Astronaut Events & Experience Manager

Virgin Galactic•Las Cruces, NM

7d•$81,650 - $124,600•Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Vice President, Astronaut Office & Experience, as the Astronaut Event & Experience Manager, you will be responsible for the execution of facility-based activities for our Astronaut Community, ensuring each interaction reflects Virgin Galactic’s standards, values, and commitment to education and operational excellence. As part of the Astronaut Office & Experience team, you will help deliver high-quality, immersive experiences that build confidence, excitement, and readiness for spaceflight. Support the company strategy by holding yourself and one another accountable for getting the work done. These experiences are based out of our Las Cruces, New Mexico office and are primarily centered at Spaceport America, New Mexico, with frequent travel to Phoenix, Arizona and regular visits to other Virgin Galactic facilities.

Requirements

Minimum of 7 years’ experience in premium, bespoke event management, hospitality management or a related field.
Demonstrated experience managing events from concept through execution and reconciliation
Demonstrated ability to build trust and rapport in high-touch, customer-facing environments with professionalism
Communicate in a manner that is timely, respectful, and open to other ideas.
Experience managing budgets, vendors, and contracts
Exceptional attention to detail with a strong focus on process and logistics
Ability to manage multiple priorities and drive progress in a fast-paced environment
Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with the ability to work independently
Strong organizational and time-management skills
Proven ability to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels of the organization
Willingness to work outside standard business hours to support a global customer base

Responsibilities

Plan and deliver astronaut experiences – design, coordinate, and execute engaging on-site events that support astronaut preparation, foster community, and build excitement for the spaceflight experience.
Host and compere astronaut experiences – lead from the front to manage the attendees, tailor to the individual, build strong relationships within the community and develop a deep understanding of their motivations.
Manage event execution end to end – oversee all phases of experience delivery, from planning through execution and post-event reconciliation, ensuring objectives are met and high standards upheld.
Deliver attendee communications – manage pre and post-event communications to ensure participants are informed, prepared, and supported throughout the experience.
Coordinate cross-functional delivery – work collaboratively to achieve goals and/or complete tasks in partnership with internal teams, including Security and facility partners, to ensure seamless execution, attendee readiness, and compliance with access requirements.
Manage vendors and contracts – source, coordinate, and manage external vendors; negotiate contracts; oversee vendor delivery to ensure quality and reliability.
Own event budgets – create and manage experience budgets in alignment with company guidelines; track expenses and implement cost controls to ensure delivery within approved parameters.
Develop feedback and improvement loops – implement post-event feedback mechanisms, analyze insights, and apply learnings to continuously improve future experiences.
Support forward planning – contribute to the development of a forward-looking experience calendar for the Future Astronaut community, partnering with internal stakeholders to ensure a balanced and diverse offering.
Establish experience standards – create, document, and maintain operating guidelines and standards for all facility-based experiences to ensure consistency, quality, and scalability.