Director Flight Operations Future Crew Planning

Department:

Crew Planning & Analytics

Our Company Promise

We are committed to provide our Employees a stable work environment with equal opportunity for learning and personal growth. Creativity and innovation are encouraged for improving the effectiveness of Southwest Airlines. Above all, Employees will be provided the same concern, respect, and caring attitude within the organization that they are expected to share externally with every Southwest Customer.

Job Description:

As Director of Flight Operations Future Crew Planning, you’ll lead the strategic development of medium- and long-range plans that ensure our Pilot workforce and training resources are aligned with Southwest’s operational and growth goals. You’ll oversee Crew Scheduling strategies, staffing forecasts, and training center allocation - all months in advance of operations, while also conducting efficiency studies that support network design, Crew recovery, and Labor Relations. Acting as a key liaison between the company and the union, you’ll help shape work rules and resolve planning-related challenges. This role plays a vital part in connecting Flight Operations to the broader success of Southwest Airlines—ensuring our flights are reliably staffed, our Pilots are well-supported, and our operation is ready for the future.

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.

We’re committed to fair hiring practices and to making employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics. 

Model the Southwest Way

• Guide and lead team members using SWA talent management practices to coach, develop, and engage employees
• Adhere to Company values and competencies to foster a culture of inclusion, recognition, and support of a safe work environment
• Invest in leadership and self-growth through participating in continuous learning and development

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with Network Planning and the Commercial Teams on future initiatives and development of operationally viable flight schedules
• Leads and develops the Manager Crew Resource Planning and Intermediate Crew Planning team for efficient allocation of Pilot and Training Center resources and crew schedules that comply with all FAR regulations, contractual rules, scheduling policy, and Pilot quality criteria
• Acts as a supporting member to Labor Relations including being on the Company Negotiating Teams responsible for negotiating the Pilot contract and negotiates changes to the contract in areas regarding Training, Crew Scheduling, and Crew Planning
• Acts as a liaison between the Company and Union for Crew Planning related matters, directs research, and represents the Company in resolution of contractual and procedural questions or disputes
• Identifies deficiencies with current practices and develops working plans to correct deficiencies
• Oversees the development of schedule construction for 3-9 months out from operation and sets schedule construction and optimization strategy
• Oversees staffing plans for hiring, Captain upgrades, base staffing, and vacation. Includes all supporting research and documentation
• Oversees the development of Training resource plans for simulators, instructors, check Pilots, classrooms, and other flight training devices
• Partners with Ops. Performance and Finance on company-wide programs, costing, and other ad-hoc projects
• Acts as the direct Leader over Crew Research & Design Initiatives
• Drives constant improvement in the Crew Staffing process including the exploration of new metrics and the development of new models
• Represents the Crew Planning Team at all levels of the organization and fulfills information requests from other departments
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee’s Leaders

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work well with others as part of a Team
• Ability to work closely with the Crew Planning and Training Scheduling Teams to identify planning variances and issues
• Ability to coordinate with Flight Ops Training Leadership to determine future training resource needs
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