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Department: Labor Relations
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:
The Lead Counsel Labor Relations will serve as the Company spokesperson and Lead Negotiation Teams with Air Ops workgroups and partner closely with Operations, Finance, and internal stakeholders to guide strategy and provide advice and counsel regarding negotiations. They'll lead complex contract negotiations, maintain strong relationships with union Leaders and external partners, and ensure compliance with labor laws and contractual obligations. Through expert counsel, collaboration, and steady Leadership under pressure, the Lead Counsel Labor Relations is excited to support meaningful agreements that strengthen labor relationships and contribute to Southwest's longterm success.
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 wouldbe required to work from our Dallas, TX headquarters facility during business hours. This role involves travel that may vary significantly, ranging from little to extensive travel, depending on business needs. We'recommitted 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
- Represent the Company as first chair in negotiations and serve as a subject matter expert for multiple collective bargaining agreements
- Advise Company leadership on labor relations strategy, legal and operational risks, and compliance with government regulations and contractual obligations
- Identify and analyze Labor Relations and operational issues related to the collective bargaining agreement, draft key documents, present clear recommendations on complex issues to minimize company exposure to liability or to ensure compliance with governmental rules and regulations
- 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
- Provide guidance and training to internal teams on legal and labor relations matters
- Support implementation of contract negotiations to ensure procedural consistency and resolution for Labor Relations issues (i.e. contract and governmental requirements and interpretation)
- Stay current on legal practices by performing extensive law research and analysis
- May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process
- Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar
- Skilled in identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions
- Skilled in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
- Ability and judgment to handle and resolve issues related to sensitive and confidential legal matters under pressure
- Ability to quickly build strong sustainable relationships, inspire credibility and confidence through interactions with all levels both within and outside of the Company, including a wide variety of internal and external community and business settings
- Ability to analyze problems and make decisions using sound judgement, integrity and commitment to ethical behavior
- Ability to maintain composure under pressure, communicate effectively in a flexible manner, both verbally and in writing, with executives and General Counsel Department staff, clients, union leaders, and others
- Ability to organize work, and prioritize effectively to meet specific deadlines and contractual time constraints
- Ability to use a computer keyboard and word processing applications with sufficient speed to meet demands of the job
Education
- Required: High School Diploma or GED
- Required: Bachelor's Degree
- Required: Advanced Law Degree from accredited school
Experience
- Expert level experience, expansive and far-reaching knowledge in:
- Work as a licensed practicing attorney, preferably in a major law firm or in-house legal department with unionized workgroups
- Negotiations, interpretation, and/or administration of collective bargaining agreements
- Leading or working with contract workgroups
- Preferred: Background in RLA negotiations, specifically crew negotiations
- Preferred: Financial acumen or financial work experience
Licensing/Certification
- Required: Must be a current member in good standing of a bar association
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
Pay & Benefits: Competitive market salary from $231,000.00 per year to $250,440.00 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 Southwest Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Southwest Airlines
401(k)
Feb 16, 2026