Senior Lead Counsel Labor Relations

Department:

Labor Relations

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:

The Senior Lead Counsel Labor Relations serves as the Company’s chief spokesperson in labor negotiations and leads high‑stakes bargaining efforts with Air Ops workgroups. In this role, they partner closely with Operations, Finance, and key internal stakeholders to shape enterprise labor strategy and deliver sophisticated legal and strategic counsel throughout the negotiation lifecycle. They will lead complex negotiations that have meaningful impacts on operations and costs; cultivate trusted, influential relationships with union and operational leadership; and ensure adherence to labor law, regulatory requirements, and contractual commitments. They will lead cross-functional negotiation teams and be expected to make presentations at the negotiation table and internally to Company Leaders and other stakeholders.  With a steady presence under pressure and a deep command of labor relations, the Senior Lead Counsel provides forward‑looking guidance that supports mutually beneficial labor agreements, strengthens labor partnerships, and advances Southwest’s long‑term success. 

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.   This role involves travel that may vary significantly, ranging from little to extensive travel, depending on business needs.

• U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the U.S. required and no current or future work authorization sponsorship available.   

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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

• Represent the Company as Chief Spokesperson in negotiations, utilizing novel labor relations strategies and legal frameworks that redefine the approach to collective bargaining
• Advise Company leadership on labor relations strategy, legal and operational risks, and compliance with government regulations and contractual obligations
• Lead transformative, enterprise‑wide negotiations for the Company’s most complex and high‑impact labor groups
• Identify and analyze Labor Relations and operational issues related to the collective bargaining agreement, draft key documents, present clear recommendations on complex issues to minimize company exposure to liability or to ensure compliance with governmental rules and regulations
• Ensure necessary retention and cataloging of labor relations records (e.g., collective bargaining agreements, negotiation notes, arbitration decisions, grievance settlements, court and administrative agency decisions.)
• Drive cross‑functional alignment across Legal, Labor Relations, Operations, HR, and senior leadership to execute transformative labor initiatives
• Serve as an integral partner in long-term labor strategy, anticipating regulatory, technological, and workforce shifts
• Influences industry direction through engagement with national labor organizations, regulators, and industry forums
• Ensure consistency in application of government regulated policies (e.g., FMLA & ADA) and contractual interpretation and practice
• Resolve unprecedented, enterprise‑critical labor disputes requiring creative legal interpretation and strategic innovation
• Mentor and develop senior legal and labor relations talent to strengthen enterprise labor capabilities
• Stay current on legal practices by performing extensive law research and analysis
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee’s Leaders

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process, including emerging labor trends with the ability to interpret and apply trends in novel or transformative ways
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language, including the meaning, spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar with the ability to craft complex legal arguments, negotiation frameworks, and strategic communications with clarity and precision
• Skilled in diagnosing complex, enterprise‑wide labor challenges, developing original strategic options, and implementing innovative, forward‑looking solutions
• Skilled in using analytical and critical reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
• Skilled in evaluating unconventional approaches, anticipating downstream implications, and shaping long-term outcomes
• Ability to navigate sensitive, high‑risk, and confidential legal matters, consistently demonstrating discretion, integrity, and ethical leadership under pressure
• Ability to build and sustain trusted relationships at the highest levels, inspiring credibility and influence across executives, union leadership, external stakeholders, and industry forums
• Ability to integrate legal judgment, business strategy, labor economics, and risk forecasting to guide enterprise direction
• Ability to clearly articulate complex legal and strategic concepts to executives, the Board, labor partners, and diverse internal audiences
• Ability to prioritize and execute in a dynamic, high‑stakes environment, managing concurrent enterprise initiatives and rapidly evolving labor issues

Education

• Required: High School Diploma or GED
• Required: Bachelor's Degree
• Required: Advanced Law Degree

Experience

• Innovator level experience, highest level of knowledge in:
  • Working as a licensed practicing attorney, preferably in a major law firm or in-house legal department with unionized workgroups
  • Negotiations, interpretation, and/or administration of collective bargaining agreements
  • Leading or working with contract workgroups
  • Background in RLA negotiations
  • Financial acumen or financial work experience
  • Labor Relations strategy

• Preferred: Advising and representing airline clients 

Licensing/Certification

• Required: Must be a current member in good standing of a bar association

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 Responsibilities

• 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 willing to travel when required (e.g., to support the Company’s airport development and other projects)
• Must be able to work flexible schedule to include non-business days and hours as needed to meet client needs

Pay & Benefits:

Competitive market salary from $253,060 per year to $274,140 per year* de-pending 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 401(k) retirement savings with Company

contributions up to 9.3% of your eligible earnings**

• Potential for annual ProfitSharing contribution in the Southwest Retirement

Savings Plan- when Southwest profits, you profit***

• Competitive health insurance for you and your eligible dependents (including

pets)

• Southwest offers health plan coverage options that start from the very first day of employment. You will have 30 days to select and enroll in your health plan with coverage retroactively available to your first day of employment.

• Explore more Benefits you’ll love: https://careers.southwestair.com/benefits

*Pay amount does not guarantee employment for any particular period of time.

**401(k) match contributions are subject to Retirement Savings Plan vesting schedule and applicable IRS limits

***ProfitSharing contributions are subject to 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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