Sr. Crew Optimization & Initiatives Consultant

Southwest Airlines Co.; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 126,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fly for free on Southwest flights

401(k) company match up to 9.3%

Health insurance

Profit-sharing opportunities

Career growth opportunities

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 flight schedules, develop recommendations to improve pilot and flight attendant networks, and collaborate across operations and commercial teams.

Based at our Dallas, TX headquarters, you will partner with leaders to drive enterprise-wide improvements, implement scheduling enhancements, and

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of airline networks and optimization tools.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and aligning stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to develop strategies, plans, and solutions for complex or ambiguous problems.
• Experience with data visualization and scheduling tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead open-ended research with Network Planning and Commercial Teams on future initiatives to develop viable flight schedules.
• Counsel senior leaders on long-term efficiency opportunities and crew strategy.
• Own and deliver Network Planning schedule reviews to Crew Planning Leaders.
• Create insights from qualitative and quantitative information to drive decisions.
• Collaborate across departments on Enterprise projects and initiatives.
• Develop long-range staffing and training resource plans as needed.

Skills

Optimization tools

Data visualization

Stakeholder management

Excel

PowerPoint

SQL

Communication

Analytics

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Alteryx

Tableau

MS Excel

think-cell

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 reaching knowledge in:
  • Airline networks and using complex optimization tools to design schedules
  • Complex cross-functional initiatives and aligning stakeholders at all levels
  • Developing strategies, plans, and solutions to address complex or ambiguous problems
  • Large operational environments and efficiency improvements
• Preferred: Experience with schedule optimization and planning software

• Preferred: Experience with Alteryx and Tableau
• Preferred: Experience translating complex data and insights into clear, compelling narratives that support business decisions and stakeholder understanding

Licensing/Certification

• N/A

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 meet confidentiality expectations as to confidential, proprietary and sensitive Company information
• Ability to work extended hours as needed

Pay & Benefits:

• Competitive market salary from $125,900.00 per year to $139,900.00 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 Retirement Savings Plan, which includes a dollar-for-dollar 401(k) Company match contribution of up to 9.3% of your eligible earnings**
• Potential for annual profit-sharing contribution in the Southwest Retirement Savings Plan—when Southwest profits, you profit***
• Competitive health insurance for you and your eligible dependents
• Southwest offers health plan coverage options that start from the very first day of employment. You'll have 30 days to select and enroll in your health plan, and coverage will be retroactively available to your first day of employment.
• Explore more benefits you’ll love: Benefits | Southwest Careers

*Pay amount doesn’t guarantee employment for any particular period.

**401(k) Company match contributions are subject to the plan’s vesting schedule. Match contributions may vary based on the position.

*** Profit-sharing contributions are subject to the 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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Job Posting End Date

10/26/2026