Department:
Network Planning & Ops ControlOur 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:
Job Summary
Ready to help shape the future of Southwest’s airline partnership strategy? As a Senior Partnership Management Consultant, you will serve as a subject matter expert and trusted advisor on airline partnerships, providing strategic guidance that supports Southwest’s long-term growth and transformation goals. You will lead the evaluation, development, and execution of complex partnership opportunities, influencing decisions related to new carrier agreements, expanded cooperation models, and international growth initiatives. Working across internal and external stakeholders, you will help strengthen existing partner relationships, identify new opportunities to enhance network connectivity, and drive initiatives that create value for Customers, Employees, and the business. Your expertise will play a key role in expanding Southwest’s global reach, generating new revenue streams, and advancing the next evolution of our airline partnerships portfolio.
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.
Responsibilities
Implement and execute Southwest’s airline partnerships strategy by ensuring that the required technology and operational requirements are in place for a successful launch of an agreement with another airline
Build relationships across Southwest’s Commercial, Operations and Technology Teams to ensure ease of execution of agreements and manage ongoing agreements
Report out to senior leadership on progress being made with internal development of work and updates on negotiations and conversations with partner carriers
Assist in setting and aligning Southwest’s direction and goals with partner carriers and provides internal guidance and input to achieve successful contract negotiations
Negotiate agreements with other airlines that align to Southwest’s Commercial goals
Analyze the performance of airline partnership contracts and updates Southwest’s Leadership and Southwest Airlines Pilots Association on a monthly basis
Represent Southwest in meetings at industry conventions and negotiates on behalf of Southwest with other airlines
May perform other job duties as directed by Employee’s Leaders
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of Airline Partnerships, Alliances and the ever changing competitive dynamic of the airline industry with a particular focus on alliances and partnership structures
Skilled in influencing and negotiations
Skilled in presentation at all levels
Ability to communicate analytic results to senior executives
Ability to handle complex situations and multiple responsibilities simultaneously mixing long term projects with the urgency of immediate demands on the operations
Ability to collaborate with and achieve actionable results through others, build strong and sustainable relationships and interact within all levels of the organization
Ability to identify complex problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions
Education
Required: High School Diploma or GED
Experience
Expert level experience, expansive and far-reaching knowledge in:
Managing business partnerships
Airline Industry
Preferred: Experience with airline partnerships, including interline and/or codeshare agreements
Preferred: Experience in contract and commercial negotiations
Preferred: Experience working cross-functionally with diverse stakeholder groups
Licensing/Certification
N/A
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
Ability to travel and work extended hours as needed
Pay & Benefits
Competitive market salary from $132,200 - $146,900 per year* depending on qualifications and experience, with opportunity for future pay increases based on performance and market movement. 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 doesn’t guarantee employment for any particular period of time
**401(k) match contributions are subject to the plan’s vesting schedule and applicable IRS limits
***ProfitSharing contributions are subject to plan’s 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
- U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the U.S.; no sponsorship available
- Expert-level experience managing business partnerships
- Expert-level experience in the airline industry
- Skilled in influencing and negotiations
- Skilled in presentation at all levels
- Ability to communicate analytic results to senior executives
- Ability to handle complex situations and multiple responsibilities simultaneously
- Ability to collaborate across functions and build strong relationships
- Ability to identify complex problems, evaluate options, and implement solutions
- Ability to use a computer and office productivity tools with sufficient speed and accuracy
- Ability to perform work duties from a limited space workstation/desk for extended periods
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Ability to travel and work extended hours as needed
- Maintain a well-groomed appearance per Company appearance standards
- Experience with airline partnerships, including interline and/or codeshare agreements
- Experience in contract and commercial negotiations
- Experience working cross-functionally with diverse stakeholder groups
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.
