Sr. Crew Optimization & Initiatives Consultant

swa; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwest Airlines is seeking a Senior Crew Optimization & Initiatives Consultant to lead high-impact initiatives in crew planning, network efficiency, and operational strategy. You will analyze future schedules, develop recommendations, and partner with operational and commercial teams to align strategy with results.

You will support enterprise initiatives, identify innovative solutions, and help implement key changes including new stations and scheduling enhancements while collaborating with

Qualifications

• Requires strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to drive operational improvements.
• Proven ability to manipulate and visualize data to support business decisions.
• Experience communicating complex findings to senior leaders and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Leads open-ended research that yields actionable recommendations with Network Planning and commercial teams.
• Counsels executives on long-term efficiency opportunities and Crew strategy.
• Owns and delivers network planning reviews to Crew Planning Leaders on proposed schedules.

Skills

Data visualization

Data manipulation

Executive communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Analytical thinking

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Alteryx

Think-cell

MS Excel

Tableau

SQL

PowerPoint

Job description

Department:

Crew Planning & Analytics

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:

Job Summary

Ready to help shape the future of Southwest's Crew operations? As a Senior Crew Optimization & Initiatives Consultant, you will lead high-impact initiatives focused on Crew planning, network efficiency, and operational strategy. You will analyze future flight schedules, develop recommendations that improve Pilot and Flight Attendant network performance, and partner across operational and commercial teams to align strategy, execution, and results. In this role, you will support enterprise initiatives, identify innovative solutions to complex business challenges, and help implement key operational changes, including new stations, scheduling enhancements, and strategic growth initiatives. Your work will directly influence the future of Crew Planning and help ensure Southwest's Crew networks are positioned to support the Company's evolving operational and commercial needs.

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

• Leads open-ended research that results in actionable recommendations in conjunction with Network Planning and commercial Teams on future initiatives to develop operationally viable, productive, and cost-efficient flight schedules with optimization tools
• Counsels the Vice President, Directors, and other Leaders in Crew Planning & Analytics on long-term efficiency opportunities and overall Crew strategy
• Owns and delivers formal Network Planning schedule reviews to Crew Planning Leaders on a recurring basis as proposed schedules are developed
• Creates strategies and business/operational insights from qualitative and quantitative information
• Structures complex problems and acts as a liaison between Crew Planning and other Company teams in response to Enterprise projects and future initiatives
• Creates value through identifying and implementing business improvements
• Develops long-range staffing plans for hiring, Captain Upgrades, base staffing, and vacation in conjunction with Crew Resource Planning teams
• Develops long-range Training resource plans for simulators, Instructors, Check Pilots, classrooms, and other flight training devices
• Manages cross-functional working teams
• Collaborates with Finance on measuring performance of Flight Schedules and recommends changes to minimize cost and/or improve operational performance
• Uses well-written presentations that are clear and convey key information, including business cases, roadmaps, and other materials that support ad-hoc initiatives
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Skilled in understanding and applying information that drives progress towards the organization's strategic plans
• Ability to identify complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions
• Ability to use optimization tools and interpret results
• Expert level ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems
• Ability to manage meeting cadences, independently drive work forward, and ensure delivery with cross-functional teams
• Advanced ability in manipulating and visualizing data to drive insights using tools such as Alteryx, think-cell, MS Excel, Tableau, SQL, etc.
• Expert skills in synthesizing information within PowerPoint presentations and delivering them to affected stakeholder and Senior Leaders
• Expert skills in effective communication and teamwork/collaboration through all mediums including in person, email, telephone, and hybrid environments
• Advanced skills in understanding Operational environments and have sufficient judgment to handle and resolve various situations

Education

Required: High School Diploma or GED

Experience

Expert level experience, expansive and far