Manager of Innovation

Department:

Innovation

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:

Job Summary

• This role directly leads a team of individual contributors and will foster a culture where energetic, creative people – designers, strategists, operators, researchers, and other problem solvers – help our business partners see what’s possible so that they are always prepared with a pipeline of good solutions to their toughest challenges.

Additional Details:

• Southwest Airlines' culture values the camaraderie, collaboration, and innovation that occur 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.

Southwest Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We continue to look for opportunities to reflect the communities we serve, and welcome applicants with diverse thoughts, backgrounds, and experiences.

Responsibilities

• Coach and guide a team of problem solvers by embracing both ambiguity and curiosity and lending technical expertise across the modes of design including research, design, development and storytelling
• Discover the ”why’s” behind problems through field research using ethnographic methods such as observation and find pertinent insights to identify opportunity areas for designing new solutions
• Envision and sketch new ideas across a wide range of experience types: digital and physical tools, programs and services, spaces and environments, events, campaigns, roles, policies, processes, etc.
• Create prototypes and gather feedback on design concepts from a wide range of audiences
• Lead and/or design concept workshops
• Collaborate in a team-based environment with leads from multi-disciplinary units such as operations, technology, facilities, and marketing
• Lead multi-disciplinary project teams through modes of design
• Teach and coach others on human-centered design methods
• Identifies and understands the dependencies and impacts of projects to the greater Company business or operation
• Must be able to meet any physical ability requirements listed on this description
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Intermediate knowledge of Human Centered Design and Innovation mindsets, tools and techniques
• Skilled in behavioral research practices
• Skilled in facilitating concepting sessions and prototyping
• Skilled in strategic thinking, problem solving and connecting disparate dots to see beyond today’s activities
• Skilled in building and managing relationships across a large organization
• Ability to discern underlying human needs and actionable insights from research
• Ability to articulate a compelling story and deliver impactful presentations to gain alignment
• Ability to coach, inspire and direct a team toward a common purpose and set a clear direction by casting a vision, creating action plans and delegating responsibilities
• Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite

Education

• Required: High School Diploma or GED
• Required: Undergraduate level degree in a research driven field such as Social Sciences or Design related fields

Experience

• Demonstrated experience in directly or indirectly leading team(s)
• Fully functioning, broad knowledge in:
• Business consulting / Strategy
• User Research
• Prototyping
• Communications
• Preferred direct experience designing customer experiences within the hospitality, hotels, aviation, or service-related industries.
• Experience understanding customer expectations, company policies, and operational design is preferred.
• Familiarity with digital and product design is a plus.

Licensing/ Certifications

• N/A

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

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

Competitive market salary from $134,750 per year to $149,700 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 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.

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Job Posting End Date

03/12/2025