Federal Affairs Director

Southwest Airlines; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 146,000 - 162,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fly for free for you and eligible deps

401(k) match contributions

ProfitSharing opportunities

Competitive health insurance

Job summary

Southwest Airlines Co. seeks a Federal Affairs Director to advocate for the Company before Congress and shape strategies within Governmental Affairs in Washington, D.C.

You’ll manage key political relationships, monitor regulatory developments, and collaborate with teams to evaluate impacts on Southwest’s operations. The role requires deep knowledge of federal legislation, strong research and writing skills, and the ability to work with internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Expert level experience in federal government legislative or policy work.
• Aviation/transportation experience is a plus.
• Experience advocating for priorities before Congress.
• Strong research and writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide thought leadership on legislative and regulatory priorities for Southwest.
• Advocate for Company positions with policymakers in Congress and agencies.
• Represent the Company at congressional meetings and with federal agencies.
• Educate internal stakeholders about governmental issues and policy impacts.
• Understand the business model and industry dynamics to inform strategy.
• Monitor legislation and industry news affecting the Governmental Affairs dept.
• Build and maintain external networks with government, business, labor, and nonprofit entities.
• Prepare research, memos, letters, and draft legislation as needed.
• Assist with compliance reporting for political activities.
• Coordinate GA-related meetings for senior leaders visiting Washington, DC.

Skills

Federal legislative processes

Regulatory processes

Communication

Research skills

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Word processing

Job description

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.

Department

Governmental Affairs

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 a Federal Affairs Director supporting the Governmental Affairs Team, you’ll advocate for Southwest’s interests before Congress while helping shape and execute strategies that support the Company’s priorities. You’ll manage key political relationships within an assigned portfolio, monitor legislative and regulatory developments, and collaborate across Teams to evaluate potential impacts to Southwest’s business and operations.

Additional Details

• Due to the nature of this role, you’ll be required to work from our Washington, D.C. facility and may need to work evenings as business needs require. This role may also require travel for trainings, meetings, conferences, and other business needs.
• 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

• Provide thought leadership on legislative and regulatory priorities, strategy, and execution plans that are in the best interest of Southwest
• Advocate for and advance the Company's positions on policy priorities through effective communication (verbal and written) with policymakers in Congress and various federal agencies
• Represent the Company at congressional meetings, federal agencies, political events, etc.
• Proactively educate internal Southwest Customers about issues being addressed by the GA department
• Understand Southwest operational and business model, commercial priorities, as well as the dynamics of the larger airline industry through regular interactions with other Southwest departments
• Monitor and assess potential impacts on Southwest business model and route structure being considered by federal policymakers.
• Initiate and maintain a network of individuals outside of Southwest and who work for government, business, labor, and nonprofit entities to support the Company's priorities.
• Conduct research, analysis, and writing assignments (e.g., memoranda, letters and legislation) on governmental and political issues important to the Company.
• Assist with compliance reporting related to lobbyist, tax, or financial reports for political activities.
• Coordinate GA-related meetings for Southwest leaders visiting Washington, DC.
• Collaborate with Southwest's internal departments on outreach activities with policymakers in Congress and various federal agencies.
• Monitor and summarize legislation and industry news relevant to the GA department.
• Attend and provide reports on hearings, meetings, and strategy sessions that are pertinent to the department.
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's leaders.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge and expertise in federal legislative and regulatory processes within the federal government
• Passion for federal legislative and regulatory issues with a keen interest in the diverse federal legislative and regulatory matters affecting both the Company and the airline industry is essential
• Familiarity and alignment with Company goals, commercial objectives, and a desire to actively contribute to the formulation and execution of government-related programs and tactics to achieve Company goals
• Possess exceptional research skills and efficiently manage multiple projects under tight deadlines
• Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills, who is able to work harmoniously within internal and external teams to enhance Southwest's reputation with governmental leaders, legislative and regulatory bodies, and the communities served by Southwest
• Proficient in PC applications with strong PC skills, including proficiency in word processing applications
• Ability to perform under pressure with a proven track record of performing effectively in high-pressure situations
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential issues with discretion
• Strong Interpersonal skills, including excellent verbal and written communication

Education

• Required: Bachelor's Degree

Experience

• Expert level experience, expansive and far reaching knowledge in:
• Legislative or policy experience working within or directly with the federal government (i.e., Congress and/or a federal agency)
• Aviation/transportation
• Preferred: Experience advocating for organizational or industry priorities before Congress
• Preferred: Experience within the aviation industry or representing aviation-related interests
• Preferred: Demonstrated project management experience with strong organizational skills
• Preferred: Experience developing strategic plans and driving successful executionPreferred: Experience drafting legislative text and/or committee report language

Licensing/Certification

• N/A

Physical Abilities

• Ability to perform work duties from a desk and office environment 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
• Travel required to support Company goals and strategies

Pay & Benefits

• Competitive market salary from $145,600 per year to $161,800 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: Benefits | Southwest Careers
• 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.

Job Posting End Date

11/10/2026