Regional PR Specialist, U.S. Field Communications Team

Amazon is seeking a high-judgment, self-motivated, and creative communications professional to join our Field Communications Team.

As a Regional PR Specialist, you will help manage proactive, positive, earned, external storytelling for Amazon at the hyperlocal level, specifically in the DMV region (DC, Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland). This role mines for potential stories and helps other teams amplify their news locally. The PR Specialist also earns media coverage across all Amazon’s reputational and business areas.

The ideal candidate is based in the Virginia area with an ability to travel regularly to other Amazon sites across the state and the Southeast region. You must have established external relationships, or the ability to quickly establish relationships, with local reporters, content creators, stakeholders, and community leaders. Internally, you will work cross functionally with other communications, public policy, economic development, business teams and operations employees to craft compelling proactive stories for external audiences.

To be successful in this role you will need excellent communications skills, writing ability, initiative, and a strong ability to collaborate. You should have experience delivering results with high standards under tight deadlines and be comfortable and confident as an on-the-record and on-camera spokesperson. The person in this role is the face of Amazon in the DMV and/or Southeast Region. Creativity and flexibility are a must, as you will be asked to jump in on projects when and where needed.

Key job responsibilities
• Develop and manage the execution of external earned storytelling in cities with Amazon sites, such as high-visibility operations and corporate building milestone events, community donations with local elected officials, news media facility tours, and other media relations activities. You will recommend strategies to secure positive coverage, build Amazon’s reputation, and amplify content
• Collaborate with communications teams across Amazon to support their local news announcements
• Develop and write news releases, media advisories, reporter and content creator (such as podcasters and influencers) pitches, fact sheets, spokesperson talking points, and related media materials
• Successfully manage complex, fast-moving, and unexpected communications challenges, and deliver communications counsel to internal executives for both short- and long-term challenges and opportunities
• Build and maintain relationships with key traditional and non-traditional media members including social media influencers, podcasters, bloggers, etc.
• Solid ability to work collaboratively with multiple-stakeholder teams
• Effectively represent Amazon as a spokesperson via print, radio, broadcast and podcast interviews

About the team
The U.S. Field Communications Team (FCT) is a high-performing unit of local media experts embedded across the country in key priority locations. The FCT is tasked with protecting and enhancing Amazon’s corporate reputation in local communities across the U.S. The vision for the FCT is to create a steady drumbeat of Amazon storytelling. It works with teams across Economic Development, Public Policy, and Amazon’s broader communications organizations to announce new investments, products, and services. The team also forges strong relationships with local operational leaders, enabling it to find and tell human interest stories. Direct relationships with journalists help team members place, shape, and drive stories in earned media, delivering integrated communications tactics to widen content reach. The FCT sits between the business and journalists, often managing the complex needs of both, while always seeking the best possible reputational outcome for Amazon. The overall goal is to position Amazon as a force for good in communities, challenge myths about what it’s like to work at Amazon and promote the company’s positive impact on society and the planet.

Basic Qualifications

- 5+ years of recent professional communications or public relations experience
- Bachelor's degree

Preferred Qualifications

- Research and integrate industry news, trends and compelling angles into PR programs
- Acute awareness of the local socio-political landscape, and keen insights into local community concerns/issues
- Bilingual speaking ability in Spanish is a bonus (but not required)

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, VA, Virtual Location - Virginia - 76,600.00 - 134,000.00 USD annually