.
• Develop and execute recruiting strategies aligned with the growth priorities of UFC, WWE, PBR, and Zuffa Boxing, adapting plans as business needs evolve.
• Serve as the primary recruiting partner for each business, building strong relationships with hiring managers and leaders while staying immersed in their culture and talent needs.
• Manage a high volume of searches without sacrificing quality, delivering a consistent hiring manager and candidate experience.
• Build and scale a referral program across all brands, driving adoption of AI recruiting tools (e.g., Findem, Paradox) and strengthening TKO’s employer brand.
• Develop proactive talent pipelines, 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 functions.
• 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: responsive, proactive, and focused on building trust with hiring managers.
• Strong follow-up and follow-through, ensuring stakeholders are updated and loops are closed.
• A reputation for high-quality work and output that speaks for itself.
• Genuine curiosity about the businesses you support, with a desire to understand their operations, leadership, and talent needs.
• Experience building or scaling referral programs.
• Hands-on experience with AI recruiting tools (e.g., Findem, Paradox) and a drive to lead adoption across teams.
• 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

• Based in Stamford, CT, with 3–4 days per week in the office.
• Frequent visits to the NYC office.
• Regular travel to Las Vegas, NV, and Fort Worth, TX.