Senior Global HR Business Partner

Southwest Airlines • Dallas, TX

8d • $132,200 - $146,900 • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Global HR Business Partner shapes the People strategy and infrastructure supporting Southwest Airlines’ international office and global partnerships. The role serves as a trusted advisor to global and local Leaders, translating enterprise priorities into integrated workforce, talent, organizational, and Employee solutions while balancing Southwest standards with local market, cultural, and statutory requirements. Initially, the position will help stabilize and scale the Hyderabad Office, partnering with People Teams, Legal, Privacy, Finance, HR Technology, and local resources to address complex challenges and build sustainable capabilities. The role also establishes governance, playbooks, and scalable practices to guide Southwest’s evolving international presence, reduce risk, and strengthen the Employee and Leader experience.

Based at Southwest’s Dallas, Texas Headquarters facility, the position requires international travel and flexibility to work hours aligned with supported time zones, including early mornings, evenings, late nights, and weekends as business needs require. The role requires U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the United States; work authorization sponsorship is unavailable.

Requirements

• Expert-level experience and expansive, far-reaching knowledge in the stated areas.
• Demonstrated experience advising senior Leaders and leading complex cross-functional initiatives across multiple functions and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in HR strategy, transformation, consulting, operations, program management, organizational effectiveness, or related disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience supporting global and international Employees, Leaders, and business operations across multiple countries, cultures, or geographic markets.
• Knowledge of HR operating models and Employee lifecycle practices, including workforce planning, organizational design, talent and performance management, Total Rewards, Employee Relations, change management, and HR service delivery.
• Knowledge of international workforce considerations and the relationship between enterprise standards and local employment, statutory, data privacy, payroll, benefits, policy, and cultural requirements.
• Skill in developing trusted partnerships and influencing senior Leaders, functional stakeholders, and cross-cultural teams without direct authority.
• Skill in executive communication, facilitation, consulting, structured problem solving, conflict navigation, and risk management.
• Skill in leading complex cross-functional initiatives and translating ambiguous business needs into practical strategies, plans, governance, and measurable outcomes.
• Skill in using HR technology, workforce data, and qualitative insights to identify trends, evaluate options, and communicate decision-ready recommendations.
• Ability to balance enterprise and local requirements, manage competing priorities across geographies and time zones, exercise sound judgment, and adapt between strategic planning and hands-on delivery.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or have authorization to work in the United States; no current or future work authorization sponsorship is available.
• Must be at least 18 years of age and comply with Company attendance and appearance standards.
• Must be able to work effectively across cultures, geographies, and time zones.
• Must be able to travel domestically and internationally, including overnight stays, work varying schedules including early mornings and late evenings, and work extended hours.
• Must possess and maintain a current U.S. passport as required for international travel.
• Must be able to perform work duties from a limited-space workstation, desk, or office area for extended periods.
• Must communicate and interact with others in English and use a computer and other office productivity tools with sufficient speed and accuracy.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced experience as a Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP).
• Experience working within a large, complex organization with a global footprint.
• Experience supporting global teams and international business operations.
• Demonstrated project management experience, including cross-functional initiatives.
• GPHR (Global Professional in Human Resources) certification.
• Experience within the aviation industry in a Human Resources strategy function.
• Bachelor’s degree or professional certification in Human Resources, change management, program management, or a related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the People strategy for assigned international offices by understanding business objectives, workforce needs, operating realities, risks, and measures of success.
• Serve as a trusted strategic advisor and escalation point to global and local Leaders on organizational, workforce, talent, Employee, and change matters.
• Partner with local People Teams, HR Business Partners, Centers of Excellence, HR Technology, and business functions to deliver integrated People solutions aligned with Southwest standards and local requirements.
• Build and evolve scalable international HR operating practices, including governance, decision rights, service expectations, controls, escalation paths, and repeatable processes.
• Lead or partner on workforce planning, organizational design, restructuring, talent, performance, merit, calibration, succession, and capability initiatives.
• Lead complex cross-functional initiatives by aligning stakeholders on priorities, roles, risks, dependencies, and tradeoffs, and driving timely decisions through influence.
• Partner with Legal, Privacy, Finance, HR Technology, local Leaders, and external advisors to identify and address cross-border employment, data, payroll, benefits, policy, compliance, and operational risks.
• Support sustainable local ownership through knowledge transfer, documentation, transition planning, role clarity, and continued global functional guidance.
• Use workforce data, technology, and qualitative insights to identify trends, evaluate alternatives, measure outcomes, and provide decision-ready recommendations to Leaders.
• Lead continuous improvement and apply lessons learned to strengthen international HR capabilities, playbooks, integration practices, and approaches for future locations.
• May 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 in 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.
• Bonus opportunities for eligible Leadership and individual contributor roles, awarded at the Company’s discretion.

What This Job Offers

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