Director, Southwest Business Technology

Department: Technology

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 People of Southwest Airlines come together to deliver on our Purpose, which is to connect People to what’s important in their lives through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel. The Director Technology invests in the future of Southwest’s People by Leading and driving application strategies within the Southwest Business space. This role will be a champion for their Teams as they work collaboratively with Southwest Business Teams and various workgroups throughout the Company to align strategies with Business Partners and support/drive the future of multiple applications in these spaces. The Director Technology is passionate about People Leadership and joining a developing and exciting Team, where you’ll have the opportunity to drive your own career with Heart and the future of Southwest.

As the Director Technology, you can expect:
Experience in contract negotiation, establishing and developing vendor relationships, in People Leadership, and/or long term strategy development may be beneficial in transitioning to this role but are not all required.
Fly for free, as a privilege, on any open seat on all Southwest flights—your eligible dependents too.
Up to a 9.3% 401(k) Company match, dollar for dollar, per paycheck.*
Potential for annual ProfitSharing contribution toward retirement - when Southwest profits, you profit.**
Explore more Benefits you’ll love: swa.is/benefits
For eligible Leadership and individual contributor roles, additional bonus opportunities are available and awarded at the discretion of the company.
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.

Job Summary
Leads four Managers responsible for ~80 employees, contractors and Professional Services responsible for technologies that support Southwest Business.
Responsible 20 vendor contracts, custom development, and Customer (Southwest Business) management
Responsible for the technologies that support SWABIZ, Global Distribution Systems, Southwest Partner Services, Omni-Channel Data Feed, Southwest Business Assist, Salesforce CRM, Accelya Audit, and ARC Settlement
Responsible to deliver on new products planned for 2023-2024 including Groups, “MICE” (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions/Conferences, Events), New Distribution Capabilities (NDC), Omni-Channel enhancements, and various digital enhancements
Provide technical Leadership for Application Development teams, specifically in the areas of Salesforce APEX, AWS, and the Open Travel Alliance
Provide functional and strategic Leadership for Program teams
Apply business acumen to all components of the planning process at a department/enterprise-level.
Oversee complex and cross-functional projects and ensure technical/functional solutions are solid, well integrated, comply with technical strategy, and meet or exceed Customer requirements.
Represent VP in meetings/decision-making processes.
Responsible for delivery of new products, product enhancement, as well as maintenance of existing products.
Model the Southwest Way
Guide and lead Team Members using SWA talent management practices to coach, develop, and engage Employees
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
Create and articulate vision of future linked to Department and Company performance aspirations
Work with Business Partner to create future strategy with aligned technologies
Provide thought leadership on emerging trends, tools and technologies specific to Southwest Business; maintain enterprise and industry knowledge particularly in the area supporting Southwest Business and supporting technologies such as Salesforce, Open Travel Alliance, New Distribution Capabilities, and Global Distribution Systems
Oversee a complex organization and cross-functional Teams and projects; make appropriate decisions/trade-offs as required that are consistent with strategic direction of department
Work seamlessly with your Business Customer (Southwest Business)
Identify and influence business process change, definition, refinement, and execution in support of best business practices
Negotiate and leverage outside consultants, vendor relationships, offering to extend delivery capability of Department
Deliver new complex technologies from inception to maturation including ideation, approval to execute, budget, request for proposal, contracting with vendor(s), development, testing, training, communication to end users, implementation, hyper care and steady state.
Provide conflict-resolution mechanisms and lead efforts across the enterprise
Implement strategic plans for systems and technology implementations; ensure ongoing stability of systems consistent with defined organizational objectives and strategic direction
Develop procedures, tools, and support to ensure thorough testing is accomplished and assure functional and technical integrity of system
Maintain financial control and accountability on capital and operating expenses for all assigned areas of responsibility while maintaining consistent quality to meet business objectives
May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Highly Preferred: knowledge of Salesforce platform and development practices, particularly Experience Cloud, Sales Cloud, Customer Relationship Management, and APEX
Highly Preferred: knowledge of Global Distribution Systems and airline distribution technologies (Open Travel Alliance and New Distribution Capabilities)
Highly Preferred: experience leading a Request for Proposal (“RFP”) and creating and negotiating technology contracts
Preferred: knowledge of AWS Cloud Platform
Advanced knowledge of management/Leadership principals, personnel practices, and regulations
Advanced knowledge of technology practice(s), concepts, methodologies, and trends related to cross-functional Teams
Advanced knowledge of program and project management methodologies
Advanced knowledge and business acumen of Southwest Business or equivalent Sales organization including understanding of product strategies across market segments
Advanced knowledge of Southwest Business or equivalent Sales organization and the ability to assess impact of applied technologies on Customer’s business processes
Highly skilled in partnering, negotiation and communication in order to facilitate interactions with business Customers and technical support
Ability to create and implement strategic direction and influence at the Department and enterprise level
Ability to effectively lead others to accomplish goals/objectives, and coach, mentor and develop Team members
Ability to set and manage stakeholder expectations and deliver quality projects on time and within budget
Ability to prioritize problems and solutions at a department/enterprise level and provide effective follow-up and communication when problems occur
Education
Required: High School Diploma or GED
Required: Bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems, Computer Science, Business Administration or related field and/or equivalent formal training
Experience
Demonstrated experience leading multiple teams or functions through subordinate Leaders
Advanced level Business Acumen in functional area with understanding of broad business impacts

Expansive and far reaching knowledge in:
A Business and/or Information Technology environment, specifically related to cross-functional Teams
Directing large development efforts
Licensing/Certification
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
Must meet confidentiality expectations as to confidential, proprietary and sensitive Company information
Air travel with frequent overnight stays required
Ability to work extended hours as needed

• 401(k) match contributions are subject to the plan’s vesting schedule and applicable IRS limits

**ProfitSharing contributions are subject to plan’s 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.