Astronaut Events & Experience Manager

Virgin Galactic is a pioneering aerospace and space travel company dedicated to making human spaceflight accessible to private individuals and researchers. With cutting-edge air and space vehicles, the company is transforming the dream of space travel into reality by delivering commercial spaceflight services at an unprecedented frequency. Based in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Virgin Galactic operates primarily out of Spaceport America, the world's first commercial spaceport, and maintains additional facilities in Phoenix, Arizona, as well as other locations. The company is committed to innovation, operational excellence, and a strong culture of safety and professionalism. Virgin Galactic fosters a collaborative and inclusive work environment, emphasizing merit, competence, and qualification in its hiring practices, and adhering strictly to U.S. export and security regulations. The company also maintains a drug-free workplace policy to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its employees and customers. This full-time role offers an annual U.S. base salary ranging from $81,650 to $124,600, with additional bonuses and incentives as part of a comprehensive compensation package including a variety of medical, financial, and employee benefits.

The Astronaut Event & Experience Manager will report directly to the Vice President of the Astronaut Office & Experience and is a crucial member of the team responsible for delivering high-quality, immersive experiences tailored specifically for the Astronaut Community. The role will focus on planning, coordinating, and executing facility-based activities designed to prepare astronauts for their spaceflight experiences, fostering a sense of community, excitement, and confidence in the preparation process. This position requires frequent travel between Virgin Galactic facilities, primarily in New Mexico and Arizona, to ensure seamless execution of events and programs.

Key responsibilities of the role include designing engaging on-site events that support astronaut readiness, managing all aspects of event execution from initial planning to post-event follow-up, and maintaining strong, trust-based relationships with astronauts to personalize their experiences. The manager will oversee communications related to events, collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams such as Security and facility partners, and manage external vendors and contract negotiations to assure quality and reliability. In addition, the manager will be responsible for budget creation and management to ensure efficient use of resources, developing and implementing feedback mechanisms to continuously improve experiences, and establishing consistent standards and operational guidelines for all astronaut events.

This position demands a proactive, solutions-oriented professional with exceptional organizational and time-management skills, the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, and a commitment to delivering outstanding service in a highly professional, customer-focused setting. The successful candidate will have extensive experience in premium event or hospitality management, excellent communication skills, a strong attention to detail, and the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels. Flexibility to work outside standard business hours and meet the needs of a global customer base is essential. The role at Virgin Galactic offers a unique opportunity to be part of an exciting frontier in commercial space travel, contributing directly to the preparation and experience of future astronauts who are part of a groundbreaking journey beyond Earth.