The Planning Consultant plays a pivotal role in advancing the Planning and Development Team’s mission by driving strategic planning, coordinating key initiatives, and fostering alignment across Business Teams and Executive Leadership. This role facilitates effective stakeholder engagement through well-organized meetings, clear agendas, prepared materials, and actionable follow ups. The Consultant supports the development and maintenance of Network Planning tools and reports, contributes to executive and portfolio level communications, and monitors progress on critical initiatives. By leveraging strong project management, analytical, and strategic thinking skills, the Consultant delivers insight driven support that enhances network design, operational effectiveness, and cross functional collaboration, ultimately delivering measurable value across the organization.

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.

We’re committed to fair hiring practices and to making employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics. 

• Collaborate with Teams and Leaders from Commercial, Operational, Financial, and Technology functions to identify, define, and plan for strategic opportunities, challenges, and initiatives relating to network design
• Coordinate with Teams and Leaders to ensure streamlined and timely governance of department planning efforts and initiatives
• Coordinate communication and alignment within Network Planning and across Business Teams
• Assist with quality and timely presentation material for department updates with Senior Leaders, Executives, and the Board of Directors
• Function as a representative of Network Planning and make presentations to internal and external partners and functions
• Build the Team’s knowledge of network design, schedule development, and the operational impacts, and provide a view of the dependencies, issues, and risks
• Manage effectively through ambiguous and unstructured problems or situations, often needing to be resolved quickly; navigate easily between big picture thinking and management of relevant detail
• Navigate the complexities of diverse Teams and engagements
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee’s Leaders

• Skilled in communicating and influencing, capable of interacting directly and effectively with Senior and Executive Leadership Team
• Ability to produce results quickly and with minimal guidance; demonstrates a self-starter attitude to identify next steps and opportunities
• Ability to learn quickly, go the extra mile, navigate ambiguous problems, and approach work in a flexible way
• Ability to define, track, prioritize, and monitor multiple key cross-functional projects and efforts; report key measures and effectiveness to Executive Leaders and other Stakeholders
• Ability to assess cross-departmental business challenges, and create a streamlined approach towards a solution for short- and long-term needs
• Ability to provide guidance, clarification, and feedback to less experienced Team Members
• Ability to design, implement, and support cross-functional business-process improvements and associated technology solutions
• Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, and approaches to problems
• Ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns
• Ability to understand and apply information to contribute to the organization's strategic plan
• Ability to listen to, understand, and communicate ideas presented in writing and/or in speaking with others
• Ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense

• Required: High School Diploma or GED

• Advanced level experience, seasoned and specialized knowledge in:
  • Planning functions (cross-functional planning, operational planning, strategic planning, and/or financial planning)
  • Presenting to executive-level audiences

• N/A

• Ability to perform work duties from a limited-space work station, desk, or office area for extended periods of time
• Ability to communicate and interact with others in the English language to meet the demands of the job
• Ability to use a computer and other office productivity tools with sufficient speed and accuracy to meet the demands of the job

• Must maintain a well-groomed appearance per Company appearance standards as described in established guidelines
• Must be a U.S. citizen or have authorization to work in the United States as defined by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be able to comply with Company attendance standards as described in established guidelines

Pay & Benefits:

Competitive market salary from $105,550 per year to $117,300 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.

Benefits you’ll love:

•Fly for free, as a privilege, on any open seat on all Southwest flights (your eligible dependents too)

•Southwest will help fund your 401(k) retirement savings with Company contributions up to 9.3% of your eligible earnings

•Potential for annual ProfitSharing contribution in the Southwest Retirement Savings Plan- when Southwest profits, you profit

•Competitive health insurance for you and your eligible dependents (including pets)

•Southwest offers health plan coverage options that start from the very first day of employment. You will have 30 days to select and enroll in your health plan with coverage retroactively available to your first day of employment.

•Explore more Benefits you’ll love: https://careers.southwestair.com/benefits

Pay amount does not guarantee employment for any particular period of time.

401(k) match contributions are subject to Retirement Savings Plan vesting schedule and applicable IRS limits

ProfitSharing contributions are subject to Retirement Savings Plan vesting schedule and are made at the discretion of the Company.