VP, Recruiting

UFC • Stamford, CT

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company that owns iconic properties including UFC, WWE, and PBR. TKO is looking for a VP, Recruiting to lead talent acquisition for UFC, WWE, Professional Bull Riders (PBR), and Zuffa Boxing. This leader will manage a team of three recruiters, oversee strategic search, and manage TKO’s early careers internship program. This role requires someone who takes pride in their work, brings high standards, and earns a reputation as a trusted partner. The VP, Recruiting will be comfortable building relationships at live events and driving process and strategy from their desk. Presence and proximity to the businesses are important, requiring the individual to 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.

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 treating every hiring manager interaction as an opportunity to build trust and deliver value.
• Strong follow-up and follow-through: closing loops, updating stakeholders without being asked, and never letting 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: wanting 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: finding 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: understanding that relationships are built in person and showing up accordingly.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team: Manage, develop, and inspire a team of three, setting high standards and creating an environment where the team does their best work.
• Set recruiting strategy: Develop and deliver recruiting strategies that align with the priorities of each business, translating business needs into an actionable talent plan and adapting it as needed.
• Partner with the business: Serve as the primary recruiting partner for UFC, WWE, PBR, and Zuffa Boxing, building strong, trusted relationships with hiring managers and business leaders.
• Drive results: Manage a high volume of searches without sacrificing quality, filling roles efficiently with the right candidates, and delivering a consistent hiring manager and candidate experience.
• Build programs that scale: Lead the development and adoption of a referral program and drive meaningful usage of AI recruiting tools like Findem and Paradox.
• Strengthen TKO’s employer brand externally and internally.
• Develop talent pipelines: Build and maintain relationships with top talent before the need arises.
• Lead early careers: Oversee TKO’s early careers internship program.
• Recruit for senior roles: Personally lead searches for senior and critical positions across the portfolio.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed