Principal, External Engagement, AWS Economic Development

Amazon Inc.; Arlington, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 223,000; Full time

Job summary

Amazon is seeking a Principal, External Engagement for the AWS Economic Development area in Arlington. You will own the external strategy for your region, build trusted relationships with officials and civic leaders, and align engagement with broader Amazon goals.

The role drives measurable community partnerships and influences regional business decisions. You will design events, craft strategic engagement plans, and translate complex policy topics into clear messaging for local stakeholders

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or above in a relevant discipline such as Law, Political Science, Public Policy, Public Affairs, or Economic Development.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in public relations, public policy, economic development, external engagement, or equivalent.
• J.D. or Master's degree preferred for advanced engagement and policy work.
• Experience creating and owning external affairs or community engagement strategies with measurable business impact.
• Experience with local public policy, municipal policymaking, and stakeholder engagement at scale.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the external engagement strategy for the assigned region and own outcomes.
• Build relationships with elected officials, civic leaders, and local organizations as a trusted Amazon advocate.
• Collaborate across Public Policy, Communications, Economic Development, and Infrastructure teams.
• Design community events and scalable engagement frameworks for regional adoption.
• Author strategic engagement plans and translate policy topics into clear community messaging.

Skills

Public policy

Stakeholder engagement

Relationship building

Strategic planning

Policy analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree or above in relevant discipline

J.D., or Master's degree

Job description

Principal, External Engagement, AWS Economic Development

Job ID: 10536889 | Amazon Data Services, Inc.

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.

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.

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.

• 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

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status. Veterans, military spouses, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.