Public Policy and Government Affairs Director EMEA

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Job Summary

The One Legal team at Equinix is seeking a Director, Public Policy in our EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) region. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced candidate to strengthen our public policy presence in the region and interact with political and policy leaders to explain our products and services and promote the growth of digital infrastructure. 

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will provide leadership in the following key areas:

External Engagement

• Help manage day-to-day portfolio of the Company’s public policy agenda at various levels of government and in various regions where the Company maintains a physical presence and where the Company does business

• Participate in, lead, and advocate for public policy coalitions and trade associations aligned with the Company’s public policy agenda.  Serve as a key point of contact for the Company’s participation and/or support the participation of Company senior executives in those organizations

• Develop working relationships with key policy makers and regulators and their staffs to effectively advocate the Company’s public policy agenda. In addition to building relationships with policy makers at the institutions of the European Union, focus attention on building similar relationships with officials in EU member states and other countries across the region

• Position top Company executives in productive working relationships with the region’s policy leaders and facilitate their participation in thought leadership opportunities to advance the Company’s messaging and interests

• Participate in government public consultation exercises and work on public policy submissions (including those on regulatory initiatives and/or developments) directly with governments or via public policy coalitions and trade associations

•  Manage EMEA government affairs consulting firms to include ensuring they are coordinating with and supporting PPGA and Country Leadership  (MDs) and are coordinating and de conflicting with each-other

 Internal engagement

• Lead strategy development with the Company's leaders and coordinate internal cross-functional teams in EMEA to effectively respond to challenges and opportunities for the Company

• Identify emerging public policy issues related to the Company’s mid- and long-term business plans and develop internal and external policy positions, strategies, and analysis to influence the external landscape and advance the Company’s business priorities

• Participate in the development of the Company’s strategic public policy agenda through regular meetings and ongoing communications with the Company’s senior leadership, including our executive team, and the regional president

• Develop strong working relationships with the Company’s country Managing Directors (MDs) across the region.  Engage, support, and lead the MDs on policy issue development, messaging, trade association and coalition relationships, and policy maker engagement.  Assure consistency of messaging and policy positioning across entire region

• Develop strong working relationships with the Company’s global and regional functions on Sustainability, Legal Regulatory, Operations, Communications, Business Development and other key functions in order to assure cross-functional alignment and leverage

• Contribute to internal processes for handling public policy matters that arise on an emergency or unexpected basis so that the Company is prepared to respond in such cases

Education and Training

• Develop internal resources and independently lead efforts to educate employees about the Company’s public policy agenda

• Work with the Company’s public relations team and others to develop a robust set of materials that:

  • Educate policymakers about the Company’s business objectives, its importance to the foundational operations of the Internet, and its plans for future growth

  • Position the Company as a thought leader on central issues of importance to the Company

  • Emphasize the positive economic and cultural benefits of the Company’s global growth

  • Promote the Company’s commitment to sustainability and advocate for the opportunities digital transformation and the move to cloud and colocation have for efficiency and sustainability progress

  • Promote the Company’s commitment to Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) to develop a diverse, empowered, and effective workforce in order to address the needs of our communities

Qualifications

• Proven years of experience in government relations or public policy positions; prior service in government legislative/regulatory bodies a plus

• Bachelor’s degree; law or master’s degree a plus

• Exposure to policy issues in the areas of:

  • Data Centres

  • Technology

  • Cybersecurity and resilience

  • Sovereignty and data privacy

  • Energy, environment, sustainability policies, principles and corporate frameworks

  • Government procurement policy; and

  • National and local Tax policy

• Demonstrated high level of integrity, thoroughness, flexibility, initiative and teamwork

• Demonstrated self-guided initiative

• Excellent written and oral communication skills and interpersonal communication skills

• Excellent judgment

• Expectation for regular travel Brussels but also within the region to locations where Equinix has a presence

• Position based in Amsterdam or London

What We Offer

• The opportunity to leave your mark in a Company that is growing quickly whilst keeping a ground-breaking spirit

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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