Manager Employee Relations

Southwest Airlines is looking for a People-focused Leader to guide a Team of Employee Relations Partners who help maintain a fair, respectful, and compliant workplace. This position provides strategic consultation to Leaders, HR Business Partners, and Employees on complex workplace issues, including policy interpretation, performance management, and sensitive concerns such as discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. By overseeing investigations, monitoring trends, and identifying risks, this Leader plays a key role in reducing organizational risk and strengthening trust across the Company. The work includes developing and coaching Team Members, partnering with Legal, Labor Relations, and other business partners, and delivering training that supports Leadership effectiveness. This position helps shape policies and practices that foster inclusion, accountability, and a positive Employee experience—ensuring that Safety, Hospitality, and Reliability remain at the heart of how we serve our People and Customers.

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.

• Guide and lead Team Members using SWA talent management practices to coach, develop, and engage Employees
• Adhere to Company Values and competencies to foster a Culture of inclusion, recognition, and support of a safe work environment
• Invest in leadership and self-growth through participating in continuous learning and development

• Provide leadership, direction, and oversight for the Employee Relations Team, ensuring consistent and effective handling of workplace concerns and Employee Relations matters
• Lead, coach, develop, and motivate Employee Relations Partners and support the ongoing evolution of Employee Relations programs, processes, and capabilities
• Serve as a trusted advisor to Leaders, HR Business Partners, Labor Relations, Legal, and other business partners on complex Employee Relations issues and workplace risk matters
• Provide expertise, consultation, and guidance regarding issues that impact the employment relationship, including performance management, workplace conduct, policy application, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other sensitive workplace concerns
• Oversee the Employee Relations case management process and ensure timely, thorough, fair, and consistent investigations conducted by Employee Relations Partners
• Monitor case trends, identify emerging workplace risks, and recommend proactive solutions that support a positive Employee experience and reduce organizational risk
• Partner closely with Labor Relations, Legal, Compliance, Internal Audit, and business Leaders to address workplace issues and implement effective solutions
• Develop and deliver training, resources, and guidance to Leaders and HR Partners on Employee Relations topics, workplace expectations, policy interpretation, and leadership effectiveness
• Establish and maintain strong relationships across the organization to support a culture of trust, accountability, inclusion, and respect
• Support policy development, governance activities, and organizational initiatives designed to strengthen compliance and enhance the Employee experience
• Analyze Employee Relations data and trends to identify opportunities for improvement, emerging risks, and issues requiring escalation.
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders

• Knowledge of Employee Relations principles, workplace investigations, conflict resolution practices, and employment law
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and local employment laws and regulations, including EEO and anti-discrimination requirements
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and case management systems
• Skilled in leading, developing, and coaching high-performing Teams
• Skilled in written and verbal communication, facilitation, and executive-level consultation
• Skilled in handling and resolving highly complex Employee Relations and workplace issues
• Skilled in identifying organizational trends, assessing workplace risk, and developing practical solutions
• Ability to influence and build effective relationships across all levels of the organization
• Ability to analyze information, exercise sound judgment, and make decisions in ambiguous or sensitive situations
• Ability to present information and facilitate training for large and small groups
• Ability to work under tight time constraints while managing multiple priorities
• Ability to handle confidential information with professionalism and discretion
• Ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders in a fast-paced and evolving environment

• Required: High School Diploma or GED

• Demonstrated experience in directly or indirectly leading team(s)
• Fully functioning, broad knowledge in:
  • Human Resource Management or related field
  • Leadership management techniques and supervisory skills
  • Working with various employment laws, employment-related regulations and requirements, governmental regulations and compliance, and human resource practices
• Preferred: Expert-level experience in working directly with Department Leaders (VP, Directors) on complex business issues

• Preferred: Experience conducting performance discussions, coaching employees through workplace challenges, or addressing conflicts within a team

• Preferred: Experience influencing stakeholders or gaining alignment across multiple teams or departments

• Preferred: Experience leading a project, initiative, or program from planning through implementation

• Preferred: Directly managed a team of Employee Relations professionals responsible for conducting investigations, resolving workplace concerns, and advising leaders on employee relations matters

• Preferred: Experience partnering with Human Resources Business Partners, Legal, Labor Relations, Compliance, or Internal Audit teams to evaluate workplace risk and determine appropriate resolution strategies

• Preferred: Experience supporting employee relations matters in a large, multi-location operational environment within aviation

• N/A

• 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

• 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 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 Retirement Savings Plan, which includes a dollar-for-dollar 401(k) Company match contribution of 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
• Southwest offers health plan coverage options that start from the very first day of employment. You'll have 30 days to select and enroll in your health plan, and coverage will be retroactively available to your first day of employment.
• Explore more benefits you’ll love: https://careers.southwestair.com/benefits

*Pay amount doesn’t guarantee employment for any particular period.
**401(k) Company match contributions are subject to the plan’s vesting schedule. Match contributions may vary based on the position.
*** Profit-sharing contributions are subject to the Retirement Savings Plan vesting schedule and are made at the discretion of the Company.