USA – Southwest Airlines is recruiting for a Director of Flight Operations – Future Crew Planning. See the job description below;
“As Director of Flight Operations Future Crew Planning, you’ll lead the strategic development of medium- and long-range plans that ensure our Pilot workforce and training resources are aligned with Southwest’s operational and growth goals. You’ll oversee Crew Scheduling strategies, staffing forecasts, and training center allocation – all months in advance of operations, while also conducting efficiency studies that support network design, Crew recovery, and Labor Relations. Acting as a key liaison between the company and the union, you’ll help shape work rules and resolve planning-related challenges. This role plays a vital part in connecting Flight Operations to the broader success of Southwest Airlines—ensuring our flights are reliably staffed, our Pilots are well-supported, and our operation is ready for the future.
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.
Responsibilities
- Collaborates with Network Planning and the Commercial Teams on future initiatives and development of operationally viable flight schedules
- Leads and develops the Manager Crew Resource Planning and Intermediate Crew Planning team for efficient allocation of Pilot and Training Center resources and crew schedules that comply with all FAR regulations, contractual rules, scheduling policy, and Pilot quality criteria
- Acts as a supporting member to Labor Relations including being on the Company Negotiating Teams responsible for negotiating the Pilot contract and negotiates changes to the contract in areas regarding Training, Crew Scheduling, and Crew Planning
- Acts as a liaison between the Company and Union for Crew Planning related matters, directs research, and represents the Company in resolution of contractual and procedural questions or disputes
- Identifies deficiencies with current practices and develops working plans to correct deficiencies
- Oversees the development of schedule construction for 3-9 months out from operation and sets schedule construction and optimization strategy
- Oversees staffing plans for hiring, Captain upgrades, base staffing, and vacation. Includes all supporting research and documentation
- Oversees the development of Training resource plans for simulators, instructors, check Pilots, classrooms, and other flight training devices
- Partners with Ops. Performance and Finance on company-wide programs, costing, and other ad-hoc projects
- Acts as the direct Leader over Crew Research & Design Initiatives
- Drives constant improvement in the Crew Staffing process including the exploration of new metrics and the development of new models
- Represents the Crew Planning Team at all levels of the organization and fulfills information requests from other departments
- May perform other job duties as directed by Employee’s Leaders
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to work well with others as part of a Team
- Ability to work closely with the Crew Planning and Training Scheduling Teams to identify planning variances and issues
- Ability to coordinate with Flight Ops Training Leadership to determine future training resource needs
- Skilled in comprehension of written documents including federal regulations, labor contracts, and company material
- Ability to follow written and verbal instructions; learn, understand and follow office policies and procedures
- Skilled in the creation and conduction of Crew Staffing and Training presentations to Executive Leadership, Union, and other groups
- Skilled in using judgment sufficient to handle and resolve complex tasks including many situations that involve conflict resolution
- Knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Business Intelligence tools, databases, and optimization tools
- Knowledge of SQL
- Ability to negotiate complex work rules and manage conflict effectively in an expert manner
Education
- Required: High School Diploma or GED
Experience
- Demonstrated experience in directly or indirectly leading team(s)
- Advanced level Business Acumen in functional area
- Seasoned and specialized knowledge in:
- Advanced analytics that includes spreadsheet design
- SQL
- Data visualization experience
- Labor Relations and Contract Negotiation
- Crew Resource Planning
- Crew Planning or similar airline network planning experience
- Airline Optimization programs
Licensing/Certification
- N/A
Pay & Benefits:
Competitive market salary from $180,350 per year to $200,400 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.”
For more information on the role and to apply navigate here.
Source: Southwest Airlines