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VP, Sustainability

Tustin, CA

Virgin Galactic (“Virgin”) is a vertically-integrated aerospace company pioneering human spaceflight for private individuals and researchers, as well as a manufacturer of advanced air and space vehicles. Using their proprietary and reusable technologies, and supported by a distinctive, Virgin-branded customer experience, they are developing a spaceflight system designed to offer customers a unique, multi-day, transformative experience. This culminates in a spaceflight that includes views of Earth from space and several minutes of weightlessness that will launch from Spaceport America, New Mexico. Virgin believes that one of the most exciting and significant opportunities of our time lies in the commercial exploration of space and the development of technology that will change the way we travel across the globe in the future. Virgin is opening access to space to change the world for good.

 

Over the past decade, several trends have converged to invigorate the commercial space industry. Rapidly advancing technologies, decreasing costs, open innovation models with improved access to technology and greater availability of capital have driven significant growth in the commercial space market. According to a December 2019 article from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the commercial space market is expected to grow 6% per year, from $385 billion in 2017 to at least $1.5 trillion by 2040, reaching 5% of U.S. gross domestic product. As a result of these trends, Virgin believes the exploration of space and the cultivation and monetization of space-related capabilities offer immense potential for the creation of economic value and future growth. Virgin is at the center of these industry trends and well-positioned to capitalize on them by bringing human spaceflight to a broad global population that dreams of traveling to space.

 

The market for commercial human spaceflight for private individuals is new and untapped. As of December 31, 2021, only approximately 600 humans have ever traveled above the Earth’s atmosphere into space to become officially recognized as astronauts, cosmonauts or taikonauts. Overwhelmingly, these men and women have been government employees handpicked by government space agencies such as NASA and trained over many years at significant expense. Private commercial space travel has been limited to a select group of individuals who were able to reach space, generally only at great personal expense, risk and discomfort. Virgin is planning to change that. They believe a significant market opportunity exists to provide individuals with a dynamic spaceflight experience at a fraction of the expense incurred by other private individuals to date. This market opportunity is supported by the more than 700 reservations and over $90.0 million of deposits Virgin had booked as of December 31, 2021.

 

This role will be responsible for leading, inspiring, developing, and implementing strategies and programs that will advance Virgin Galactic’s sustainability goals. The role will manage sustainability reporting and ESG disclosures, lead enterprise-wide green teams and collaborates across all business units to develop and execute sustainability initiatives and goals; identifying priorities, defining goals and KPIs and reporting for accountability. The role will regularly brief senior management on environmental topics and performance.


The VP of Sustainability is an innovative, self-driven, strategic thinker who is comfortable developing, educating, evolving, and executing a company-wide sustainability program. The candidate will thrive in collaboration across internal teams and external stakeholders. Bringing passion to drive business as an impetus for good to solve some of the world's most pressing challenges, and to implement programs that inspire positive change for people and the planet.


This role will report to the Chief People Officer.


Essential Functions

  • This role will be responsible for driving our sustainability strategy, conceptualizing and developing the vision and strategy to drive the company’s corporate sustainability efforts
  • They will have the ability to represent our sustainability efforts internally and externally, uncover strategic opportunities, and deliver innovative solutions
  • Overall responsibility for the success and long-term vision of sustainability, as well as for integration and alignment of sustainability across key businesses and functions
  • Advise the Board of Directors and other internal stakeholders on priority sustainability issues and emerging topics
  • Responsible for environmental sustainability reporting strategy and related data collection needs
  • Develop and oversee implementation of an enterprise-wide integrated energy plan
  • Oversee a highly cross-functional team responsible for corporate sustainability commitments, reporting, internal and external partnerships, and investments in initiatives
  • Driver of the Virgin Galactic Climate Action Plan
  • Build and execute a forward-thinking corporate sustainability program that can be effectively implemented at all levels of the company; internally and externally communicated and aligned with virgin Galactic’s brand and sustainability values
  • Establish, monitor, and report sustainability performance goals and metrics
  • Facilitate sustainability cost savings, fund raising, and grant awards
  • Provide ongoing financial reporting on costs and benefits of all programs
  • Publish and communicate an organizational sustainability report, analyzing past successes, current efforts, and future focus areas for reducing environmental impact
  • Drive the coordination and development of the department's annual budget and quarterly forecasts
  • Establish close working relationships with business / functional leaders to develop an understanding of their local sustainability issues and needs
  • Provide sustainability education and training to stakeholders, as well as the broader communities in which we conduct business
  • Facilitate, support, motivate and recognize business units' sustainability efforts
  • Work with government affairs to influence environmental policies at the local and national level
  • Role model company values, culture, and ethical standards and hold teams to the same standard
  • Other duties as assigned


What you bring

  • Bachelor's degree in environmental studies or related subject (Advanced Degree preferred)
  • 10+ years' experience designing, implementing, and overseeing environmental or sustainability programs
  • Knowledge of environmental and climate related issues with a clear track record of successfully implementing sustainability strategies across businesses
  • Advanced knowledge and understanding of current sustainability trends and best practices
  • Strategically minded and commercially astute with a proven capacity to translate information and ideas into actionable plans
  • A credible industry thought leader experienced at engaging with and communicating to key internal and external stakeholders
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to interact with all employee levels, executives, government officials, guests, and others
  • Experience communicating to audiences with the willingness to represent the company’s interests at the highest levels
  • Exceptionally strong change management, proven communications skills, the ability to work in a team environment, strong relationship management, project management, organizational skills, and the ability to prioritize when competing needs exceed resources.
  • Skilled in examining and re-engineering processes, formulating policies, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures
  • Ability to facilitate groups and manage multiple priorities and projects
  • Excellent presentation skills, coaching skills, and ability to motivate others to achieve excellence at work.
  • Skill in quantitative data analysis, including technical and scientific data
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; advanced PowerPoint skills

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