Principal, External Engagement, AWS Economic Development

Socket.dev; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 223,000; Full time

Job summary

Amazon seeks a Principal, External Engagement to own the external engagement strategy for the Arlington region, defining vision, priorities, and measurable outcomes. You will collaborate across Public Policy, Communications, Economic Development, and Infrastructure to build trusted relationships with civic leaders, business groups, and local officials.

The role involves designing community events, translating policy topics for broader audiences, and mentoring teams to scale engagement across

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or above in a relevant discipline (e.g. Law, Political Science, Public Policy, Public Affairs, Economic Development)
• 10+ years of relevant experience in public relations, public policy, economic development, external engagement, or equivalent experience

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the external engagement strategy for the assigned region, setting priorities and owning outcomes.
• Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, civic leaders, and local organizations as a trusted advocate for Amazon.
• Collaborate with Public Policy, Communications, Economic Development, and Infrastructure teams to align engagement efforts.
• Design community events and partnership initiatives and create scalable engagement frameworks.
• Author strategic engagement plans and leadership briefing materials translating policy topics for the community.

Skills

Public policy

External engagement

Stakeholder relationship management

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

J.D. or Master’s degree

Job description

Application deadline: Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis

Are you a seasoned public policy professional who thrives on building relationships and shaping how a company shows up in the communities it serves? Amazon's Public Policy team is looking for a Principal, External Engagement to own the external engagement strategy for assigned regions, helping Amazon become the most trusted business and community partner.

In this role, you will define the strategic vision for community and stakeholder engagement across your region, set priorities, and deliver measurable outcomes. You will collaborate closely with internal partners across Communications, Economic Development, and Infrastructure teams while building meaningful relationships with civic leaders, business organizations, and local government officials. Whether you are speaking at a civic association meeting or presenting to a regional business group, you will meet people where they are and represent Amazon as a visible, credible presence in the community.

Key job responsibilities

• Define and lead the external engagement strategy for your assigned region, setting priorities, allocating resources, and owning outcomes that advance Amazon's community partnership goals.
• Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, civic leaders, business organizations, and local opinion leaders, serving as a recognized and trusted advocate for Amazon across your region.
• Collaborate across Public Policy, Communications, Economic Development, and Infrastructure teams to align engagement efforts with broader organizational strategies and influence business decisions through stakeholder insights.
• Design community events and partnership initiatives that bring together external stakeholders and Amazon representatives, and create scalable engagement frameworks that can be adopted across regions.
• Author strategic engagement plans, regional assessments, and leadership briefing materials, translating complex policy and operational topics into clear, community-relevant messaging.

A day in the life

Your morning might start with a call to brief senior leaders on a developing community issue, followed by a working session with Communications and Economic Development partners to align messaging for an upcoming regional event. After lunch, you head to a local civic association meeting where you represent Amazon and gather on-ground insights. Back at your desk, you draft a strategic engagement plan for a new initiative, then close the day mentoring a teammate on stakeholder management techniques. The work blends independent strategy development with hands-on community presence.

About the team

The External Engagement team sits within Amazon's Public Policy organization and is responsible for how Amazon engages with local communities, civic groups, and regional stakeholders. We work to ensure Amazon is a trusted neighbor and partner in the regions where we operate. Our team collaborates with partners across Communications, Economic Development, and Infrastructure to deliver coordinated engagement that reflects Amazon's commitment to the communities we serve. If you are energized by building connections, shaping strategy, and making a tangible impact in communities, this is the team for you.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or above in a relevant discipline (e.g. Law, Political Science, Public Policy, Public Affairs, Economic Development)
• 10+ years of relevant experience in public relations, public policy, economic development, external engagement, or equivalent experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• J.D., or Master's degree
• Experience creating and owning external affairs or community engagement strategies at a strategic level with measurable business impact
• Experience with local public policy and engagement efforts and/or experience with local/municipal policymaking
• Experience designing and overseeing event planning and coordination for community stakeholders and business partners
• Demonstrated ability to manage high-profile relationships with community partners and civic leaders and own accountability for outcomes
• Demonstrated ability to set and lead strategy independently in ambiguous environments where the problem, plan, or approach is not yet defined
• Proven track record of working across multiple organizations, influencing business decisions, and building consensus with senior stakeholders
• Highly effective oral, written, and interpersonal communications skills; demonstrated ability to interact at the highest corporate and political levels
• Experience force-multiplying through scalable mechanisms, frameworks, or programs that enable broader team and organizational impact
• Ability to understand how technical language in legislative and regulatory proposals could affect corporate operations, identify business implications, and synthesize policy documents for internal customers
• Ability to influence, negotiate with, and persuade others; must be flexible and demonstrate strong judgment/decision-making skills and political acumen
• Ability to maintain the highest personal levels of ethical conduct, confidentiality, and integrity, promoting the strongest professional reputation in the industry
• A self-starter with a proven track record of success working with a wide array of groups across organization and culture
• Demonstrated ability to build and foster effective relationships and networks with others, including experience mentoring and developing team members

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

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, , - 164,800.00 - 222,900.00 USD annually

USA, VA, Arlington - 164,800.00 - 222,900.00 USD annually

USA, VA, Virtual Location - Virginia - 164,800.00 - 222,900.00 USD annually