Talent Acquisition Program Manager
Department:
Talent & Org StrategyOur 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 Talent Acquisition Program Manager supports Southwest’s early career talent strategy by managing programs that attract, develop, and prepare future talent for success across the Company. They’ll Lead the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of internship, co‑op, and rotational programs while partnering with business Leaders and Stakeholders to ensure programs align with workforce and business needs. They’ll manage complex initiatives from inception through delivery, providing expertise in program strategy, process improvement, and stakeholder engagement. The Talent Acquisition Program Manager leverages strong program management, analytical, and relationship‑building skills to create impactful talent experiences and drive long‑term workforce success.
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.
- Anticipate large-scale, complex challenges within domain, including risk, dependencies, timelines, scope, etc.
- Collaborate with assigned client groups to support people initiatives by understanding the organization's objectives, issues, needs, and key success factors
- Communicate with key Stakeholders to determine project requirements and objectives
- Develop deep understanding of Customer priorities, value drivers, and challenges; using this knowledge to translate Customer needs
- Manage Customer expectations effectively and help drive innovation in Customer areas
- Monitor project milestones and deliverables
- Partner with Customer to create and maintain the Capability Roadmap for the next 3-10 years
- Partner with Customer to create and maintain the Capability Roadmap of functional capabilities
- Partner with Senior Leadership across the company to lead various activities required in the ongoing development and delivery of strategic initiatives
- Mentor peers by being a point of support, providing guidance and subject matter expertise
- May perform other job duties as directed by Employee’s Leaders
- Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects
- Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems
- Understanding and applying information to contribute to the organization’s strategic plan
- Uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems
- Ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense
- Ability to produce unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem
- Ability to influence and shape perspectives across multiple levels of stakeholders
- Required: High School Diploma or GED
- Advanced-level experience, seasoned and specialized knowledge in:
- Training, Guiding, Consulting, Leading
- Applying Project Management skills to implement HR strategies and programs
- Preferred: Experience designing and scaling early career programs, including internships, co-ops, rotational, and graduate initiatives.
- Preferred: Experience developing talent pipeline strategies that improve attraction, conversion, and retention.
- Preferred: Ability to influence and partner with leaders, HR, Talent Acquisition, universities, vendors, and talent communities.
- Preferred: Data-driven approach with the ability to turn insights into strategic recommendations and program improvements.
- Preferred: Knowledge of early career recruiting, campus engagement, candidate experience, and conversion strategies.
- Preferred: Ability to manage program strategy, governance, budgets, vendors, technology, and communications.
- Preferred: Experience using Workday, Phenom, Qualtrics, Alteryx, and Microsoft 365 to administer programs and analyze data.
- N/A
- 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
- 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
Pay & Benefits:
- Competitive market salary from $98,650 per year to $109,600 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 Retirement Savings Plan 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:
*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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