MD Network Operations - HDQ

Southwest Airlines • Dallas, TX

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Managing Director Network Operations leads Southwest Airlines’ Network Operations Team, responsible for maintaining and recovering the network while ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient operations. The role sets strategic direction for aircraft routing, disruption management, and operational recovery, connecting long-term planning with real-time execution. It partners across Flight Operations, Dispatch, Ground Operations, Maintenance, Crew, and Customer-facing Teams to align priorities and balance Safety, reliability, Customer experience, and cost.

The Managing Director provides strategic leadership and oversight of Network Operations, including establishing and implementing policies, procedures, training programs, planning strategies, and performance expectations. The role develops a scalable advanced planning organization, strengthens operational resilience, improves irregular-operations management, ensures regulatory and company-policy compliance, develops leadership depth, and contributes to the Company’s Emergency Response Plan.

This position is based at Southwest Airlines’ Dallas, Texas headquarters and is required to work onsite during business hours. Extended hours may be required based on operational needs. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or authorized to work in the United States; work authorization sponsorship is unavailable.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Demonstrated experience directly or indirectly leading teams.
• Advanced-level business acumen in the functional area.
• Seasoned and specialized knowledge of operational planning and tactical daily operations.
• Knowledge of Company growth, federal regulations, and other factors that require changes in strategy and operational activities.
• Knowledge of TWU550 to ensure compliance with labor agreements.
• Skill in auditing Employee job performance for accuracy and compliance with Company policies and government regulations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Problem-solving, interpersonal, strategic, decision-making, and time-management skills.
• Ability to work well with others, collaborate as part of a team, and interact professionally with other departments, labor groups, and the public.
• Ability to handle complex issues in stressful situations and within regulatory constraints.
• Ability to prepare and present reports to large and small audiences.
• Ability to think strategically and understand the relationship between current actions and future consequences.
• Ability to perform work duties from a limited-space workstation, desk, or office area for extended periods.
• Ability to communicate and interact in English and use a computer and office productivity tools with sufficient speed and accuracy.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the United States.
• Must be at least 18 years of age and comply with Company attendance and appearance standards.
• Must be able to work extended hours based on operational needs.

Nice To Haves

• Experience running a complex airline operation, including long-range planning and day-of-operation execution.
• Understanding of network operations, operational control, schedule reliability, disruption management, and recovery planning.
• Experience leading large-scale operational disruption response, recovery efforts, and crisis events while maintaining a safe and reliable operation.
• Experience developing operational playbooks, procedures, and planning strategies that improve consistency, coordination, and execution.
• Experience establishing performance expectations, operational metrics, and accountability for results.
• Leadership experience across multiple operational functions in a complex environment.
• Experience leading organizational change, improving processes, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements, company policies, labor agreements, and other factors affecting airline operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of all aspects of Network Operations, including establishing, evolving, and implementing policies, procedures, and training programs for Chiefs of Network, Network Superintendents, and NOC Customer Planner Teams.
• Lead and align Chiefs of Network, Network Superintendents, and NOC Customer Planners to ensure operational excellence and consistent execution of advanced and tactical planning strategies.
• Build and mature a scalable advanced planning organization integrating key planning units across the operational spectrum.
• Develop and institutionalize playbooks for pre-operational advanced planning and day-of-operation tactical planning and execution.
• Champion collaboration with Flight Operations, Ground Operations, Dispatch, Maintenance, and other operational groups to support a resilient and reliable flight schedule.
• Improve irregular-operations management through proactive planning, communication protocols, and real-time customer support strategies.
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of trained personnel able to assume responsibilities during all phases of flight activity.
• Establish performance expectations and operational KPIs balancing reliability, cost efficiency, and Customer Service.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations, Dispatch and Network Operations standards, and company policies.
• Contribute to the Company’s Emergency Response Plan and support the integrity and adaptability of the flight schedule during crises.
• Guide and lead Team Members using Southwest talent management practices to coach, develop, and engage Employees.
• Foster a culture of inclusion, recognition, support, and safety, and invest in leadership and personal growth through continuous learning and development.
• Perform other job duties as directed by the Employee’s Leaders.

Benefits

• Free standby travel on any open seat on Southwest flights for the Employee and eligible dependents.
• Retirement Savings Plan with a dollar-for-dollar 401(k) Company match of up to 9.3% of eligible earnings, subject to plan terms and position.
• Potential annual profit-sharing contribution to the Southwest Retirement Savings Plan.
• Competitive health insurance for the Employee and eligible dependents, with coverage options starting from the first day of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: High school or GED