Chief of Staff, Enterprise AI

Who are we?

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
Serve as a strategic advisor and execution partner to the Chief AI Officer, helping shape and deliver Equinix’s enterprise AI agenda. The role spans AI strategy and governance, enterprise adoption and value realization, organizational capability, and the external AI ecosystem. Translate priorities into funded plans and measurable outcomes, strengthen executive decision-making, and enable the AI leadership team to operate effectively across a global organization.

The successful candidate combines independent judgment, practical AI fluency, and hands-on execution. They anticipate what needs attention, challenge assumptions constructively, and take ownership of complex work from initial framing through completion.

Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Executive Advisory

• Partner with the CAIO to define and communicate the enterprise AI strategy, priorities, and investment roadmap, connecting internal transformation with Equinix’s broader AI business and ecosystem strategy
• Develop decision briefs with clear recommendations, alternatives, financial implications, and risks. Provide candid advice and test the assumptions behind major proposals
• Assess emerging AI capabilities, competitors, and partnerships, distinguishing developments that warrant action from those that warrant monitoring
• Lead strategic initiatives and special projects from problem definition through delivery, establishing ownership and transitioning ongoing responsibilities to the appropriate teams

Business Operations & Execution

• Own the AI leadership team’s operating rhythm, including planning, portfolio reviews, leadership meetings, and offsites. Structure forums around decisions, with clear owners, deadlines, and follow-through
• Drive portfolio visibility across priorities, dependencies, investment, and results. Work with Finance and business owners to validate value assumptions and distinguish realized benefits from forecasts
• Coordinate budget and workforce planning with Finance and HR. Surface resource trade-offs and recommend where to accelerate, adjust, or stop investment
• Resolve execution barriers with accountable leaders and escalate material risks early, with options and a recommended course of action
• Represent the CAIO as delegated, exercising judgment within agreed decision rights and keeping the CAIO informed of consequential commitments

Cross-Functional Alignment & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build trusted partnerships with executive leaders, Chiefs of Staff, and business owners to secure sponsorship and drive enterprise AI adoption and value realization
• Resolve cross-functional dependencies and competing priorities. Make ownership explicit and address difficult issues directly and constructively
• Lead preparation of Board and executive materials, decision memos, and organizational communications, translating technical detail into clear business implications and specific asks
• Prepare the CAIO for customer, partner, and industry engagements. Define the purpose of each engagement and drive follow-through, aligning external messaging with Communications and Marketing

Organizational Effectiveness & Transformation

• Partner with the AI leadership team and HR on operating model evolution, workforce priorities, and leadership development. Identify capability gaps and clarify responsibilities as the organization scales
• Coordinate with AI governance, Security, Legal, and other control functions to bring responsible AI requirements and unresolved risk decisions into portfolio planning and executive reviews
• Advance AI fluency and change initiatives with business leaders, using adoption and outcome evidence to identify what needs to change
• Improve how the organization works through simple processes and practical use of AI, reducing manual reporting and unnecessary meetings. Model a culture of High Standard, Low Bureaucracy, Zero Blame

Qualifications

Knowledge & Experience

• 10+ years of experience in strategy, business operations, consulting, Chief of Staff, product, data, AI, or related leadership roles, with demonstrated ownership of execution and business results
• Strong understanding of enterprise AI and technology operating models, including generative AI, agents, shared platforms, adoption barriers, and AI economics and risk. Able to engage credibly with technical and business leaders
• Proven experience delivering complex initiatives across a large, global, matrixed organization, including resolving competing priorities and recovering work that is off track
• Strong financial and analytical acumen, with experience in business cases, investment prioritization, budget planning, and benefits measurement
• Experience personally developing executive communications, Board materials, and strategic plans that require limited revision and support consequential decisions
• Experience partnering with C-suite executives through ambiguity and organizational change. Prior Chief of Staff experience is valuable; equivalent operating leadership experience is equally relevant

Skills & Attributes

• Strategic judgment: Frame the right problem, make trade-offs, and offer an independent point of view
• Execution discipline: Take ownership without waiting for detailed direction and close commitments reliably
• Executive communication: Synthesize complex issues into concise, accurate writing and clear discussion
• Trust and discretion: Handle sensitive matters with integrity and the confidence to challenge respectfully
• Influence and collaboration: Build credibility across functions and hold peers accountable while preserving trust
• Learning agility: Develop technical and business context quickly, use AI tools effectively, and verify their outputs
• Calm leadership: Remain effective under pressure, recognize when to act independently and when to escalate, and put team outcomes first

The targeted pay range for this position in the following location is / locations are:

United States - Redwood City Office GHQ : 213,000 - 319,000 USD / Annual

United States - Dallas Infomart Office DAI : 177,000 - 265,000 USD / Annual

Canada - Toronto Office TRO : 166,000 - 248,000 CAD / 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.

The targeted pay range listed reflects the base pay only and does not include bonus, equity, or benefits. Employees are eligible for bonus, and equity may be offered depending on the position.

Equinix Benefits

As an employee, you become important to Equinix’s success. We ensure all your benefits are in line with our core values: competitive, inclusive, sustainable, connected and efficient. We keep them competitive within the current marketplace to ensure we’re providing you with the best package possible. So, wherever you are in your career and life, you’ll be able to enhance your experience and bring your whole self to work.

Employee Assistance Program: An Employee Assistance program is available to all employees.

US Benefits: - Insurance: You may enroll in health, life, disability and voluntary plans that are designed for you and your eligible family members. - Retirement: You and Equinix may contribute to a retirement plan to help you plan for your financial future. - Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays: You will receive an accrued amount of PTO each pay period along with various paid holidays for you to rest and recharge. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific plan or program terms. Canada Core Benefits: - Insurance: You may enroll in healthcare coverage that is designed to complement the provincial healthcare system, along with life, disability and optional benefit plans that are designed for you and your eligible family members. - Retirement: You may also enroll in Equinix-sponsored retirement or savings plans: Defined Contribution Pension Plan (DCPP), Group Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax-Free Savings Plan (TSFA). - Vacation and Paid Holidays: Equinix offers both vacation and personal time, along with various paid holidays for you to rest and recharge. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits. Benefits are subject to specific plan or program terms, and to change at Equinix discretion.

Equinix is committed to ensuring that our employment process is open to all individuals, including those with a disability.  If you are a qualified candidate and need assistance or an accommodation, please let us know by completing this form.

Equinix is an Equal Employment Opportunity and, in the U.S., an Affirmative Action employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to unlawful consideration of race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, place of birth, citizenship, sex, pregnancy / childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic partnership status, age, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, political / organizational affiliation, status as a victim or family member of a victim of crime or abuse, or any other status protected by applicable law. 

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This posting is a new position within our organization.