Vice President, Global Astronaut Sales - #304124

Reporting to the Chief Growth Officer (CGO), the VP of Global Astronaut Sales will lead Virgin Galactic’s end-to-end revenue engine—driving demand, conversion, and lifetime value across our private astronaut journeys.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the commercial frontier of human spaceflight. You will architect and scale a global sales organization that engages the world’s most discerning customers—high-net-worth individuals, visionary explorers, and guiding them from first inspiration to spaceflight and beyond.

Success in this role requires a bold, strategic operator who can seamlessly blend high-touch relationship management with modern, data-driven growth strategies. You will partner across Marketing, Product, Technology, and Operations to continuously evolve our offering, unlock new markets, and deliver exceptional, category-defining experiences.

Responsibilities

Enterprise Growth Leadership

• Own and execute Virgin Galactic’s global revenue strategy across private astronaut bookings, and strategic partnerships.
• Build and lead a world-class, globally distributed sales organization capable of delivering sustained, scalable growth.
• Establish rigorous sales processes, forecasting, and performance management systems to drive accountability and precision.
• Foster a high-performance culture grounded in ambition, creativity, and disciplined execution.
• Partner closely with executive leadership to align growth strategy with long-term company objectives.
  
  

Research & Institutional Revenue

• Expand Virgin Galactic’s leadership as the premier platform for suborbital research.
• Build strategic partnerships with government agencies, academic institutions, and commercial research organizations.
• Drive growth in microgravity research, atmospheric science, and life sciences missions through innovative commercial models.
• Position Virgin Galactic as an indispensable partner for cutting-edge scientific discovery.
  
  

Strategic Partnerships & Market Expansion

• Develop high-impact partnerships with global luxury brands, media platforms, and influential networks to amplify reach and credibility.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Creative to deliver a unified, compelling brand and demand-generation strategy.
• Stay ahead of evolving trends across space tourism, luxury experiences, and emerging commercial space markets.
  
  

Spacefarer Experience & Pipeline

• Design and scale the spacefarer expedition booking experience—from initial interest through spaceflight purchase, then partner with our Astronaut Office to ensure concierge service through onboarding, astronaut readiness, and flight day.
• Develop innovative go-to-market strategies and partnerships to expand and diversify the global astronaut pipeline.
• Cultivate deep, trusted relationships with high-net-worth individuals and their advisors, delivering a bespoke, concierge-level sales experience.
• Leverage customer insights and market intelligence to continuously refine offerings, pricing, and positioning.
• Identify and unlock new revenue streams that enhance both growth and the overall astronaut experience.
  
  

Executive Stakeholder Engagement

• Provide clear, data-driven insights on pipeline health, conversion, and market dynamics.
• Deliver regular updates to executive leadership and the Board on performance, opportunities, and risks.
• Serve as a key external ambassador for Virgin Galactic with customers, partners, and industry stakeholders.
  
  

Required Skills And Experience

Experience & Leadership

• 10+ years of senior leadership experience in revenue, sales, or growth roles, ideally within high-net-worth, luxury, aviation, or experience-driven industries.
• Proven track record of scaling revenue and building high-performing, global sales teams.
• Deep expertise in engaging and converting high-net-worth individuals through high-touch, relationship-driven sales models.
• Demonstrated ability to operate at both strategic and executional levels in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Global perspective with experience driving results across multiple international markets.
  
  

Capabilities

• Exceptional executive presence with the ability to influence sophisticated clients, partners, and internal stakeholders.
• Strong commercial instincts paired with analytical rigor and data-driven decision-making.
• Ability to integrate sales, marketing, and product strategies to drive both revenue and brand equity.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a bias for action, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Passion for space, exploration, and building category-defining experiences.
  
  

Technology & Tools

• Fluency in CRM platforms (Salesforce), marketing automation, and modern sales technology ecosystems.
• Experience leveraging AI and advanced analytics to optimize pipeline performance and customer engagement.
• Digitally savvy with the ability to guide content, storytelling, and customer experience innovation.
  
  

Work Type & Travel

• Hybrid Working - In office 4 days per week in Tustin, CA.
• Ability to travel frequently, including attending VIP customer events, conferences, and mission launches.
  
  

The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $250,000.00–$325,000.00. The base pay actually offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, location, and experience and take into account internal equity. Other forms of pay (e.g., bonus or long term incentive) may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits, dependent on the position offered. For more information regarding Virgin Galactic benefits, please visit https://vgcareers.virgingalactic.com/global/en/benefits

Who We Are

Virgin Galactic is an aerospace and space travel company, pioneering human spaceflight for private individuals and researchers with its advanced air and space vehicles. We are making the dream of space travel a reality, delivering spaceflight at an unprecedented frequency, with the development of next generation space vehicles.

Export Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. Person (either a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident or a protected individual as defined 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) or be able to obtain the required authorization from either the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce. The applicant must also not be included in the list of Specifically Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. See list here.

EEO Statement

Virgin Galactic is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Virgin Galactic is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Drug Free Workplace

Virgin Galactic is committed to a Drug Free Workplace. All applicants post offer and active teammates are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies. This can include pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, and accident related drug and alcohol testing.

Phoenix Employment Requirements

For individuals seeking employment at our Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport facility, employment is contingent upon you obtaining and maintaining a TSA authorized security badge. This includes initial and annual mandatory background checks that are governed by TSA, and conducted by the Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport badging office.