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.



The Role and What You’ll Do:

TKO Group Holdings is seeking a highly analytical Director of State Incentives & Economic Development to lead data-driven initiatives focused on maximizing state and local government incentives for major events and film productions across our portfolio of properties. This position will serve as a primary quantitative analyst and strategic advisor for identifying, evaluating, and optimizing government incentives that support TKO's live events, content production, and venue operations. The successful candidate will leverage advanced analytical methodologies to develop comprehensive market intelligence, create sophisticated financial models, and build strategic frameworks to optimize TKO's approach to securing public sector support for our premier entertainment properties.

Quantitative Analysis & Market Intelligence

• Develop sophisticated financial models to evaluate ROI and NPV of state and local incentive programs across all 50 states.
• Build comprehensive databases with advanced analytics to track incentive program performance, success rates, and competitive benchmarking.
• Create proprietary scoring algorithms to rank markets and opportunities based on multiple economic variables.
• Conduct rigorous market opportunity assessments using statistical analysis and predictive modeling.
• Perform deep-dive competitive intelligence analysis on how major entertainment companies optimize incentive strategies.
• Design and implement A/B testing frameworks to evaluate different incentive application approaches.

Strategic Consulting & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Work constructively with cross-functional project teams including operations, finance, legal, and business development stakeholders.
• Develop and present executive-level strategic recommendations using structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Create comprehensive business cases with detailed financial modeling to support market expansion decisions.
• Design process improvement initiatives to optimize incentive identification and application workflows.

Data-Driven Program Development

• Design quantitative frameworks to systematically identify and prioritize high-value incentive opportunities.
• Build automated systems and dashboards for tracking incentive program performance and market changes.
• Create standardized evaluation criteria and scoring methodologies for comparing opportunities across jurisdictions.
• Develop machine learning models and artificial intelligence models to predict optimal timing and approaches for incentive applications.
• Establish KPIs and measurement systems to track program effectiveness and continuously optimize strategies.

Strategic Planning & Executive Reporting

• Provide strategic recommendations to senior leadership regarding market expansion and event placement decisions.
• Prepare comprehensive reports on incentive landscape trends and opportunities for executive team.
• Support business development initiatives with market intelligence and incentive analysis.
• Contribute to long-term strategic planning processes regarding TKO's geographic footprint.
• Present findings and recommendations to senior leaders as needed.

Travel & Work Requirements

• Position requires significant travel (30-40%) to meet with government officials, attend industry events, and conduct market research.
• Occasional evening and weekend work required to accommodate government meetings and event schedules.
• Ability to work in fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.

 

You Have These: 

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Economics, Mathematics, Engineering, or quantitative field from top-tier university; MBA or advanced analytical degree strongly preferred.
• 2-5 years of experience at top-tier management consulting firm (McKinsey, Bain, BCG) or equivalent analytical role.
• Proven track record of leading complex, data-driven projects with significant business impact.
• Experience with government policy analysis, economic development, or public sector consulting preferred.
• Background in entertainment, sports, media, or related industries a plus.
• Technical Skills & Analytical Competencies
• Expert proficiency in building and running complex financial and econometric models using SQL, Python/R, Tableau, and advanced Excel.
• Extensive experience developing and executing Monte Carlo simulations, sensitivity analyses, and scenario modeling.
• Proven track record running regression analyses, time-series forecasting models, and multivariate statistical models.
• Experience building and maintaining large-scale financial models for valuation, ROI optimization, and strategic planning.
• Advanced knowledge of running predictive models including machine learning algorithms for business forecasting.
• Proficiency in model validation and performance measurement methodologies.
• Experience with project management tools and cross-functional team leadership.

Leadership & Problem-Solving

• Demonstrated ability to structure complex business problems using consulting methodologies (MECE, hypothesis-driven analysis).
• Excellent communication skills with experience presenting analytical findings to C-level executives.
• Strong project management abilities with experience working within cross-functional teams in matrix organizations.
• Ability to synthesize complex information and develop actionable strategic recommendations.
• Experience managing multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously while maintaining analytical rigor.

 

We’d Love If You Also Have These: 

• Management consulting experience with McKinsey, Bain, BCG, or similar top-tier firm.
• Advanced degree in quantitative field (MBA, MS in Analytics, Economics PhD, etc.).
• Experience building machine learning models for business applications.
• Background in economic impact analysis or policy evaluation.
• Prior experience in entertainment industry economics or sports business analytics.
• Proficiency in additional programming languages (Java, Scala) or advanced statistical software. 





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.