Director, Business Development
About The Position
The Director, Business Development for Zuffa Boxing will lead the development and commercialization of TKO’s newest combat-sports property within the Global Partnerships group. This role is resposnsible for securing multi-year brand partnerships through a client-direct sales approach, building long-term relationships with category-leading brands, and developing integrated partnership platforms tied to Zuffa Boxing’s live events, athlete storytelling, content extensions, and event-environment integrations. This is a ground-floor opportunity to shape the commercial strategy and founding partner ecosystem of a new global boxing franchise backed by the strength and scale of TKO. Lead all partnership sales efforts for Zuffa Boxing, from category strategy through deal close. Build and communicate a compelling commercial narrative for Zuffa Boxing’s live event platform. Identify high-value brand categories and develop custom partnership programs across event presenting positions, event-environment visibility assets, press conferences, weigh-ins, athlete-facing media moments, digital/social content extensions, fighter IP usage, and experiential activations. Partner cross-functionally with Events, Athlete Relations, Creative, Digital/Social, and Production (non-broadcast) to develop integrated partnership platforms. Structure and negotiate multi-year partnership agreements in collaboration with Revenue Strategy and Legal. Maintain an active pipeline of prospects, organize outreach, and provide pacing updates to Global Partnerships leadership. Represent Zuffa Boxing in senior-level brand and agency meetings. Serve as the commercial lead for Zuffa Boxing within Global Partnerships, ensuring alignment across UFC, WWE, PBR, and the broader TKO portfolio.
Requirements
- 8–10 years of sponsorship or brand partnership sales experience in sports, entertainment, or live events.
- Proven success closing multi-year, multi-asset partnerships with major brands.
- Experience selling event-based assets, visibility platforms, and integrated brand activations.
- Strong relationships with senior brand marketers and sponsorship agency leaders.
- Ability to craft narrative-driven proposals and connect brand objectives to event and content assets.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder-management skills.
- Entrepreneurial mindset and enthusiasm for building a new property inside a high-performance organization.
Responsibilities
- Lead all partnership sales efforts for Zuffa Boxing, from category strategy through deal close.
- Build and communicate a compelling commercial narrative for Zuffa Boxing’s live event platform.
- Identify high-value brand categories and develop custom partnership programs across event presenting positions, event-environment visibility assets, press conferences, weigh-ins, athlete-facing media moments, digital/social content extensions, fighter IP usage, and experiential activations.
- Partner cross-functionally with Events, Athlete Relations, Creative, Digital/Social, and Production (non-broadcast) to develop integrated partnership platforms.
- Structure and negotiate multi-year partnership agreements in collaboration with Revenue Strategy and Legal.
- Maintain an active pipeline of prospects, organize outreach, and provide pacing updates to Global Partnerships leadership.
- Represent Zuffa Boxing in senior-level brand and agency meetings.
- Serve as the commercial lead for Zuffa Boxing within Global Partnerships, ensuring alignment across UFC, WWE, PBR, and the broader TKO portfolio.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
501-1,000 employees
