Economist, Entertainment Economics

Amazon Science; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 136,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

Amazon Science in Seattle seeks an economist to design econometric and causal models that quantify the value of entertainment offerings across Prime Video, Music, MGM Studios, and Gaming. You will translate data into actionable business insights for senior leaders while shaping cross-business measurement initiatives.

The role requires deep causal inference expertise, comfort with large datasets, and the ability to communicate complex results clearly.

Qualifications

• PhD in economics or equivalent.
• Experience with handling of large datasets.
• Experience in reduced form causal analysis, modeling, and experimental design.

Responsibilities

• Design and build econometric models, especially causal models, to measure the value of the business and its many features
• Develop science products from concept to prototype to production, incorporating feedback from scientists and business partners
• Independently identify and pursue new opportunities to leverage economic insights across entertainment and Prime
• Write business and technical documents communicating business context, methods, and results to business leadership and other scientists
• Serve as a technical reviewer for our team and related teams, including document and code reviews

Education

PhD in economics or equivalent

Job description

The charter of the Entertainment Economics team includes working on high-impact projects that require economics expertise and a cross-business perspective. Our team supports Amazon's diverse entertainment businesses - especially Prime Video, Amazon Music, Amazon MGM Studios, and Gaming (Luna) - through complex causal measurements (observational and experimental) and structural modeling. Some of our team's areas of science expertise include marketing science, long-term value measurement, and experimentation. As a central economics team not embedded in any particular business, we strive to provide objective analyses that take a customer-obsessed, pan-Amazon perspective.

The charter of the Entertainment Economics team includes working on high-impact projects that require economics expertise and a cross-business perspective. Our team supports Amazon's diverse entertainment businesses - especially Prime Video, Amazon Music, Amazon MGM Studios, and Gaming (Luna) - through complex causal measurements (observational and experimental) and structural modeling. Some of our team's areas of science expertise include marketing science, long-term value measurement, and experimentation. As a central economics team not embedded in any particular business, we strive to provide objective analyses that take a customer-obsessed, pan-Amazon perspective.

This role partners with the Prime Science team to evaluate and improve the way Amazon allocates Prime subscription revenue across its benefit teams, including entertainment businesses. Prime is Amazon's premiere membership program, with over 200mm members world-wide, bringing in billions in Prime subscription revenue annually. Prime is at the center of many major company decisions that impact Amazon's customers. These decisions span a variety of industries, each reflecting the diversity of Prime benefits: fast and free shipping, entertainment & digital content, reading, healthcare, and grocery. Each of these Prime benefits is supported by a different organization, and each relies on Prime subscription revenue to make critical investment decisions. Our team partners with Prime Science to ensure that these allocations are credible, actionable, and incentive compatible for every benefit. To support this work, this role will create science models, validate them, and productionize them. In addition to stellar economics expertise, this role requires systems thinking (anticipating how complex interconnected models will respond to changes in data or modeling), strategic thinking (supporting decisions that affect 200 million+ customers and set Amazon's direction for years to come), and scientifically novel thinking (using AI and the latest science advancements to achieve move).

The ideal candidate is expert in causal inference with experience working in large, complex structural modeling environments. They are a creative problem-solver, able to identify new approaches that solve multiple problems at once while minimizing churn. They think big, not limiting themselves to what's been done before, while tactfully accounting for the costs of major changes. They can add structure to incredibly ambiguous business contexts, making defensible assumptions and delivering measurements that drive impactful business decisions. They have effective communication and the skill to translate data-driven findings into actionable insights for senior leaders. Finally, they are empathetic and constructive. Our healthy team culture is supportive and fast-paced, and we prioritize learning, growth, and helping each other to continuously raise the bar.

Impact and Career Growth

In today's entertainment landscape, critical decisions are made with data and economic models. You'll help leaders ask the right questions, and then deliver data-driven answers, helping to create the future of Amazon. You'll help define a long-term science vision in this space and translate it into an actionable roadmap. This role combines science leadership, organizational ability, technical strength, product focus, and business understanding - a perfect recipe for career growth as an economist in tech.

Key job responsibilities

• Design and build econometric models, especially causal models, to measure the value of the business and its many features
• Develop science products from concept to prototype to production, incorporating feedback from scientists and business partners
• Independently identify and pursue new opportunities to leverage economic insights across entertainment and Prime
• Write business and technical documents communicating business context, methods, and results to business leadership and other scientists
• Serve as a technical reviewer for our team and related teams, including document and code reviews

Basic Qualifications

• PhD in economics or equivalent

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years of industry, consulting, government, or academic research experience
• Experience with handling of large datasets
• Experience in reduced form causal analysis, modeling, and experimental design

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company's reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.

USA, CA, Culver City - 136,000.00 - 184,000.00 USD annually

USA, NY, New York - 157,300.00 - 212,800.00 USD annually

USA, WA, SEATTLE - 136,000.00 - 184,000.00 USD annually