Sr Mgr Gr Ops Delivery - HDQ

Southwest Airlines Co.; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 161,000 - 178,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fly for free on open seats for you and

Retirement Savings Plan with 401(k) up

Job summary

Southwest Airlines is seeking a Senior Manager Ground Operations Delivery to lead critical operational and enterprise initiatives aimed at improving safety, performance, and customer experience. You will partner across Operations, Commercial, Technology, and other business teams to design, plan, and execute transformational programs that deliver measurable value.

The role requires strong leadership, change management, and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels, including executive

Qualifications

• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives across operations, commercial, and technology.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and manage change effectively.
• Strong leadership, communication, and team development skills.
• Knowledge of aviation industry metrics and performance indicators.
• Experience in project management and large-scale programs.

Responsibilities

• Enable cross-departmental initiatives by developing project plans and delivering capabilities in live ops.
• Build partnerships across commercial, operations, finance, and technology.
• Deliver regular updates to senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Identify risks and communicate mitigation and escalation plans.
• Organize cross-functional meetings and leadership briefings.
• Define complex project scopes, schedules, and budgets for multiple initiatives.

Skills

Aviation industry knowledge

Project management

Strategic leadership

Data visualization

Executive communication

Education

HighSchool Diploma or GED

Tools

Excel

Think-Cell

PowerPoint

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.

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

Ground Operations

Job Description

The Senior Manager Ground Operations Delivery supports Ground Operations by Leading a Team responsible for delivering critical operational and enterprise initiatives that advance Safety, performance, productivity, and Company objectives. They’ll partner across Operations, Commercial, Technology, and other business Teams to Lead the analysis, design, planning, and execution of transformational programs that enhance the frontline operation and Customer experience. They’ll drive cross‑functional alignment, remove barriers, and ensure strategic initiatives are successfully implemented and deliver measurable business value. The Senior Manager Ground Operations Delivery leverages strong Leadership, communication, and change management skills to influence Stakeholders, develop Team capabilities, and help shape the future of Ground Operations.

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.

Model the Southwest Way

• Guide and lead team members using SWA talent management practices to coach, develop, and engage employees
• Adhere to Company values and competencies to foster a culture of inclusion, recognition, and support of a safe work environment
• Invest in leadership and self-growth through participating in continuous learning and development

Responsibilities

• Enable major cross-departmental Operations and Commercial business initiatives by developing project plans, executing project management, and delivering capabilities in a live operational environment
• Build and maintain cross functional partnerships (i.e., commercial, operations, finance, and technology) to drive change and advance the Ground Ops agenda
• Coordinate and deliver cross-functional project updates and materials to Senior Leadership and other stakeholder groups
• Identify emerging project risks and determine appropriate groups for communication and awareness
• Develop mitigation plans and ensure that appropriate levels of Leadership are informed and in approval
• Organize, run, and deliver regular project updates and cross-functional meetings for varying levels of Leadership
• Define complex project plans for multiple simultaneous projects or for a single highly complex project including scope, schedule, and budget and execute tasks defined in the project to achieve project goals
• Build and maintain lean, highly skilled, and high-performing teams capable of delivering highly visible projects and initiatives
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee’s Leaders

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of the commercial aviation industry, including key industry operational performance metrics
• Knowledge of project management, software development, and phases of large-scale technology projects
• Skilled in strategic project and program leadership, driving enterprise-level transformation initiatives that align with long-term business objectives
• Skilled in leveraging data visualization and analytical tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Think-Cell) to inform executive decision-making
• Skilled in executive-level communication and storytelling to articulate complex initiatives and operational impacts clearly
• Ability to create and maintain ‘trusted advisor’ status with executive leadership
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of employees up to and including executive levels about complex issues in structured and concise manner
• Ability to effectively shape and influence large-scale cross-departmental initiatives
• Ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics across multiple departments and functions of the Company
• Ability to drive cross-functional alignment amongst all Leadership levels (Officer, Director, Manager)
• Ability to motivate, grow, and develop direct reports and cross functional teams

Education

• Required: High School Diploma or GED

Experience

• Demonstrated experience in directly or indirectly leading team(s)
• Fully functioning, broad knowledge in:
• Driving complex cross-functional initiatives and aligning stakeholders at all levels
• Developing strategies, plans, and decisions and communicating them to executive leadership
• Breaking down and solving ambiguous problems through quantitative and qualitative analysis
• Executive-level storytelling
• Project Management
• Airline Operations
• Consulting
• Preferred: Experience in management consulting

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 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

Pay & Benefits

Competitive market salary from $160,550 per year to $178,400 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: https://careers.southwestair.com/benefits
• 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.

Job Posting End Date

10/15/2026