Responsibilities

• Lead and guide the External Communications Team, helping to set and support a clear strategy that aligns with the larger Company Strategy
• Ensure that the Team directly and proactively supports the needs of the Company at the highest levels to ensure it can achieve its multi-year objectives
• Guide and coach Team Members; provide positive examples of Leadership and guidance for Team Member growth, encouraging collaboration, bias for action, and integrity in all actions
• Identify and pursue new and existing opportunities to make a focused impact on the external narrative of Southwest through strategic thinking, proactive media outreach, and coordination with other Leaders
• Pursue best practices, industry knowledge, and business/economic knowledge to benefit the evolution of Southwest's efforts
• Set the strategy of the External Communications Team and ensure Team Members have clearly defined and focused areas of responsibility and that their efforts are aligned to the larger Company Strategy
• Provide Leadership and guidance for the External Team activities and programs: Preparedness Teams include Emergency Response (ER), and Business Continuity (BC); Preparedness accountability dotted line reports to the Emergency Director (via Sr Director Outreach & Preparedness)
• Collaborate with fellow Communications, Culture & Communications, and other Department Leaders to ensure appropriate actions are taken to promote our external narrative and protect our valuable brand reputation
• Foster cross-functional and cross-departmental collaboration to create holistic and cohesive planning that meets the needs of various audiences
• Ensure that the External Communications Team responds to media inquiries with a sense of urgency and professionalism, elevating significant opportunities and coverage to fellow Communication Leaders, the VP of Communications, and the SVP of Culture & Communications for awareness and context

Requirements

• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources
• Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods including alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media
• Skilled in understanding and applying information to contribute to the organization’s strategic plan
• Skilled in considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one
• Skilled in maintaining a positive working relationship with other departments and Leaders within Southwest
• Ability to listen, understand, and communicate ideas presented in writing and/or in speaking with others
• Ability to work well with others as part of a Team, communicate with the public, and effectively communicate in writing, by telephone or face-to-face
• Required: High School Diploma or GED
• Demonstrated experience in directly or indirectly leading team(s)
• Advanced level Business Acumen in functional area

Benefits

• 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.