Department:Labor Relations
Job Description:As the Sr Lead Negotiator supporting Ground Operations and Technical Operations, you'll serve as Southwest's leading spokesperson and first chair in union negotiations for frontline workgroups that keep the airline moving every day. You'll lead a negotiation team of 5-10 and manage collective bargaining agreements across four unions and six workgroups, including Ground, Customer Services, and Mechanic Teams. Partnering closely with Labor Relations Leadership, you'll set negotiation strategy, guide bargaining from planning through agreement, and support contract implementation to ensure commitments are clearly understood and executed. With a steady, trusted presence at the bargaining table, you'll build strong relationships with Union leadership, advise Company Leaders, and navigate complex operational, financial, and regulatory considerations-helping drive durable labor agreements that support Southwest's People, frontline operations, and long-term success.
Additional Details
- The culture of Southwest Airlines means we value the camaraderie, collaboration, and innovation that occurs when we come together and interact face-to-face at our vibrant Corporate Campus. Due to the nature of this role, you would be required to work from our Dallas, TX Headquarters facility during business hours.
- U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the U.S. required and no current or future work authorization sponsorship available.
Responsibilities
- Advise Company Leaders in the area of Labor Relations negotiation strategy
- Represent the Company as first chair in negotiations of collective bargaining agreements, while serving as a subject matter expert on multiple collective bargaining agreements
- Support the development of executive level presentations on negotiation priorities and communication plans
- Serve as liaison between client departments and other departments (e.g., Legal, People Department, Finance) in handling of labor relations matters
- Provide guidance and training to Labor Relations Directors, Employees, and client departments
- Ensure necessary retention and cataloging of labor relations records (e.g., collective bargaining agreements, negotiation notes, arbitration decisions, grievance settlements, court and administrative agency decisions.)
- Ensure consistency in application of government regulated policies (e.g., FMLA & ADA) and contractual interpretation and practice
- Support implementation of contract negotiations to ensure procedural consistency and resolution for Labor Relations issues (i.e. contract and governmental requirements and interpretation)
- May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to collaborate with and achieve actionable results through others
- Skilled in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems
- Ability to read, understand, and communicate verbiage within multiple collective bargaining agreements
- Ability to quickly build strong sustainable relationships and interact with all levels both within and outside of the Company
- Ability to analyze problems and make decisions using sound judgement, integrity and commitment to ethical behavior
- Ability to inspire confidence and credibility among peers, Company Leadership, direct reports, and throughout Southwest Airlines
- Ability to communicate in a flexible, effective manner in order to gain buy-in
- Ability to organize work, and prioritize effectively to meet specific deadlines and contractual time constraints
- Ability to maintain composure and handle complex issues under pressure
- Ability to represent Southwest Airlines and the Labor Relations function in a wide variety of internal and external community and business settings
Education
- Required: High School Diploma or GED
Experience
- Innovator level experience, highest level of knowledge in:
- Negotiations, interpretation, and/or administration of collective bargaining agreements
- Leading or working with contract workgroups
- Preferred: Experience leading negotiations with union(s)
- Preferred: Experience in the aviation industry
- Preferred Experience in Labor Relations
Physical Abilities
- Ability to perform work duties from [limited space work station/desk/office area] for extended periods of time
- Ability to communicate and interact with others in the English language to meet the demands of the job
- Ability to use a computer and other office productivity tools with sufficient speed and accuracy to meet the demands of the job
Other Qualifications
- Must maintain a well-groomed appearance per Company appearance standards as described in established guidelines
- Must be a U.S. citizen or have authorization to work in the United States as defined by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must be able to comply with Company attendance standards as described in established guidelines
- Must be willing to travel when required (e.g., to support the Company's airport development and other projects)
- Must be able to work flexible schedule to include non-business days and hours as needed to meet client needs
- Must demonstrate and maintain an extremely high regard for confidential and sensitive information
Pay & Benefits- Competitive market salary from $177,050 per year to $196,700 per year* depending on qualifications and experience. For eligible Leadership and individual contributor roles, additional bonus opportunities are available and awarded at the discretion of the company.
Benefits you'll love- Fly for free, as a privilege, on any open seat on all Southwest flights (your eligible dependents too)
- Southwest will help fund your 401(k) retirement savings with Company contributions up to 9.3% of your eligible earnings**
- Potential for annual ProfitSharing contribution in the Southwest Retirement Savings Plan- when Southwest profits, you profit***
- Competitive health insurance for you and your eligible dependents (including pets)
- Southwest offers health plan coverage options that start from the very first day of employment. You will have 30 days to select and enroll in your health plan with coverage retroactively available to your first day of employment.
- Explore more Benefits you'll love: https://careers.southwestair.com/benefits
*Pay amount does not guarantee employment for any particular period of time.
**401(k) match contributions are subject to Retirement Savings Plan vesting schedule and applicable IRS limits
***ProfitSharing contributions are subject to Retirement Savings Plan vesting
schedule and are made at the discretion of the Company.
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