Department:
Network PlanningOur 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:
The Manager Network Systems supports the Network Planning Team by setting the multi‑year vision, strategy, and roadmap for the systems and tools that enable schedule planning and network decision‑making. They’ll Lead the design, development, and delivery of technology solutions while providing subject matter expertise and analytical guidance to support evolving business needs and enhance product capabilities. They’ll partner closely with Network Planning, Operations Research, Research and Development, schedule production Teams, and external partners such as Amadeus SkySuite to ensure tools, data, and processes support an industry‑leading planning organization. The Manager Network Systems leverages strong Leadership, strategic thinking, and relationship‑building skills to develop Team capabilities, drive innovation, and deliver scalable solutions that support the future of Network Planning.
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.
- 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
- Build effective partnerships with departments across Southwest Airlines both within the Commercial as well as Operational sides of the business
- Collaborate across Teams and Department Leaders within Network Planning, staying up to date on Network Planning’s most current scheduling processes, priorities, and challenges, ensuring alignment with technology requirements, tool development, and implementation
- Understand complex schedule changes and how to apply these in the schedule suite of tools
- Identify evolving business needs, industry trends, and advancements in the field of Network Planning; drive the Department to adapt
- Lead prioritization of Network Planning technology requirements, and communicate to various Stakeholders, across Teams, departments and vendors, to align timelines and expectations
- Partner and manage relationship with outside software vendor in the development of various applications representing Network Planning interests
- Represent Network Planning internally to the organization, and represent Network Planning/Southwest Airlines at any external event, convention, conference, organization, or professional activity
- Provide effective communication of project status and assessment to senior leadership
- May perform other job duties as directed by Employee’s Leaders
- Demonstrated partnership with vendor product plan, negotiating, development, and deployment strategies.
- Ability to understand and apply information to contribute to the organization’s strategic plan
- Ability to identify complex problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions
- Ability to select and use training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things
- Ability to identify learning gaps and develop plans for success
- Ability to listen to, understand, and communicate ideas presented in writing and/or in speaking with others
- Ability to choose the right mathematical methods, formulas, and data to solve a problem
- Required: High School Diploma or GED
- Demonstrated experience in directly or indirectly leading team(s)
- Advanced level Business Acumen in functional area
- Seasoned and specialized knowledge in:
- Developing and delivering presentations to Senior Leadership to influence decision making
- Aviation industry
- Quantitative analysis from Finance, Revenue Management, Network Planning or Operational Research business areas
- Leading direct reporting and cross-functional teams through project life cycle to implementation
- Commercial and Operational performance metrics and targets within the transportation industry or aviation/logistic consulting
- Preferred: Experience with airline network scheduling systems, software development process, project management, business requirement gathering, and Software as a Service coordination
- N/A
- 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
- 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
Pay & Benefits:
- Competitive market salary from $138,800 per year to $154,200 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 Retirement Savings Plan 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.
Southwest Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Skills Required
- High School Diploma or GED
- Demonstrated experience leading teams (directly or indirectly)
- Advanced business acumen in relevant functional area
- Experience delivering presentations to senior leadership to influence decisions
- Seasoned knowledge of the aviation industry
- Quantitative analysis experience from Finance, Revenue Management, Network Planning, or Operations Research
- Experience leading cross-functional teams through project lifecycle to implementation
- Knowledge of commercial and operational performance metrics in transportation or aviation/logistic consulting
- Experience with airline network scheduling systems, software development processes, project management, business requirements gathering, and SaaS coordination
- Ability to partner with and manage outside software vendors and product plans
- Strong communication, problem solving, and analytical skills
Southwest Airlines Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Southwest Airlines and has not been reviewed or approved by Southwest Airlines.
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Pay Growth & Progression — Pay progression is described as materially improving after major 2024 union agreements, especially for pilots and flight attendants. Compensation satisfaction is framed as stronger over time as step scales and seniority accumulate.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support stands out through a dollar-for-dollar 401(k) match and the presence of profit-sharing contributions that can add to retirement savings. Stock purchase access is also positioned as an additional ownership-oriented component of total rewards.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellbeing and lifestyle value is elevated by extensive space-available travel privileges and broad travel-related discounts that can materially offset personal travel costs. Recognition mechanisms like points-based rewards are also positioned as an added lifestyle-oriented perk.
Southwest Airlines Insights
What We Do
At Southwest Airlines we connect People to what’s important in their lives—that also means connecting our Employees to what’s important in their lives! Our Employees value the opportunity to work hard, be creative, and have fun on the job. Southwest Airlines recognizes, respects, and values differences. By fostering a culture that embraces and utilizes our diversity, we create competitive advantages in teamwork and innovation that contribute to our overall success.
