Senior Facilities Project Manager

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:

As a Senior Facilities Project Manager, you’ll lead the end-to-end delivery of capital and operational projects across the airports Southwest serves, with approximately 70% travel required to support on-site project execution. You’ll manage scope, schedule, cost, and risk while coordinating closely with airport authorities, internal stakeholders, vendors, and external partners to ensure alignment with operational requirements and regulatory expectations. Serving as the central point of accountability, you’ll balance business needs with facilities project execution in airport environments, guide project planning and strategy, and oversee procurement and construction activities, while ensuring strong governance, clear reporting, and consistent communication to deliver safe, compliant, and high-quality outcomes with minimal disruption to airport operations.

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. 
 

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and implement multiple large scale projects including, but not limited to assessing and validating Customer's requests; overseeing the bidding and procurement process; establishing objectives and timelines; developing, managing, and tracking project budgets; managing project scope; anticipating challenges and recommending strategic solutions; and preparing and presenting project reports to Executive Leadership

• Select and manage a project team by evaluating individuals training, background, knowledge, and skills, providing direction and guidance, making changes, when necessary, and communicating information in order to distinguish those who are capable of performing the work assigned to them

• Analyze and negotiate contract terms and conditions utilizing past experience with various contract styles, developing a strategy, and making recommendations in order to asses compliance with corporate policies and objectives and mitigate corporate risk

• Evaluate economy and efficiency of space utilization by anticipating potential changes in function, workflow, future plans for expansion, value engineering, and architectural guidelines in order to develop proposals for better utilization

• Direct the preparation of large scale and complex technical drawings to ensure customer needs are met, Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) standards are documented and implemented appropriately, and the budget is utilized efficiently

• Develop, maintain, and implement Company Design Standards, including Design Guidelines, Brand Guidelines, Architecture and Engineering Standards, Building Criteria, Specifications, and Technical Manuals

• Manage closeout requirements with the Customer, Architect, Subcontractors, and Suppliers by obtaining, reviewing, and submitting required certificates, creating operation and maintenance guides, reviewing punch list, and performing a final walk through in order to ensure all requirements have been met and gain Customer acceptance

• Build, drive, and manage the relationship between the construction team and airport officials by ensuring all airport policies are followed (e.g. hours of operation, badging), necessary permits have been requested and approved, and all airport criteria is implemented in the design in order to ensure compliance and open communication

• Serve as the Southwest representative on airport technical committees by assessing the impact of airport change initiatives to Southwest Operations in order to speak on behalf of the Company's best interests as they relate to the project schedule, scope, and operational challenges

• Provide coaching and mentoring to less senior project members on all aspects of project administration, facilitation, and process optimization

• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to develop, manage, and revise complex and large scale budgets

• Skilled in active learning to understand the implications of new information or concepts for both current and future problem-solving and decision making

• Ability to use logic or reasoning to identify the strengths and weakness of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems

• Ability to work effectively and efficiently under pressure while managing competing demands and tight deadlines

• Ability to build credibility with business leaders and navigate inter-organizational politics utilizing tact and diplomacy

• Ability to measure progress towards goals, anticipate changes, and react accordingly

• Ability to conceptualize and convey strategic vision

• Strong working knowledge of contract administration including types of contracts and enforcing contracts

• Knowledge of project value engineering

• Knowledge of construction management techniques

• Knowledge of building products, construction details and relevant rules, regulations and quality standards, and compliance regulations and standards

• Knowledge of constructability

Education

• Required: High School Diploma or GED

• Required: Bachelor's Degree

Experience

• Expert level experience, expansive and far reaching knowledge in:

  • Construction projects or equivalent knowledge and experience in the airline industry

  • Leading Teams in a similar environment

  • Microsoft Suite

• Preferred: Advanced level experience managing construction projects or equivalent experience in the airline/aviation industry

• Preferred: Experience using AutoCAD, Bluebeam, SketchUp and/or E-Builder

Licensing/Certification

• Must be able to obtain a SIDA (Secured Identification Display Area) badge and meet all local airport requirements

Physical Abilities

• Ability to perform work duties from limited space work station/desk/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

• Ability to travel up to 75%, including overnight stays

• Ability to work extended hours as needed, including some weekends and holidays

• Ability to be on call to respond to inquiries as needed

• Ability to work in construction environments while wearing personal protective equipment

Other Qualifications

• 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 $125,900 - $139,900* 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 Retirement Savings Plan with Company contributions up to 9.3% of your eligible earnings** 
• Potential for annual Profit Sharing 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.

Southwest Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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