Lead Counsel Labor Relations

Department:

Our Company Promise

We are committed to provide our Employees a stable work environment with equal opportunity for learning and personal growth. Creativity and innovation are encouraged for improving the effectiveness of Southwest Airlines. Above all, Employees will be provided the same concern, respect, and caring attitude within the organization that they are expected to share externally with every Southwest Customer.

Job Description:

The Lead Counsel Labor Relations will serve as the Company spokesperson and Lead Negotiation Teams with Air Ops work groups and partner closely with Operations, Finance, and internal stakeholders to guide strategy and provide advice and counsel regarding negotiations. They'llleadcomplexcontract negotiations,maintain strong relationships with union

Leaders and external partners, and ensure compliance with labor laws and contractual obligations. Through expert counsel, collaboration, and steady

Leadership under pressure, the Lead Counsel Labor Relations is excited to support meaningful agreements that strengthen labor relationships and contribute to Southwest's longterm success.

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 wouldbe required to work from our Dallas, TX headquarters facility during business hours. This role involves travel that may vary significantly, ranging from little to extensive travel, depending on business needs.

• U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the U.S.required and no current or future work authorization sponsorship available.

We'recommitted 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.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Company as first chair in negotiations and serve as a subject matter expert for multiple collective bargaining agreements
• Advise Company leadership on labor relations strategy, legal and operational risks, and compliance with government regulations and contractual obligations
• Identify and analyze Labor Relations and operational issues related to the collective bargaining agreement, draft key documents, present clear recommendations on complex issues to minimize company exposure to liability or to ensure compliance with governmental rules and regulations
• Ensure necessary retention and cataloging of labor relations records (e.g., collective bargaining agreements, negotiation notes, arbitration decisions, grievance settlements, court and administrative agency decisions.)
• Ensure consistency in application of government regulated policies (e.g., FMLA & ADA) and contractual interpretation and practice
• Provide guidance and training to internal teams on legal and labor relations matters
• Support implementation of contract negotiations to ensure procedural consistency and resolution for Labor Relations issues (i.e. contract and governmental requirements and interpretation)
• Stay current on legal practices by performing extensive law research and analysis
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders

Knowledge,

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar
• Skilled in identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions
• Skilled in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
• Ability and judgment to handle and resolve issues related to sensitive and confidential legal matters under pressure
• Ability to quickly build strong sustainable relationships, inspire credibility and confidence through interactions with all levels both within and outside of the Company, including a wide variety of internal and external community and business settings
• Ability to analyze problems and make decisions using sound judgement, integrity and commitment to ethical behavior
• Ability to maintain composure under pressure, communicate effectively in a flexible manner, both verbally and in writing, with executives and General Counsel Department staff, clients, union leaders, and others
• Ability to organize work, and prioritize effectively to meet specific deadlines and contractual time constraints
• Ability to use a computer keyboard and word processing applications with sufficient speed to meet demands of the job

Education

• Required:
  
  High School Diploma or GED
• Required:
  
  Bachelor's Degree
• Required:
  
  Advanced Law…