VP Public Policy & Government Affairs
Description
Who are we?
Equinix is the world’s digital infrastructure company®, shortening the path to connectivity to enable the innovations that enrich our work, life and planet.
A place where bold ideas are welcomed, human connection is valued, and everyone has the opportunity to shape their future.
A career at Equinix means being at the center of shaping what comes next and amplifying customer value through innovation and impact. You’ll work across teams, influence key decisions, and help shape the path forward. You’ll find belonging, purpose, and a team that welcomes you—because when you feel valued, you’re empowered to do your best work.
Job Summary
The Leader, Public Policy and Government Affairs (PPGA) is responsible for shaping and advancing a global public policy, regulatory, and geopolitical strategy that enables the Company’s long ‑ term growth, resilience, and license to operate . This role ensures a supportive legislative, regulatory, and community environment by engaging at the highest levels of government and influencing policy outcomes that directly affect the Company’s global business strategy.
Operating as a senior enterprise leader and trusted advisor to the Board, CEO, Executive Team, and senior leadership, the PPGA Leader integrates geopolitical intelligence, regulatory foresight, and systems ‑ level thinking to anticipate threats and opportunities, and to develop coordinated offensive and defensive strategies that protect and advance the Company’s interests worldwide.
Responsibilities
Key Stakeholder Engagement
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Serve as a regular strategic advisor to the Board of Directors, Executive Chair, CEO, Executive Team, and Senior Vice Presidents on public policy, regulatory, geopolitical, and government related risks and opportunities
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Proactively engage Board members and executive leadership to shape enterprise level responses to government, regulatory, community, and geopolitical challenges impacting company strategy, investment decisions, and growth. Partner closely with Regional Presidents, Managing Directors, Legal, Corporate Communications, Strategy, Sustainability, and other senior leaders to align public policy and government engagement with business objectives.
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Represent the Company externally as the senior voice on public policy and government affairs, strengthening credibility with governments, regulators, industry peers, and other key stakeholders
Strategy Development & Systems Thinking
- Lead the development of a coherent, multi‑year global PPGA strategy , in close partnership with a cross ‑ functional leadership team, ensuring alignment with the Company’s overall corporate and regional strategies
- Apply systems‑thinking to understand complex interdependencies across geopolitics, regulation, infrastructure, energy, technology, capital investment, and community sentiment—and translate these insights into actionable processes and strategies
- Establish enterprise‑wide frameworks that connect geopolitical trends, regulatory developments, and policy risk to business planning, site selection, capital allocation, and market entry decisions
- Continuously assess the external environment to identify emerging threats and opportunities, adapting strategy to a rapidly shifting political, regulatory, and geopolitical landscape and an environment of uncertainty and change
Geopolitical & Regulatory Leadership
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Anticipate and interpret geopolitical, regulatory, and legislative developments globally and assess their impact on the Company’s strategy, operations, supply chains, and growth plans
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Design and execute offensive and defensive public policy and regulatory strategies to mitigate risk, counter adverse policy developments, and proactively shape favourable outcomes
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Lead coordinated engagement with governments at the international, national, state, and local levels, including executive branches, legislatures, regulators, and utilities
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Guide the Company’s approach to community engagement and government relations to secure support for development, operations, and long ‑ term presence in key markets
PPGA Team Leadership & Execution
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Build, develop, and lead a high ‑ performing global PPGA organization capable of executing against strategic priorities at scale
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Translate strategy into clear priorities, operating models, and execution plans, ensuring consistent implementation across regions while allowing for local nuance
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Act as a leader of leaders, empowering senior PPGA leaders to execute effectively while maintaining alignment with enterprise strategy
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Continuously evolve the PPGA organizational design, capabilities, and resource allocation to address the most material risks and opportunities facing the Company
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Cross ‑ Functional & Legal Partnership
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Lead the PPGA function within the Legal Department, working in close partnership with Legal leadership and cross ‑ functional teams to ensure cohesive execution and accountability
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Establish governance, processes, and metrics to track progress against strategic goals and ensure transparency with executive leadership
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Oversee PPGA ‑ related budgets and external spend, ensuring disciplined investment aligned with strategic priorities and risk mitigation objectives
Thought Leadership
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Build deep connections with legal and regulatory capabilities, driv ing a commercially grounded, pragmatic approach and interconnected approach to cross functional PPGA, compliance, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement
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Serve as an internal and external thought leader on public policy, regulation, and geopolitics as they intersect with digital infrastructure, energy, sustainability, and technology
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Shape and articulate compelling policy positions that reflect the Company’s values, long ‑ term vision, and business needs
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Provide clear, concise, and forward ‑ looking insights to senior leadership, enabling informed decision ‑ making in moments of uncertainty and change
Qualifications
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Considerable years of overall Public Policy & Government Affairs experience of which with at least 10 years in a senior leadership role
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Preferably Cross functional experience such as leading regulatory and compliance strategies and teams
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Experience leading a globally diverse team & delivering outcomes across jurisdictions
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Experience leading an organization through transformation
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Experience as a strategic partner to the business, preferably in the technology/data center sector
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Strong leadership skills in motivating a team and delivery on team objectives as a unified team with one voice
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Possesses a highly evolved commercial sensibility
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Possesses executive presence, and ability to influence at the SVP level and above
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Ability to standardize global policies while translating for local complexities
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Adept at balancing intense short-term pressures with overall long-term goals
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Adept at inspiring behavior change through motivating teams, planning initiatives, designating priorities, and being decisive when faced with ambiguity
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Focus on execution and results – establishing high standards for performance, setting goals and developing plans, following through and holding people accountable for results
The targeted pay range for this position in the following location is / locations are:
United States - Washington DC Office DCS : 272,000 - 408,000 USD / Annual
United States - Redwood City Office GHQ : 272,000 - 408,000 USD / Annual
Our pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum target for new hire pay for the full-time position determined by role, level, and location. The pay range shown is based on our compensation structure in place at the time of posting and may be updated periodically based on business needs. Individual pay is based on additional factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education and/or training.
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