Senior Federal Affairs Director

Southwest Airlines • Washington, DC

1d • $160,550 - $178,400 • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Federal Affairs Director supports Southwest Airlines’ Governmental Affairs Team and leads efforts to shape and advance the company’s federal policy priorities before Congress. The role independently develops and drives lobbying strategies, advises on emerging public policy issues, and takes ownership of key political relationships and initiatives. It partners across teams to align advocacy with Southwest’s business and operational priorities.

The position is based at Southwest’s Washington, D.C. facility. Evening work may be required as business needs dictate, and travel may be needed for trainings, meetings, conferences, and other business needs. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or currently authorized to work in the United States; work authorization sponsorship is unavailable.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Substantive legislative or policy experience working within or directly with the federal government, such as Congress or a federal agency, related to aviation or transportation.
• Familiarity with navigating federal agencies.
• Experience writing legislative and/or regulatory comments.
• Flexible, agile, and collaborative approach to working with colleagues in multiple locations while maintaining a consistent external company presence.
• Understanding of Southwest’s business strategy and commercial drivers, as well as relevant legislation, regulations, and their impacts.
• Strong interpersonal and advocacy skills, with excellent verbal and written communication and the ability to present information clearly and compellingly.
• Ability to lead multiple projects simultaneously in a busy, time-sensitive environment and deliver results with broad guidance.
• Self-starter able to work autonomously, prioritize effectively, and apply analytical problem-solving and planning skills.
• Ability to build effective working relationships and bring strong commitment to challenges that can enhance business success.
• 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 at least 18 years of age and be a U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the United States.
• Must comply with company appearance and attendance standards.
• Travel is required to support company goals and strategies.

Nice To Haves

• Experience advocating for organizational or industry priorities before Congress.
• Experience in the aviation industry or representing aviation-related interests.
• Demonstrated project management experience and strong organizational skills.
• Experience developing strategic plans and driving successful execution.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain direct relationships with Members of Congress, congressional staff, and key administration officials to advocate Southwest’s interests.
• Lead advocacy on federal legislative actions, including preparing memos, briefing papers, talking points, and draft legislation.
• Work directly with senior executives and business unit leaders to understand their priorities and develop and implement external engagement plans.
• Lead advocacy coalitions within Southwest and with external groups.
• Direct and oversee plans across the team, coordinating internal and external resources, including A4A, consultants, and other outside resources.
• Draft reports, briefings, letters, and testimony.
• Serve as liaison to the Southwest CEO’s office for Washington, D.C. trips or elected-official visits to company headquarters, including scheduling, preparing read-ahead materials, and providing in-person briefing support.
• Identify, monitor, and analyze new policy issues affecting the company and brief internal stakeholders as they arise.
• Represent Southwest externally at hearings, high-level policy meetings, industry functions, policy and advocacy associations, and community events.
• Synthesize information from internal subject-matter experts for departmental memos and for communication with and education of policymakers.
• Perform other job duties as directed by the employee’s leaders.

Benefits

• Free travel on any open seat on Southwest flights for the employee and eligible dependents.
• Company contributions to the Retirement Savings Plan of up to 9.3% of eligible earnings.
• Potential annual ProfitSharing contribution to the Southwest Retirement Savings Plan, at the company’s discretion.
• Competitive health insurance for the employee and eligible dependents, including pets, with coverage options beginning on the first day of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior