Managing Director - Powerplant Program

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

• Lead Engine Governance Committee, making tactical decisions on engine work scopes supporting Engine purchase, sale, and lease decisions

• Responsible for ensuring Tech Ops operates within the Engine Maintenance Budget, typically $500M+ in annual spend

• Serve as the primary focal point between Southwest Airlines and the Engine Manufacturers for technical issues about Southwest's fleet

• Ensure Southwest Powerplant Engineering uses industry-leading practices to develop and substantiate repairs, ensuring airworthy engines at the lowest possible cost

• Oversee Engineering specifications for powerplant configurations and powerplant maintenance program at Southwest Airlines, ensuring safe, compliant engines, and properly balancing cost and reliability

• Responsible for compliance with engine supplier's contracts including quality, pricing, ongoing practices, and relationships

• Support the Southwest Airlines Technical Operations department in performing cost-benefit financial analyses for engine contracts

• Represent Technical Operations during the negotiation of Engine Maintenance Contracts, in support of Fleet Transactions and Supply Chain Management. Ensure the specification and execution of engine maintenance within Tech Ops is in accordance with contractual requirements

• Ensure that all work performed on Southwest powerplants is performed to Southwest Airlines quality standards

• Oversee development and maintenance of models to accurately forecast engine maintenance demand to support Technical Operations strategic planning and budgeting

• Prepare and manage Budget and Budget Variance reporting to Finance, Technical Operations Leadership, and other stakeholders

• Serves as Point of Contact for Southwest's FAA Certificate Management Office (CMO), as well as the FAA Engine Certification Office (ECO) for technical issues related to Engines

• Establish and monitor Team-based metrics to demonstrate the effectiveness of Powerplant program teams

• Must be able to meet any physical ability requirements listed in this description

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

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to develop a strategic vision and communicate that vision clearly

• Ability to be highly responsive and adaptable to efficiently manage quick-turn, tactical projects, as well as long-term transformational projects with the ability to effectively lead change and continuous improvement initiatives

• Ability to communicate large and complex issues in a structured and concise manner, with the ability to develop executive level/board of director level communication and material including PowerPoint presentations and analysis

• Ability to be a committed and passionate Leader of People, demonstrating strong communication skills, with the ability to motivate others

• Highly developed interpersonal skills with the ability to lead and inspire Teams to achieve targeted results

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical documents, financial data/reports, and operational data to establish Key Performance Indicators

• Ability to translate business and technology requirements into business process requirements

• Ability to comprehend, analyze, and evaluate situations, organizations, contracts, and systems in order to recommend modifications and improvements

• Thorough knowledge of organizational principles, management, and Leadership

Education

• Required: High School Diploma or GED

• Required: Bachelor's Degree in Aviation Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or other similar areas

Experience

• Required: Demonstrated experience in directly or indirectly leading team(s)

• Required: Advanced level Business Acumen in the functional area

• Required: Seasoned and specialized knowledge in:

  • Driving complex cross-functional initiatives and aligning stakeholders at all levels

  • Breaking down and solving ambiguous problems through quantitative and qualitative analysis

  • Developing strategies, plans, and decisions, and communicating them to executive leadership

  • Airline Operations, Planning, or Strategy-related experience

• Preferred: Aerospace OEM, MRO or Technical Operations experience

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 have the ability to properly manage highly sensitive and confidential information

Pay & Benefits

Competitive market salary from $204,300.00 per year to $227,000.00 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)

• Up to a 9.3% 401(k) Company match, dollar for dollar, of your eligible pay, per paycheck **

• Potential for annual ProfitSharing contribution toward retirement - when Southwest profits, you profit***

• Explore more Benefits you'll love:

*Pay amount does not guarantee employment for any particular period of time. **401(k) match contributions are subject to the plan's vesting schedule and applicable IRS limits

***ProfitSharing contributions are subject to the plan's vesting schedule and are made at the discretion of the Company.