Managing Director Enterprise & Executive Communications

About the job

Department:

Communications & Culture

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 Managing Director Enterprise & Executive Communications, you’ll serve as a trusted strategic advisor to the Senior Vice President & Chief Communications Officer and Executive Leadership, translating Southwest’s business strategy into a clear, compelling enterprise narrative. You’ll provide guidance and direction to the Executive Communications Team, leading high-profile speeches, presentations, town halls, Leadership messages, and other communications that position Southwest and its Leaders through authentic, strategic storytelling. Partnering across the Company, you’ll ensure messaging is coordinated across functions and audiences, reflects a unified enterprise voice, and connects Employees, Customers, media, and other stakeholders to Southwest’s priorities and transformation initiatives. You’ll anticipate the impact of business decisions, identify communication opportunities and risks, and establish planning and governance practices that strengthen alignment and execution. Through enterprise-wide counsel, strategic leadership, and thoughtful stewardship of Southwest’s story, you’ll help build trust, strengthen the Company’s reputation, and ensure its most important priorities are communicated with clarity, consistency, and lasting impact.

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.

Model the Southwest Way

• 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

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted strategic advisor to the Senior Vice President & Chief Communications Officer and executive leadership, providing counsel on enterprise communications, executive messaging, and stakeholder engagement.
• Develop and evolve Southwest’s enterprise narrative by translating business strategy, priorities, and transformation initiatives into clear, compelling, and aligned communications.
• Lead the strategy and execution of executive communications, including speeches, presentations, town halls, leadership messages, and other high-profile communications that advance business objectives.
• Develop integrated communications strategies that align messaging across business functions, ensuring communications are coordinated, consistent, and reflect a unified enterprise voice.
• Anticipate the impact of business decisions across employees, customers, media, and other stakeholders, providing strategic recommendations that strengthen understanding, trust, and the Company’s reputation.
• Partner with senior leaders across the enterprise to connect business priorities, identify communications opportunities and risks, and develop communication strategies that support enterprise initiatives and organizational transformation.
• Establish communications planning processes and governance that improve cross-functional collaboration, prioritization, and execution across Communications and enterprise partners.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team by fostering collaboration, strategic thinking, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
• Support annual operating planning by aligning communication resources and priorities to the Company’s most significant strategic initiatives.
• Provide subject matter expertise and strategic communications counsel on enterprise initiatives, executive positioning, organizational priorities, and issues requiring coordinated communications across multiple audiences.
• Leads the development and stewardship of Southwest’s enterprise narrative, ensuring business strategy, executive communications, and major enterprise initiatives are communicated through a consistent, authentic, and compelling company story.
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee’s Leader.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of executive, corporate, and enterprise communications principles, strategies, and emerging industry trends.
• Knowledge of business strategy and organizational priorities with the ability to translate complex concepts into clear, compelling communications for diverse audiences.
• Knowledge of stakeholder management, reputation management, and integrated and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources
• Skilled in developing executive-ready communications, presentations, speeches, talking points, and messaging that effectively inform, influence, and inspire.
• understanding and applying information to contribute to the organization's strategic plan
• Skilled in serving as a trusted advisor to senior executives by providing strategic communications counsel, sound judgment, and recommendations on complex business issues.
• Skilled in developing enterprise communication strategies that align business priorities, connect cross-functional initiatives, and reinforce a consistent company narrative.
• Ability to anticipate stakeholder impacts, identify communications risks, and opportunities, and proactively develop strategies that support business objectives and protect the Company’s reputation.
• Ability to build trusted relationships and influence leaders across all levels of the organization without direct authority.
• Ability to balance multiple high-profile priorities while exercising discretion, sound judgement, and confidentiality in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to develop effective, executive-ready presentations and communication materials that tell a clear, concise, and compelling story.
• Ability to communicate confidently and effectively with executive leadership, employee’s external stakeholders, and the media, as appropriate.
• Skilled in using Microsoft Office Suite and communications technologies to develop high-quality communication materials and presentations.
• Ability to synthesize complete business strategies, competing priorities, and stakeholder perspectives into a unified enterprise narrative that drives understanding and alignment.
• Ability to speak confidently in front of large and small groups both internally and externally

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:
• The ability to translate business strategy into integrated communications and executive messaging
• Executive communications, corporate communications, strategic communications, public affairs, or a related communications discipline
• Advising senior executives and leading complex, cross-functional communications initiatives across a large organization
• Developing enterprise communication strategies that influence key stakeholders, strengthen organizational alignment, and support business objective

Licensing/Certification

• N/A

Physical Abilities

• Ability to perform work duties from limited space workstation/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

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
• Ability to travel as needed for projects (typically limited to several times a year)

Pay & Benefits:

• Competitive market salary from $225,800-$250,900* 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 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.

Southwest Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please print/save this job description because it won't be available after you apply.