American Airlines

Director, Labor Relations - Flight

American Airlines • $150K — $180K *
Fort Worth, TX 76137In-Person
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in relevant studies or equivalent experience/training
  • 7 years of experience in Labor Relations or strategic leadership at an airline
  • Experience with collective bargaining agreements and negotiations
  • Previous involvement in arbitration, litigation, or government hearings as a company representative
  • Experience in early dispute resolution strategies
  • Willingness to travel as necessary

Responsibilities

  • Develop and maintain effective labor-management relationships with the APA
  • Establish strong partnerships with flight operations and business leaders
  • Ensure compliance with labor agreements and applicable laws
  • Lead efforts to resolve labor disputes and complex team matters
  • Serve as a trusted advisor on labor and employment matters
  • Deliver labor relations training for management effectiveness
  • Monitor labor relations law and industry trends
  • Oversee grievance administration and dispute resolution
  • Support collective bargaining initiatives and strategic labor planning
  • Drive continuous improvement in labor relations processes

Benefits

  • Travel perks for you and your family on a global network
  • Immediate health, dental, and vision benefits
  • Access to wellness programs for personal development
  • 401(k) program with employer contributions after one year
  • Member Assistance Program and discounts on various services
Full Job Description
9/25/26

Location: DFW Headquarters Building 8 (DFW-SV08)
Cities: Fort Worth - TX
Requisition ID: 88428

Job Description

Why you'll love this job

The Director, Labor Relations - Flight will support all aspects of the Company's labor relationship with the Allied Pilots Association (APA) and will be responsible for the implementation, administration, interpretation, and ongoing maintenance of the collective bargaining agreement covering American Airlines pilots. This role will also provide labor relations support for other represented and non-represented team member groups, as needed, and serve as a key partner to operational leadership on contract compliance, dispute resolution, negotiations, and labor strategy.

What you'll do

This list is intended to reflect the current job but there may be additional essential functions (and certainly non-essential job functions) that are not referenced. Management will modify the job or require other tasks be performed whenever it is deemed appropriate to do so, observing, of course, any legal obligations.

  • Develops and maintains a constructive and effective labor-management relationship with the APA, fostering open communication and collaborative problem-solving.
  • Establishes and maintains strong partnerships with Flight Operations and other senior business leaders to support operational objectives and labor relations strategies.
  • Ensures Company compliance with collective bargaining agreement provisions, applicable labor laws, and regulatory requirements; oversees the administration, interpretation, and application of pilot labor agreements.
  • Leads efforts to resolve labor disputes and complex team member relations matters, negotiating practical and sustainable solutions with union representatives and management.
  • Serves as a trusted advisor to leaders across multiple corporate departments, providing timely and strategic guidance on labor and employment matters.
  • Designs, develops, and delivers labor relations training and education programs to enhance management effectiveness and contract compliance.
  • Monitors developments in labor relations law, collective bargaining trends, arbitration decisions, and industry practices to identify risks and opportunities and inform business strategy.
  • Provides leadership, direction, and development to Labor Relations team members, ensuring high quality support and consistent application of labor relations policies and practices.
  • Oversees grievance administration and dispute resolution processes, including preparation for and participation in mediations, system boards, and arbitration proceedings.
  • Supports collective bargaining initiatives, contract negotiations, and strategic labor planning efforts, including the development of bargaining positions, analysis of proposals, and executive level reporting.
  • Drives continuous improvement in labor relations processes and outcomes.


All you'll need for success

Minimum Qualifications - Education & Prior Job Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in relevant studies, such as Industrial Relations, or equivalent experience/training
  • 7 years of experience in Labor Relations, or operational/strategic leadership at an airline
  • Previous collective bargaining agreement and negotiations experience
  • Experience as a company representative or System Board member during arbitration, litigation, and/or government hearings
  • Experience in early dispute resolution strategy
  • Ability and willingness to travel, as necessary


Preferred Qualifications - Education & Prior Job Experience
  • Advanced degree preferred, legal or labor-related degree a plus


Skills, Licenses, and Certifications
  • Demonstrates the highest standards of ethics and integrity
  • Ability to think strategically, negotiate skillfully, digest complex details, and use sound judgment and initiative in making decisions
  • Exceptional problem solving, analytical, and critical thinking ability
  • Ability to be highly collaborative, form consensus, build relationships, and work productively with a broad range of experienced professionals throughout the company
  • Ability to effectively advocate and communicate on behalf of American Airlines with all levels of external officials
  • Ability to build and facilitate long-term relationships at all levels, both internally and externally
  • Ability to delegate effectively and handle multiple responsibilities, manage available resources, make timely decisions, and understand the impact of those decisions on others
  • Ability to demonstrate time management, multi-tasking, and organizational skills
  • Ability to demonstrate flexibility and work a varied schedule
  • Ability and willingness to remain current with industry practices and developments
  • Mentoring and relationship building skills with ability to manage group and interpersonal conflict situations
  • Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills with ability to handle complex topics comfortably and to interact effectively with all levels and colleagues across internal departments, both verbally and written
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, changing, and complex environment
  • Excellent organizational and project management skills


What you'll get

Feel free to take advantage of all that American Airlines has to offer:

  • Travel Perks: Ready to explore the world? You, your family and your friends can reach 365 destinations on more than 6,800 daily flights across our global network.
  • Health Benefits: On day one, you'll have access to your health, dental, prescription and vision benefits to help you stay well. And that's just the start, we also offer virtual doctor visits, flexible spending accounts and more.
  • Wellness Programs: We want you to be the best version of yourself - that's why our wellness programs provide you with all the right tools, resources and support you need.
  • 401(k) Program: Available upon hire and, depending on the workgroup, employer contributions to your 401(k) program are available after one year.
  • Additional Benefits: Other great benefits include our Member Assistance Program, pet insurance and discounts on hotels, cars, cruises and more


About American Airlines

US Airways provides international and domestic air transport in the United States. It is owned by the American Airlines Group. US Airways utilizes a fleet of 343 mainline jet aircrafts, along with 278 regional jet and turbo-prop aircrafts operated by contract and subsidiary airlines under the name US Airways Express. It was originally established as All American Aviation.It operates an airline network with 193 destinations in 24 countries in North America, South America, Europe, and the Middle East. It also operates the US Airways Shuttle, a US Airways brand which provides hourly service between Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C.As of October 2013, US Airways employed 32,312 people worldwide and operated 3,028 daily flights.US Airways is a member of Oneworld, and it currently operates along with American Airlines as a result of a merge between the two holding companies of these airliners.US Airways was established in 1973. It operates hubs at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, Philadelphia Inte...

American Airlines Careers

Join the dynamic team at American Airlines, a leader in global aviation and an innovator in the airline industry. With a wide range of job opportunities, American Airlines is the perfect place to advance your career, offering roles that cater to a variety of skills and professional interests. Work You’ll Do At American Airlines, you will be part of a team that is dedicated to providing world-class service and shaping the future of travel. Our employees enjoy a culture of collaboration and respect, where diversity and inclusion are celebrated. With American Airlines, you can contribute to a legacy of innovation and leadership in the skies. Transform Your Career American Airlines is not just a company; it's a community where you can grow your career through a robust suite of professional development and diversity training programs. Our leadership is committed to nurturing talent and recognizes the value of each individual’s growth. Join a team that leads with integrity and a passion for progress. At American Airlines, your career trajectory is bolstered by our commitment to innovation and excellence in the aviation industry. Internship Opportunities Kickstart your career with an internship at American Airlines. Gain invaluable industry experience, build your resume, and make connections that will propel your professional life. Our internships offer hands-on experience in a variety of departments, helping you discover your path in the aviation industry. Benefits of Working With Us American Airlines places immense value on the well-being of its team members. Employees enjoy competitive benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance, employee discounts, and flexible spending accounts. More than just perks, our benefits are designed to support your life, both at work and at home. Explore Job Opportunities Whether you’re looking to enhance your career in engineering, customer service, or leadership, American Airlines has a position that will match your skills and passions. We are continuously hiring and looking for motivated individuals who are ready to take their careers to new heights. Stay Connected Join Our Team Search open positions that align with your skills and interests. We are looking for passionate, curious, and solution-driven team players. SEARCH AMERICAN AIRLINES JOBS Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. READ CAREERS BLOG Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at American Airlines.
Learn more about American Airlines
Size
123,400 employees
Market Cap
$8 billion
Industry
Aerospace & Defense
Net Income
-$8.8 billion
Founded
1930
5 Year Trend
-5.7%
Revenue
$17.3 billion
NASDAQ
AAL
* Ladders Estimates

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