Southwest Airlines
Website:
southwest.com
Job details:
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
As Manager Artificial Intelligence supporting Southwest’s Analytics and AI initiatives, you’ll lead a newly formed Team responsible for how data is turned into insight and action across the Company. This role is critical to Southwest’s technology future—helping Teams move faster, make better decisions, and deliver stronger results through modern analytics, business intelligence, and AI‑enabled solutions. You’ll set the strategy and roadmap for analytics and reporting capabilities, while partnering closely with Business and Technology Leaders to ensure data is easy to access, understand, and use. You’ll build and grow a Team of Analysts, Data Engineers, and AI Engineers, creating scalable solutions that improve visibility, efficiency, and decision‑making at every level of the organization. This role offers the opportunity to shape how Southwest uses data and AI to operate smarter, respond more quickly, and continue delivering a strong, reliable experience for Customers and 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
- Build and lead a high-performing team responsible for delivering multiple, highly complex data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or optimization products in a timely, efficient manner with high quality by working with business customers to understand contextual problems quickly and define, analyze, and deliver innovative solutions that address business needs and support the company’s strategic priorities
- Manage the creation and communication of results from highly complex data analysis and/or the development of data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or optimization products
- Develop and effectively communicate a roadmap for the team aligned to the vision of the team, establish long-term and near-term plans as part of a roadmap necessary to meet the vision, and align the team appropriately through prioritization to execute the plan utilizing development and training to enhance the team’s skills as needed
- Ideate, adapt, and continuously improve the artificial intelligence program by advocating for new ideas and processes to increase efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction
- Foster relationships with key business leaders, internal customers, and peers to promote and advise on opportunities in your functional area that may be addressed through data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or optimization
- Maintain a portfolio of products and prioritize the delivery of those products in partnership with internal customers, communicating results and value-delivered via impactful metrics
- Recruit, develop, and retain individuals with the skills, attitude, and experience necessary to achieve goals/commitments as part of a high-performing, cohesive team
- Recognize achievements and advocate for career growth of employees to build a bench using mentorship, stretch opportunities, and training plans via a skills-based learning plan
- Create an environment where debate, dialogue and diversity of thought are encouraged, expected, and welcomed to foster high morale, integrity, trust and teamwork
- May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
- Knowledge of situational and strengths-based leadership to provide continuous coaching to unveil areas of opportunity for an employee to improve team performance and hold team accountable
- Knowledge of data procurement and integration methodologies, platforms, and tools
- Knowledge of data science, machine learning, agentic AI, artificial intelligence, or optimization product development methodologies, platforms, and tools
- Strong knowledge of engineering fundamentals, including code quality, testing and automation, observability and monitoring, AI product Dev life cycle and platform engineering
- Skilled in leading a team to develop multiple, highly complex data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or optimization products in a timely, efficient manner
- Skilled in developing strong working relationships across all levels of the company including employees, customers, and leadership, and communicating effectively to that network in a clear and concise way
- Skilled in demonstrating self-confidence and emotional intelligence in crucial conversations that result in positive action or change
- Skilled in developing talent to create a strong bench with adaptability to replace key positions in functional area
- Ability to anticipate changing circumstances, unexpected constraints, or challenges and develop ideas, processes, and approaches through creative problem solving to meet those simple to complex challenges
- Ability to translate objectives into well-defined plans, priorities, and assignments for your team; managing the prioritization of your team’s work and making time sensitive decisions to move work forward while taking responsible risks to achieve goals
- Ability to create an inclusive team environment that encourages dialogue and empowers your team to sharing varying perspectives
Education
- Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics, Computer or Data Sciences, Information Technology or similar fields of study; or equivalent advanced level experience
Experience
- Demonstrated experience in directly or indirectly leading team(s)
- Fully functioning, broad knowledge in:
- Data analysis, advanced analytics, Artificial Intelligence project experience
- Data pipeline, Artificial Intelligence and/or relevant programming
- Visualization and presentation development and delivery
- Solving ambiguous and complex problems through a systems thinking approach
- Formally or informally growing and mentoring talent, skills and abilities across a diverse Team
- Building and growing a new capability including driving and managing change
- Backend systems (Java/Python/Go or similar)
- Distributed systems fundamentals
- APIs, microservices architecture
- Data and Analytics Platforms
- 12+ years relevant work-related / leadership experience
- People leadership of cross-functional teams including Product, Analytics, Data Engineering, and Technology functions
- Analytics, Business Intelligence, Reporting, and Self-Service Analytics delivery experience including Tableau, QuickSight, Power BI, Alteryx, or similar platforms
- Business stakeholder management, roadmap ownership, prioritization, and translating business objectives into measurable outcomes
- Data-driven product delivery including KPIs, operational reporting, decision support solutions, and analytics modernization initiatives
- Working knowledge of Data Engineering concepts including APIs, ETL/ELT, integrations, data modeling, and enterprise data platforms.
Preferred Skills
- Experience leading Analytics Modernization, Self-Service Analytics, or Digital Transformation initiatives.
- Experience with GenAI, GenBI, Conversational Analytics, or AI-enabled Business Intelligence solutions
- Python, SQL, Databricks Genie, Amazon QuickSight, ThoughtSpot, or similar modern analytics platforms
- Data Governance, Semantic Layer, Metadata Management, and Business Glossary experience.
- Experience building and scaling Analytics, Data, AI, or Product-focused teams
Other Qualifications
- Must meet confidentiality expectations as to confidential, proprietary and sensitive Company information
- Ability to work extended hours as needed
- Must be able to travel and / or attend Company and non-Company facilities and remote locations such as remote-based offices as necessary
Southwest Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Job Posting End Date
08/26/2026
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