[Hiring] Director, Ecosystem Development Incubation @Equinix

Role Description

The Ecosystem Development team is seeking a highly strategic, intellectually curious, and execution-oriented leader to help shape and scale Equinix's next generation ecosystem initiatives. This role sits at the intersection of technology strategy, ecosystem development, business incubation, and go-to-market transformation. The ideal candidate combines the structured problem-solving and analytical rigor of a corporate strategist with the adaptability of an entrepreneur and the technical curiosity required to navigate emerging technologies such as AI, cloud, networking, and digital infrastructure.

This is not a traditional business development role. We are looking for a builder and strategic thinker who can move seamlessly between developing market and technology strategies, building commercialization plans, evaluating ecosystem opportunities, and driving execution of high-impact initiatives. The successful candidate will thrive in ambiguity, rapidly learn new domains, and help transform ideas into scalable programs, offerings, and go-to-market motions.

Responsibilities

• Ecosystem & Technology Strategy
  • Develop strategic recommendations that shape Equinix's ecosystem, partner, and AI growth initiatives.
  • Analyze emerging technology trends, customer needs, competitive movements, and ecosystem opportunities.
  • Conduct market sizing, business case development, and financial modeling to support investment decisions.
  • Build executive-level strategy papers, business reviews, and recommendations for senior leadership.
  • Help define long-term ecosystem and technology strategy in support of company growth objectives.
• AI Ecosystem Incubation
  • Help identify, evaluate, and incubate new AI ecosystem opportunities.
  • Support development of ecosystem magnet initiatives and emerging partner programs.
  • Translate partner opportunities into scalable business models and repeatable operating motions.
  • Develop frameworks for ecosystem engagement, commercialization, enablement, and scale.
  • Partner with business development leaders to move opportunities from concept to repeatable execution.
• Strategic Initiatives
  • Lead complex, cross-functional initiatives that span Product, Technology, GTM, Operations, Marketing, Finance, and Partnerships.
  • Structure ambiguous problems and bring analytical rigor to strategic decision making.
  • Build operating models, decision frameworks, and playbooks that enable organizational scale.
  • Drive initiatives from assessment through validation, commercialization, and scale.
• Commercialization & Go-To-Market
  • Develop scalable go-to-market models for emerging ecosystem solutions.
  • Create repeatable playbooks for partner recruitment, activation, co-selling, and ecosystem growth.
  • Define success metrics, performance models, and operational requirements for new initiatives.
  • Work closely with GTM, Channel, and Sales organizations to support adoption and scale.
• Technical & Analytical Leadership
  • Develop deep working knowledge of AI, cloud, networking, digital infrastructure, and ecosystem architectures.
  • Translate complex technical concepts into business opportunities and strategic recommendations.
  • Build sophisticated financial, business, and operating models to evaluate opportunities and guide decision making.
  • Serve as a connective tissue between business strategy, technical teams, and ecosystem partners.

What Success Looks Like

• Become a trusted strategic partner across Product, Ecosystem Development, GTM, and executive leadership.
• Help shape key AI ecosystem initiatives and commercialization strategies.
• Build scalable playbooks and operating models that accelerate ecosystem growth.
• Bring greater structure, rigor, and analytical depth to emerging initiatives.
• Translate partner opportunities into repeatable programs and measurable business outcomes.
• Help move strategic initiatives from concept to validated growth engines.

Qualifications

• Naturally curious and energized by learning new technologies, industries, and business models.
• A structured thinker who enjoys solving complex problems.
• Equally comfortable developing strategy and driving execution.
• Strong analytical and financial modeling skills.
• Able to quickly become conversant in new technical domains.
• Comfortable operating in highly ambiguous environments.
• Known for taking initiative and figuring things out without being handed a playbook.
• Collaborative and influential across organizational boundaries.
• Possess a growth mindset and a strong desire to continuously learn and expand your expertise.

Preferred Background

• 8+ years of experience in corporate strategy, technology strategy, management consulting, venture investing, product strategy, ecosystem development, corporate development, or a related field.
• Experience developing executive-level strategic recommendations and business cases.
• Strong financial modeling, market analysis, and operational planning capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives from strategy through execution.
• Familiarity with AI, cloud, digital infrastructure, networking, SaaS, platforms, or technology ecosystems.
• Experience building commercialization strategies, operating models, or ecosystem programs.
• MBA or equivalent strategic and analytical experience preferred.

Compensation

• United States - CA Bay Area: 218,000 - 328,000 USD / Annual
• United States - Other posted locations not specifically listed: 181,000 - 272,000 USD / Annual
• United States - CA Non-Bay Area, AK, CT, DC, IL, MD, MA, NJ, NY, VA, WA: 200,000 - 300,000 USD / Annual
• United States - Redwood City Office GHQ: 218,000 - 328,000 USD / Annual

Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program available to all employees.
• Insurance: Health, life, disability, and voluntary plans available for you and your eligible family members.
• Retirement: Contributions to a retirement plan to help you plan for your financial future.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays: Accrued PTO each pay period along with various paid holidays.