Director, Global Astronaut Sales

Virgin Galactic is pioneering a new era of human spaceflight—opening space to private individuals, researchers, and institutions through our advanced air and space vehicles. Our mission is to connect the world to the awe and transformative power of space. With next-generation vehicles designed for high-frequency operations and industry-leading economics, we are scaling toward a future where space is accessible, repeatable, and commercially sustainable.

Position Summary

Reporting to the VP of Global Astronaut Sales and Partnerships, the director of Global Astronaut Sales is responsible for leading Virgin Galactic's private astronaut sales efforts, guiding future astronauts from initial inquiry through booking and final payment.

This is a unique opportunity to help shape one of the world's most extraordinary sales experiences. The Director will establish and continuously improve the sales process, ensuring every prospective astronaut receives a highly personalized, concierge-level experience while building a scalable and disciplined sales organization.

Success in this role requires an exceptional relationship builder who thrives working with high-net-worth individuals. The ideal candidate is naturally personable, passionate about space exploration, comfortable engaging sophisticated clients around the world, and excited to travel frequently to meet prospective astronauts and represent Virgin Galactic. Support the company strategy by holding ourselves and one another accountable for getting the work done.

Responsibilities

Private Astronaut Sales

• Own the sales process for Virgin Galactic's private astronaut bookings from initial inquiry through signed purchase agreement and final payment.
• Build trusted relationships with prospective astronauts, their families, advisors, and family offices through a highly personalized sales approach.
• Deliver an exceptional concierge-style customer experience throughout the sales journey.
• Identify opportunities to improve conversion rates and shorten sales cycles through continuous process refinement.
• Develop a deep understanding of each prospective astronaut's motivations and tailor the sales experience accordingly.

Sales Process and Operations

• Establish and document Virgin Galactic's end-to-end astronaut sales process.
• Build repeatable sales playbooks, pipeline management practices, and forecasting methodologies.
• Maintain accurate CRM data and sales reporting using Salesforce.
• Partner with Marketing to ensure strong lead qualification and smooth handoff into the sales process.
• Work closely with the Astronaut Office (operations team) to ensure a seamless transition following purchase.

Customer and Market Insights

• Gather customer feedback and market intelligence to improve the booking experience.
• Share insights with leadership to help refine messaging, pricing, and customer experience.
• Represent Virgin Galactic at customer events, conferences, private gatherings, and industry functions.

Requires Skills and Experience

• 5–8 years of experience in luxury, hospitality, private aviation, wealth management, or other relationship-driven sales environments.
• Demonstrated success selling high-value products or experiences with long sales cycles.
• Experience creating or improving sales processes and operating procedures.
• Strong CRM discipline with experience using Salesforce or similar platforms.

Personal Attributes

• Exceptionally personable with outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.
• Naturally curious and skilled at building authentic, long-term relationships.
• Passion for space exploration and excitement about helping customers achieve a once-in-a-lifetime dream.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a willingness to build new processes and continuously improve them.
• Demonstrate willingness to adjust thinking and behavior.
• Ability to communicate in a manner that is timely, respectful, and open to other ideas.

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 $200,000.00 – $250,000.00. 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.