Sr Lead Negotiator - HDQ

Southwest Airlines • Dallas, TX

5d

About The Position

The Sr Lead Negotiator partners with Labor Relations Leadership to establish negotiation strategy for multiple collective bargaining agreements. The role serves as first chair in union contract negotiations, helping ensure the goals and objectives of the Labor Relations Department and Southwest Airlines are carried out. It also works to foster excellent relationships with Union Leadership and serves as a liaison for frontline operational Employees.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Innovator-level experience and the highest level of knowledge in negotiations, interpretation, and/or administration of collective bargaining agreements.
• Innovator-level experience leading or working with contract workgroups.
• Ability to collaborate with and achieve actionable results through others.
• Skill in using logic and reasoning to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Ability to read, understand, and communicate language in multiple collective bargaining agreements.
• Ability to quickly build strong, sustainable relationships and interact with people at all levels inside and outside the Company.
• Ability to analyze problems and make decisions using sound judgment, integrity, and commitment to ethical behavior.
• Ability to inspire confidence and credibility among peers, Company Leadership, direct reports, and throughout Southwest Airlines.
• Ability to communicate flexibly and effectively to gain buy-in.
• Ability to organize work and prioritize effectively to meet deadlines and contractual time constraints.
• Ability to maintain composure and handle complex issues under pressure.
• Ability to represent Southwest Airlines and the Labor Relations function in a wide variety of internal and external community and business settings.
• Ability to perform work duties from a limited-space workstation, desk, or office area for extended periods.
• Ability to communicate and interact in English to meet the demands of the job.
• Ability to use a computer and other office productivity tools with sufficient speed and accuracy to meet job demands.
• Must maintain a well-groomed appearance in accordance with Company appearance standards.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the United States as defined by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must comply with Company attendance standards.
• Must be willing to travel when required, such as to support airport development and other projects.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including non-business days and hours, as needed to meet client needs.
• Must demonstrate and maintain an extremely high regard for confidential and sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Advise Company Leaders on Labor Relations negotiation strategy.
• Represent the Company as first chair in collective bargaining agreement negotiations and serve as a subject matter expert on multiple agreements.
• Support the development of executive-level presentations on negotiation priorities and communication plans.
• Serve as a liaison between client departments and other departments, including Legal, the People Department, and Finance, in handling Labor Relations matters.
• Provide guidance and training to Labor Relations Directors, Employees, and client departments.
• Ensure retention and cataloging of Labor Relations records, including collective bargaining agreements, negotiation notes, arbitration decisions, grievance settlements, and court and administrative agency decisions.
• Ensure consistency in the application of government-regulated policies, such as FMLA and ADA, and in contractual interpretation and practice.
• Support implementation of contract negotiations to ensure procedural consistency and resolution of Labor Relations issues, including contract and governmental requirements and interpretation.
• May perform other job duties as directed by 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, when Southwest profits.
• Competitive health insurance for the Employee and eligible dependents, including pets.
• Health plan coverage options beginning on the first day of employment, with 30 days to select and enroll and coverage retroactively available to the first day.

What This Job Offers

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