Sr Regulatory Affairs Attorney

Southwest Airlines Co.; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwest Airlines Co. is seeking a Senior Regulatory Affairs Attorney to drive regulatory strategy and engagement with federal policymakers, including the FAA and TSA.

You will provide strategic legal counsel, translate complex regulatory issues into business solutions, and influence outcomes on mission-critical priorities. You will partner with leaders across the company, manage relationships with government attorneys, and lead work on key federal rulemakings while ensuring compliance with

Qualifications

• Must be a licensed attorney with aviation regulatory focus.
• Experience advising on federal aviation policy and regulatory developments.
• Bar membership preferred but not required for every candidate.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic regulatory counsel on aviation regulations and policy.
• Represent Southwest in administrative proceedings and with federal agencies.
• Develop advocacy strategies to advance regulatory priorities.
• Draft and file comments on proposed rules impacting aviation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional leaders to address regulatory risks.
• Monitor federal agency activity and anticipate government action.
• Build relationships with government attorneys and industry colleagues.

Skills

Aviation law

Regulatory strategy

Legal counsel

Policy advocacy

Stakeholder comms

Project management

Education

J.D. from accredited law school

Bar admission in good standing

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

Interested in helping drive Southwest's regulatory strategy and engagement with federal policymakers on the issues most critical to the future of aviation?? As a Senior Regulatory Affairs Attorney, you will lead the Company's engagement with the FAA, TSA, and other federal agencies, providing strategic legal counsel on aviation regulations, policy, and industry developments. You will partner with leaders across the business to identify regulatory risks and opportunities, develop advocacy strategies, and support initiatives that advance Southwest's operational, commercial, and strategic objectives. In this highly visible role, you will help translate complex regulatory issues into practical business solutions while influencing outcomes on some of the Company's most important priorities.

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. Due to the nature of this role, you would be required to work from our Washington D.C. 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

• Exhibits an expertise in aviation-related regulatory, legislative, administrative, and/or competition law, provides strategic regulatory counsel and guidance
• Represents the Company in administrative proceedings and investigations; coordinates and manages outside counsel in contested proceedings where necessary
• Develops and executes strategies to accomplish the Company's regulatory priorities
• Develops policy positions on federal regulatory issues for the Company and the industry
• Negotiates and advocates on behalf of the Company with federal agencies
• Assists other Departments within the Company by providing regulatory counsel and strategic advice on federal regulatory matters
• Monitors federal agency activity and anticipates government action
• Analyzes, researches, and summarizes regulatory and legal issues before federal agencies and briefs relevant leaders within Governmental Affairs and across the Company
• Leads Company work on specific federal rulemakings, including by executing pro-active government outreach prior to rulemakings, drafts and files individual Company comments, and/or negotiates, reviews, and influences trade association comments
• Builds relationships with government attorneys, career staff, political appointees, and industry colleagues to ensure Company priorities are accomplished
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proven legal expertise, experience, and abilities
• Willingness to gain additional expertise and perform work in new areas of the law
• Skilled in written and oral communication, ability to work effectively with all levels of Southwest Employees, Southwest executives, clients, outside counsel, vendors, and others
• Skilled in interpersonal relationships, ability to work well with others as part of a team
• Skilled in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems
• Skilled in identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions
• Skilled in considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one
• Possesses excellent organizational skills and performs effectively on multiple projects under tight deadlines
• Pro-actively leads and coordinates initiatives on Company priorities
• Ability to perform well under pressure
• Ability to exercise judgment sufficient to handle and resolve issues related to sensitive and confidential legal matters

Education

• Required: Law degree from accredited law school, as well as high academic standing

Experience

• Required: Advanced level experience as a licensed practicing attorney, with a practice focus on aviation-related regulatory and/or legislative matters.

Licensing/Certification

• Current member in good standing of one or more bar associations preferred

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 be located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and willing to travel when required (e.g., to Dallas headquarters for meetings/presentations and other projects)
• Must be able to work flexible schedule to include non-business days and hours as needed to meet client needs

Southwest Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer.