Senior Federal Affairs Director

swa; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwest Airlines seeks a Senior Federal Affairs Director to lead federal policy advocacy before Congress and regulatory agencies. You will shape lobbying strategies, advise senior executives, and nurture critical relationships with policymakers while aligning advocacy with business priorities.

The role requires Washington, D.C. work, potential evening hours, and travel for trainings and meetings. U.S. citizenship or work authorization is required, with no sponsorship available.

Qualifications

• Substantive legislative or policy experience with federal government, Congress or agencies affecting aviation/transportation.
• Ability to navigate federal agencies and briefing documents.
• Experience drafting legislative or regulatory comments.

Responsibilities

• Build direct relationships with Members of Congress and staff.
• Lead federal advocacy and draft memos, briefings, talking points, and draft legislation.
• Coordinate external engagement plans with senior leadership.
• Manage coalitions to support Southwest advocacy initiatives.
• Oversee cross-team plans and external resources for advocacy efforts.
• Draft reports, briefings, letters, and testimony.
• Support CEO office for trips to D.C. and official visits.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Public policy

Lobbying strategy

Policy analysis

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

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 Senior Federal Affairs Director supporting the Governmental Affairs Team, you'll take a lead role in shaping and advancing Southwest's federal policy priorities before Congress. You'll independently drive lobbying strategies, provide experienced guidance on emerging public policy issues, and take greater ownership of key political relationships and initiatives while partnering across Teams to ensure advocacy efforts align with Southwest's business and operational priorities.

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

• Responsible for building and holding direct relationships with Members of Congress, congressional staff, and key administration officials for the purpose of effectively advocating Southwest's interests
• Lead advocacy on Federal legislative actions, including preparing memos, briefing papers, talking points, and draft legislation
• Interact directly with senior executives/business unit leaders on their priorities, developing and implementing external engagement plans
• Lead coalitions within the Company and with external groups in support of Southwest advocacy.
• Direct and oversees plans across the Team, leveraging and coordinating internal and external resources through A4A, consultant management, and other outside resources
• Draft reports, briefings, letters, and testimony
• Serve as liaison to Southwest CEO's office for trips to D.C. or elected official visits to Company headquarters, including scheduling, creation of read-ahead materials, and in-person briefing support
• Identity, monitor, analyze, and brief Internal Stakeholders on new policy issues with Company impact as they arise
• Represent the Company externally at hearings, high level policy meetings, industry functions, policy/advocacy associations, and community events
• Synthesize internal SME information for departmental memos and/or communication and education of policy makers.
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's leaders

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Flexible, agile and works collaboratively with colleagues in multiple locations while understanding the importance of the company's single external face
• Understands Southwest business strategy & commercial drivers as well as specific legislation, regulations and impacts
• Strong interpersonal and advocacy skills, including the mastery to present information in a clear and compelling way through excellent verbal and written communication
• Adept at simultaneously leading multiple projects in a busy, time-sensitive environment and able to deliver results when given broad guidance on approach and method of work
• Self-starter with the ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy applying effective prioritization, analytical problem-solving and planning skills
• Builds effective working relationships with a high level of passion towards evolving challenges that will enhance the success of the business

Education

Required: Bachelor's Degree

Experience

• Innovator level experience, highest level of knowledge in : Substantive legislative or policy experience working within or directly with the federal government (i.e., Congress or a federal agency) related to aviation/transportation
• Familiarity with navigating federal agencies
• Writing legislative and/or regulatory comments
• Preferred: Experience advocating for organizational priorities 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 execution

Licensing/Certification

N/A

Physical Abilities

Ability to perform work duties from limited space workstation/desk/office area for extended periods of time
Ability to communicate and interact with others in the