Principal Real Estate Development Manager, AMERICAS Real Estate Development

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Engineering, or related fields.
• 15+ years of experience in real-estate development experience.
• 5+ years data center real estate experience.
• Real Estate Development or program management experience.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is seeking an experienced Real Estate Principal to lead the strategy, identification, acquisition, and development of properties for data centers that will power AWS’s expanding global cloud infrastructure. This individual will play a critical role in securing strategic sites that meet the technical, environmental, and financial needs of AWS while aligning with our long-term growth goals.

The ideal candidate brings 15+ years of experience in real estate site selection, acquisition, and development, with 5+ years specifically focused on data center-related projects. This role requires deep expertise in navigating zoning regulations, utility partnerships, environmental constraints, and ownership structures to secure the most viable properties. The Principal will also have demonstrated success in complex negotiations, including purchase agreements, build-to-suit arrangements, and colocation deals.

At AWS, the Real Estate Principal will collaborate with internal teams, including engineering, construction, legal, and finance, to ensure the seamless delivery of land for data center projects. This role offers the unique opportunity to shape AWS’s future by identifying high-value locations that meet the rigorous power, latency, and capacity requirements of the largest cloud infrastructure in the world. You will work at the intersection of real estate strategy, development, and business growth, helping AWS meet the ever-increasing demand for cloud services globally.

In addition to managing a pipeline of strategic real estate transactions, the Principal will drive the continuous improvement of AWS’s land acquisition processes. This includes streamlining our site development process, overseeing entitlement work, and fostering relationships with developers, utility providers, and municipalities. The ideal candidate is a results-driven, strategic thinker with the ability to balance speed, quality, and cost in high-stakes real estate deals.

Key job responsibilities

Site Selection & Acquisition:

• Identify, evaluate, and secure sites that meet AWS’s data center needs, considering key factors like geographical latency, access to power and water, and zoning regulations.
• Lead the due diligence process, evaluating environmental conditions, ownership structures, and regulatory hurdles.
• Collaborate with local governments, landowners, brokers, and developers to source strategic locations and assess potential risks.

Real Estate Negotiations & Transactions:

• Develop and execute complex real estate deals, including purchases, leases, build-to-suit agreements, and colocation contracts.
• Negotiate favorable terms with developers, landlords, and municipalities to meet AWS’s operational and financial goals.
• Manage deal flow across multiple regions, ensuring timely execution while balancing risk and scalability.

Development Oversight:

• Oversee entitlement, zoning, and permitting processes to ensure smooth site delivery.
• Coordinate with engineering, design, and construction teams to align project requirements with site characteristics.
• Ensure pre-construction work, such as grading, fencing, and offsite improvements, is completed to support timely development.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Partner with internal teams across legal, finance, construction, and operations to align real estate strategies with AWS’s long-term growth objectives.
• Build and maintain relationships with local municipalities, utility providers, and economic development agencies to support project success.
• Provide regular updates to senior leadership on site acquisition progress, risks, and market trends.

A day in the life

Why AWS

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating — that’s why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.

About the team

AWS Infrastructure Services owns the design, planning, delivery, and operation of all AWS global infrastructure. In other words, we’re the people who keep the cloud running. We support all AWS data centers and all of the servers, storage, networking, power, and cooling equipment that ensure our customers have continual access to the innovation they rely on. We work on the most challenging problems, with thousands of variables impacting the supply chain — and we’re looking for talented people who want to help.

You’ll join a diverse team of software, hardware, and network engineers, supply chain specialists, security experts, operations managers, and other vital roles. You’ll collaborate with people across AWS to help us deliver the highest standards for safety and security while providing seemingly infinite capacity at the lowest possible cost for our customers. And you’ll experience an inclusive culture that welcomes bold ideas and empowers you to own them to completion.

Amazon is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please visit https://www.amazon.jobs/en/disability/us.

This position will remain posted until filled. Applicants should apply via our internal or external career site.