Chief of Staff (Enterprise AI)

Equinix; Texas; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Equinix is seeking a strategic advisor to the Chief AI Officer to shape and execute the enterprise AI agenda across governance, adoption, and ecosystem initiatives. You will translate priorities into funded plans and measurable outcomes, strengthening executive decision-making and enabling the AI leadership team to operate effectively across a global organization.

You will partner with the CAIO to define the AI strategy, develop investment roadmaps, and prepare decision briefs with financial

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of enterprise AI and technology operating models.
• Ability to translate priorities into funded plans and measurable outcomes.
• Experience shaping executive-level strategy and governance.
• Proven track record in budget planning, benefits measurement, and investment prioritization.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the CAIO to define and communicate enterprise AI strategy, priorities, and investment roadmap.
• Develop decision briefs with recommendations, alternatives, and risk analysis.
• Lead strategic initiatives from problem definition to delivery and transition ongoing work to teams.
• Own the AI leadership team’s operating rhythm, portfolio visibility, and governance processes.
• Prepare executive materials, board memos, and external communications for AI initiatives.

Skills

Enterprise AI

Strategic planning

Executive advisory

Budget planning

Cross-functional leadership

Job description

• 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
• 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
• The successful candidate combines independent judgment, practical AI fluency, and hands-on executionThey anticipate what needs attention, challenge assumptions constructively, and take ownership of complex work from initial framing through completionCalm leadership: Remain effective under pressure, recognize when to act independently and when to elevate, and put team outcomes firstStrong 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 leadersStrong financial and analytical acumen, with experience in business cases, investment prioritization, budget planning, and benefits measurementTrust and discretion: Handle sensitive matters with integrity and the confidence to challenge respectfullyExperience personally developing executive communications, Board materials, and strategic plans that require limited revision and support consequential decisions10+ 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 resultsExperience partnering with C-suite executives through ambiguity and organizational change. Prior Chief of Staff experience is valuable; equivalent operating leadership experience is equally relevantExecution discipline: Take ownership without waiting for detailed direction and close commitments reliablyLearning agility: Develop technical and business context quickly, use AI tools effectively, and verify their outputsInfluence and collaboration: Build credibility across functions and hold peers accountable while preserving trustProven experience delivering complex initiatives across a large, global, matrixed organization, including resolving competing priorities and recovering work that is off trackStrategic judgment: Frame the right problem, make trade-offs, and offer an independent point of viewExecutive communication: Synthesize complex issues into concise, accurate writing and clear discussion