Senior Director, Partnership Marketing, Global Partnerships

Who We Are:

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and approximately 300 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 950 million households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC. 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 is seeking a Senior Director of Partnership Marketing to join our Global Partnerships team, leading the strategy, growth, and execution of UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) brand partnerships. This leader will deliver a best-in-class partnership marketing experience for key brand partners, serving as a consultative resource focused on driving measurable partner and business outcomes through strategic planning, innovation, and partnership growth.

This role will oversee a portfolio of strategic brand partnerships while leading a team responsible for day-to-day account management, integrated program execution, creative development across departments, and long-term business planning. The ideal candidate is a commercially driven leader with a proven ability to build relationships, develop high-performing teams, and identify opportunities that drive partnership renewals, incremental investment, and cross-property growth across the TKO portfolio.

• Lead the end-to-end management of commercial partnerships for UFC (and other relevant TKO properties), delivering against partner brand and business objectives. 

• Drive strategic planning for all assigned partners by identifying growth opportunities aligned with TKO Global Partnerships business goals. 

• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders including Brand, Events, Digital, Comms, Ops, Legal, and Community Relations, serving as a cross-functional project led to ensure seamless partner activation. 

• Act as the on-site PM lead at TKO events, overseeing partner integrated marketing platforms and activations ensuring flawless execution. 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with brand partners, including client hosting and relationship development at events. 

• Support revenue growth by contributing to renewals, upsells, and cross-sell opportunities across UFC, Zuffa Boxing, and the broader TKO enterprise. 

• Develop executive-ready business reviews, strategic plans, and partnership reporting that provide clear insights, growth recommendations, and long-term account strategies.

• Partner with the VP in developing a high-performing, consultative, insight-driven partnership marketing team.

• Champion a culture of innovation, proactive partner management, and strategic thinking within the Partnerships Marketing organization. 

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Partnership Marketing professionals, fostering collaboration, strategic thinking, and continuous professional growth.

You Have These: 

• 12+ years of experience in partnership marketing, marketing strategy, consulting, commercial operations, or related fields, preferably within sports, entertainment, or media. 

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and manage complex partnership programs. 

• Strong understanding of brand partnerships, sponsorship marketing, and client service models. 

• Commercial mindset with proven success supporting partnership renewals, negotiations, and revenue-generating partnership strategies. 

• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills. 

• Experience managing or mentoring team members in a fast-paced environment. 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Sports Management, or a related field required; MBA or equivalent experience a plus. 

Per local requirements and in the interest of transparency, the hourly rate shown below reflects the prevalent current hiring range for this position. Hiring pay rates are based on a number of factors, including location and may vary depending on job-related qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience. The company strives to provide locally competitive rewards packages, which include base rate along with, as applicable, short- and long-term incentives, growth and developmental opportunities, and robust benefits, such as health care, retirement, vacation and other paid time off, and additional offerings.

Hiring Rate Minimum:

$150,000 annually(minimum will not fall below the applicable State/local minimum salary thresholds)

Hiring Rate Maximum:

$200,000 annually

TKO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding non-discrimination in employment. TKO makes employment decisions based on merit and qualifications, without considering an employee’s or applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited under federal, state or local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the Company has facilities. TKO also provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state or local laws. For information about Privacy and Information Security for TKO employment candidates, please review our Privacy Policy. For information regarding Terms of Use for this and other TKO websites, please review our Terms of Use.