VP Public Policy & Government Affairs

About this role

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

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
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.
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

Anticipate and interpret geopolitical, regulatory, and legislative developments globally and assess their impact on the Company's strategy, operations, supply chains, and growth plans
Design and execute offensive and defensive public policy and regulatory strategies to mitigate risk, counter adverse policy developments, and proactively shape favourable outcomes
Lead coordinated engagement with governments at the international, national, state, and local levels, including executive branches, legislatures, regulators, and utilities
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

Build, develop, and lead a high-performing global PPGA organization capable of executing against strategic priorities at scale
Translate strategy into clear priorities, operating models, and execution plans, ensuring consistent implementation across regions while allowing for local nuance
Act as a leader of leaders, empowering senior PPGA leaders to execute effectively while maintaining alignment with enterprise strategy
Continuously evolve the PPGA organizational design, capabilities, and resource allocation to address the most material risks and opportunities facing the Company
Cross-Functional & Legal Partnership
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
Establish governance, processes, and metrics to track progress against strategic goals and ensure transparency with executive leadership
Oversee PPGA-related budgets and external spend, ensuring disciplined investment aligned with strategic priorities and risk mitigation objectives

Thought Leadership

Build deep connections with legal and regulatory capabilities, driving a commercially grounded, pragmatic approach and interconnected approach to cross functional PPGA, compliance, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement
Serve as an internal and external thought leader on public policy, regulation, and geopolitics as they intersect with digital infrastructure, energy, sustainability, and technology
Shape and articulate compelling policy positions that reflect the Company's values, long-term vision, and business needs
Provide clear, concise, and forward-looking insights to senior leadership, enabling informed decision-making in moments of uncertainty and change

Qualifications

Considerable years of overall Public Policy & Government Affairs experience of which with at least 10…