Vice President - Ground Operations

Job Summary

• Provides leadership, direction, innovation and management to the Operational pillar of Ground Operations. Oversees the implementation of programs that support the department's pursuit of operational excellence and achieving performance goals in Ground Operations.

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

• Lead the Operational execution functions of Ground Operations
• Develop and drive department operational execution, shared department vision, alignment, and organizational objectives, with collaboration and input from other Ground Operation Vice President(s)
• Maintain direction and oversight over Ground Operations Execution pillar to support and enhance capabilities to the Frontline, and other internal and external customers throughout the enterprise
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with all internal and external Customers and departments to ensure Ground Operation's interests and activities are communicated, understood and performed in a collaborative manner
• Provides Leadership and direction to the Operational execution pillar as an active member of the department's Senior Leadership Committee which includes:
  • Departmental policy and procedure changes
  • Project and associated resources prioritization
  • Near and long-term department planning and alignment
  • Administers budgets, forecasts, plans, reports and evaluations
  • Succession planning
  • Early visibility of key corporate initiatives and their impact to Ground Operations
  • Collaboration across departmental functions
  • Focus on communication and change planning as part of project deployment
• Seeks out facts and constructively challenges the status quo by fostering creative ideas and new approaches
• Regularly provides Senior Leadership with business proposals
• Ensures Directors develop and monitor programs to achieve department goals
• Provides Leadership and focus on advancing Ground Ops annual objectives
• Ensures direct reports develop and execute business plans to maximize operational efficiencies, achieve department goals and sustain Southwest Airlines' position as an industry leader into the next decade
• Measures and reports departmental effectiveness to ensure quality and consistency throughout the system
• Provides Leadership to ensure tools are deployed to the Frontline that are necessary for growth (e.g., Planeside Scanning, Revenue/capacity Management, Booking, etc.)
• Responsibilities for ensuring ground handling operations are conducted in accordance with applicable regulations and standards, along with the management of safety and security risks
• Designated by the Accountable Executive as the Safety and Security Management representative for the Ground Operations Department
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders

• Expert knowledge of business processes and operational policies and procedures
• Skilled in communication, both oral and written, with the ability to communicate large and complex issues in a structured and concise manner
• Skilled in business case preparation
• Possess highly developed interpersonal skills, with a servant leader mentality
• Ability and initiative to understand business processes and work requirements
• Ability to properly manage highly sensitive and confidential information effectively
• Ability to assume high level responsibility and demonstrate sound judgement
• Ability to identify problems and opportunities and lead others through organized approaches to solutions

• Required: High School Diploma or GED

• Required:
  • Demonstrated experience leading multiple teams or functions through subordinate Leaders
  • Advanced level Business Acumen in functional area with understanding of broad business impacts
  • Expansive and far reaching knowledge in:
    • Operations processes and procedures
    • Driving strategic change
    • Financial and Business acumen
    • Staffing and resource management
    • Leading cross-functional programs and projects, with results that deliver efficiencies and improvements
    • Solving complex problems and influencing/partnering with multiple stakeholders

• 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
• Must meet confidentiality expectations as to confidential, proprietary and sensitive Company information
• Air travel with frequent overnight stays required
• Ability to work extended hours as needed