Director External Communications

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

• Education
• Required: High School Diploma or GED
• Experience
• Demonstrated experience in directly or indirectly leading team(s)
• Advanced level Business Acumen in functional area
• Seasoned and specialized knowledge in:
• Managing a communication, or emergency preparedness function, or related function
• Formally growing and mentoring talent, skills and abilities across a diverse team
• Licensing/Certification
• N/A

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