Sr. Director Mission Management

We are looking for a senior operational leader who can unite planning, integration, payload readiness, and mission execution into a single, reliable, future‑focused mission management system. Maintain focus on timeliness and execution of tasks and deliverables every day. Support the company strategy by holding ourselves and one another accountable for getting the work done.

The Senior Director of Mission Management leads the organization responsible for the planning, integration, execution, and monitoring of all Virgin Galactic missions. You will manage the teams that prepare each mission, integrate payloads, and operate the Mission Control Center and simulation environments.

You will shape the end‑to‑end mission lifecycle, from long‑range planning to real‑time execution to post‑mission analysis, while ensuring safe, predictable, and scalable operations.

This role requires a seasoned aviation, aerospace, or space operations leader who can blend strategic planning with operational discipline, cross‑functional integration, and strong mission leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mission integration process, connecting planning, vehicle readiness, payload needs, crew readiness, airspace access, and operational constraints into a unified mission baseline.
• Own the mission execution rhythm, including readiness reviews, mission rehearsals, mission day execution, and post‑mission analysis.
• Serve as the senior mission authority for cross‑functional integration and operational decision‑making.
• Drive improvements in mission throughput, schedule reliability, payload readiness flow, and MCC performance.
• Ensure lessons learned from simulations, rehearsals, IROPs, and mission execution feed into planning cycles and system improvements.
• Champion data‑driven decision-making through performance metrics, dashboards, and operational analysis.
• Partner closely with Technical Operations, Safety, Astronaut Operations, Engineering, and Spaceflight Systems on all mission‑critical processes.
• Ensure all mission dependencies and readiness elements are integrated early, clearly, and consistently.
• Coach, train, and transfer expertise to your team to drive projects to completion.
• Foster a culture of open/honest communication, transparency, and accountability.
• Demonstrate management and development skills, ability to manage large projects, prioritize effectively, and communicate with stakeholders.
  
  

Required Skills And Experience

• 20 years in mission operations, aviation/airline operations, aerospace or spaceflight operations, or other high‑reliability operational environments.
• Bachelor's degree in management (esp. operations), engineering, finance, or other quantitative discipline or equivalent experience.
• Experience leading complex operational teams with direct responsibility for mission/flight execution, operational control, or integration.
• Strong background in mission control, operations centers, or command‑and‑control environments.
• Proven success building cross‑functional alignment and driving large operational systems.
• Excellent communication, synthesis, and decision‑making skills under pressure.
• Ability to lead both strategic planning and real‑time operations with equal proficiency.
• Demonstrate willingness to adjust thinking and behavior.
  
  

The annual U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $154,900.00–$247,750.00. 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.