Manager Alaska Lounge

Seattle, WA, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Salary

Range $92,650.00 - $139,000.00

Work Schedule

Flexible

Weekend Shifts

Benefits

Free stand-by travel privileges

Medical insurance

Dental Insurance

vision benefits

401k match program

Annual bonus plans

Paid Time Off

Job Description

Alaska Airlines is a leading American airline known for its commitment to exceptional customer service, operational excellence, and creating an airline people love. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Alaska Airlines operates a vast network connecting its customers to a wide array of destinations across the United States and beyond. With a focus on innovation, guest experience, and sustainable practices, the airline fosters a culture guided by strong core values and leadership principles. The corporate teams at Alaska Airlines encompass various specialties including accounting, human resources, finance, legal, marketing, and operational divisions, all striving together to ensure the company's continued success and customer satisfaction. Alaska Airlines places a strong emphasis on its employees' growth and wellness, offering competitive salaries and extensive benefits to support their work-life balance and long-term career development.

The role of Manager Alaska Lounge is a pivotal leadership position responsible for the strategic execution and daily operations of the airport lounges within Alaska Airlines' network. This role requires a motivated and experienced leader who can effectively manage and prioritize the functions and responsibilities of the lounge staff to create a superior travel and airport experience for Alaska Airlines guests. The Manager Alaska Lounge leads the team in designated lounge locations and is entrusted with long-term strategic planning including staffing, enhancing guest experience, fostering partnerships, and driving initiatives to boost lounge membership and loyalty.

Integral to this position is the responsibility for smooth daily lounge operations, covering staff scheduling, resolving operational or facility issues, inventory control, vendor management, and budgeting with a focus on cost control and meeting financial objectives. The manager serves as the primary point of contact for the third-party culinary partner, ensuring food quality, safety, service quality, and collaboration with vendor leadership to uphold Alaska Lounge standards. By addressing any performance gaps in real-time, the Manager Alaska Lounge guarantees the highest service levels and operational consistency.

Additionally, the role involves handling escalated guest complaints with a professional and empathetic approach, contributing to continuous improvement in operations. The manager also plays a dynamic role in marketing by planning and supporting local events and marketing initiatives such as wine tastings and food shows to strengthen guest engagement and lounge loyalty. A collaborative spirit is essential, as the manager liaises with other airport station leaders to ensure unified exceptional customer service across all Alaska Airlines checkpoints.

Leadership and people development are core aspects of the role. The manager ensures that team members receive proper training, helps manage performance through ongoing feedback and coaching, and fosters a positive and productive culture that embodies Alaska Airlines' values of safety, kindness, integrity, and outstanding performance. Compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements, including training and audit oversight, is imperative.

This full-time regular management role is located at the Seattle Airport and offers a competitive salary range of $92,650 to $139,000 annually, reflective of location, experience, and skillset. Alaska Airlines is committed to fair and equitable compensation along with comprehensive benefits. The successful candidate must meet regulatory standards such as obtaining a SIDA badge and relevant food and alcohol handling certifications. This position demands flexibility to work various shifts including weekends and holidays, and the ability to handle extended periods of physical activity including lifting up to 50 pounds. The Manager Alaska Lounge role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a distinguished airline's guest experience and leadership culture while advancing one’s career in a dynamic and supportive environment.

Job Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
Minimum age of 18
Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
5 years of experience in customer/guest service, guest experience, hospitality, operations, loyalty marketing or related area
2 years of leadership experience
Bachelor’s degree or an additional two years of relevant training/experience in lieu of this degree
Experience scheduling shift work
Experience managing budget controls
Demonstrated customer service skills and familiarity with Alaska Airlines culture, policies, and practices
Effective communication skills (e.g., verbal, written, and listening)
Demonstrated leader capability of motivating others and constructively resolving personnel problems
Detail-oriented and highly organized with ability to multi-task and work independently in fast-paced environment
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Ability and willingness to work weekends, holidays, and various shifts, and be accessible 24/7 for after hour issues and emergencies
Must have or be able to obtain Washington State Food Handlers Certificate and Washington State Mandatory Alcohol Server Training (MAST) permit
Must be able to lift 50 lbs. and stand or walk extended periods

Job Qualifications

5 years of experience in customer/guest service, guest experience, hospitality, operations, loyalty marketing or related area
2 years of leadership experience
Bachelor’s degree or an additional two years of relevant training/experience in lieu of this degree
Experience scheduling shift work
Experience managing budget controls
Demonstrated customer service skills and familiarity with Alaska Airlines culture, policies, and practices
Effective communication skills (e.g., verbal, written, and listening)
Demonstrated leader capability of motivating others and constructively resolving personnel problems
Detail-oriented and highly organized, with ability to multi-task and work independently with limited guidance in a fast-paced environment
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)
Ability and willingness to work weekends, holidays, and various shifts, as well as be accessible 24/7 for after hour issues and emergencies as needed
Must have, or be able to obtain, a Washington State Food Handlers Certificate as well as the Washington State Mandatory Alcohol Server Training (MAST) permit
Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. and be able to bend, walk and remain standing for extended periods of time
High school diploma or equivalent is required
Minimum age of 18
Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Job Duties

Leads and establishes priorities of the Alaska Lounge team
Executes on strategy for Alaska Airlines airport lounges within assigned lounge location
Contributes to the long-term strategy and planning for staffing, guest experience, partnerships, and initiatives for designated location
Responsible for the success of the daily lounge operation (e.g. staffing/schedules, outstanding operational or facilities issues, inventory control procedures, vendor management, etc.)
Resolves complex, escalated guest complaints and provides appropriate feedback for operations issues
Manages local financial objectives, ensuring guidelines are met and expenses are within budget
Leads the day-to-day relationship with the lounge's third-party culinary partner, ensuring clear communication and alignment to Alaska Lounge standards
Partners closely with the vendor's on-site leadership to oversee food and beverage execution
Addresses performance gaps in real time and ensures staffing, workflows, and outputs meet service level expectations
Serves as the primary escalation point for vendor-related operational issues
Collaborates with internal partners to drive timely resolution, accountability, and continuous improvement
Represents Lounge externally by volunteering at special events (e.g., room wine tastings and food shows)
Provides input into the strategy for local key marketing initiatives to strengthen lounge loyalty and grow memberships
Plans special lounge events for guests (e.g., coffee cuppings, beer and wine tastings)
Liaises with other station leaders at airports within the designated region to cultivate partnerships and ensure superior customer service is provided to guests at all Alaska checkpoints throughout their airport experience
Develops people through effective performance management and ongoing feedback focusing on delegation, coaching, growing and developing the team for capacity and growth, managing performance of individuals in executing tasks, and time management
Oversees required training and conducts audits of all training records to ensure compliance with all company and regulatory policies and rules
Shapes the culture and work environment of the team through action, presence, and reinforcement of behaviors