Director, Community Impact And The Equinix Foundation

Equinix is the world’s digital infrastructure company, operating 240+ data centers across the globe and providing interconnections to all the key clouds and networks. Businesses need one place to simplify and bring together fragmented, complex infrastructure that spans private and public cloud environments. Our global platform allows customers to place infrastructure wherever they need it and connect it to everything they need to succeed.

We are a fast-growing global company with 20 years of continuous growth. Through our innovative portfolio of high-performance products and services, we have created the largest, most active global ecosystem of 10,000+ companies, including 2,100 networks and 3,000+ cloud and IT service providers in 32 countries spanning six continents.  

A career at Equinix means you will collaborate on work that impacts the world and be surrounded by endless opportunities to learn new skills and grow in varied directions. We embrace diversity in thought and contribution and are committed to providing an equitable work environment. that is foundational to our core values as a company and is vital to our success.

Job Summary

Reporting to both Equinix’s Vice President, Global Head of Community, Diversity and Inclusion and President of The Equinix Foundation, the Director of Equinix Community Impact & The Equinix Foundation will be responsible for the overall planning and implementation of Equinix’s employee engagement & community impact strategies and the Equinix Foundation’s philanthropic strategy, in line with the Foundation’s vision and mission. We envision that 75% of the candidate’s time will be spent overseeing Equinix Foundation efforts while 25% will be focused on running Equinix’s Community Impact & employee engagement programming.

Responsibilities

Strategic Philanthropy & Partnerships

• Serve as internal expert on philanthropic best practices; research and keep abreast of issues, trends and exemplary programs in the Foundation's major program areas.
• Identify and develop strategic grant-making opportunities; work with current & potential grantees to fund innovative partnerships, projects & programs, in line with the Foundation’s vision and mission.
• Cultivate, build, and maintain strong and authentic relationships with a wide range of partners including NGO leaders, customers, and other potential funders.
• Work with the Foundation Board & Officers to develop a vision and grant-making strategy that supports the overall goals of the Equinix Foundation.
• Manage periodic evaluations of progress toward strategic objectives and develop recommendations for any appropriate strategic change.

Grant-Making & Administration

• Manage the grant portfolio and serve as the primary contact for grantee relationship (including grantee inquiries regarding the status of requests, grant agreements and payment procedures).
• Oversee grantee expenditures in meeting the goals of the grant; ensure compliance with the Foundation’s grant-making policies and procedures.
• Serve as a contact for internal stakeholders requesting grants-related information and materials for internal and external meetings, the audit, annual report & Sustainability Report.
• Monitor grantee performance by reviewing and summarizing grantee reports, maintaining positive relationships with grantees, following up with grantees as needed to obtain necessary information, providing technical assistance, and engaging in evaluation and problem-solving.
• Lead and direct grant-making strategy and processes (from application to grant distribution) and ensure compliance with all IRS requirements for private foundations.
• Identify potential grantees and oversee vetting, including assessment of the organization’s leadership, fiscal health, capacity, and impact.

Foundation Operations, Finance & Legal Compliance

• Serve as primary contact for all areas of Foundation management and lead day-to-day operations including overseeing budget & spending, annual financial audit, tax filings, and maintenance of correct and complete records for the healthy operation of the Foundation.
• Coordinate efforts across all Foundation resources to ensure Foundation goals are met.
• Advance the quality and effectiveness of team operations, policies and processes.
• Work with the Board, Treasurer and investment advisors to ensure that the Foundation's investments and financial management are effective and appropriately aligned with the Foundation's vision and mission.
• Remain up-to-date on changes in non-profit law to ensure that Foundation complies with state and federal regulations; maintain a high level of knowledge on issues and regulation applicable to charitable giving (accounting, legal, investment, etc.)
• Work with Foundation team, vendors, and cross-functional Foundation operations team (e.g. Legal, Finance, Treasury) to ensure bylaws, contracts, and process documentation are current, all income and expenses are tracked, and that all requirements are met for tracking inventory for annual audit.
• Oversee maintenance of accurate grant payment obligations.
• Oversee/manage relationships with vendors or outside consultants.
• Work with external accountants to develop and review financial statements and 990-PF.

Board Management & Foundation Governance

• Serve as the main point of contact for the Equinix Foundation Board of Directors and provide regular updates and implement processes for collecting feedback.
• Arrange and attend board meetings & activities including preparing agendas & Board packets; implement board directives; communicate with the Board between meetings.
• Help sustain highest standards in governance and best practices.

Community Impact & Employee Engagement

• Oversee employee volunteering & engagement program that involve thousands of Equinix employees each year and culminates in annual month of giving (Impact Month).
• Oversee and guide development and implementation of global community impact strategy.
• Lead global campaigns and initiatives to inspire employees to participate in our giving efforts.
• Conceive and deliver appropriate innovations that ensure Equinix’s community impact efforts are relevant.

Communications & Marketing

• Lead and partner with internal communicators to achieve multi-channel internal and external audience reach, mobilization, and engagement.
• Lead and oversee the Foundation’s and Community Impact team’s internal and external communications strategy and content to articulate the value of Equinix’s charitable giving and community impact programs to key stakeholders.
• Provide dynamic and effective thought leadership for Equinix’s efforts towards increased philanthropic perception, and other modes of global goodness engagement that supports impactful delivery of Equinix’s global goodness programs.

Team Management

• Lead and mentor the team responsible for implementing Equinix Foundation and Community Impact programs. Set clear expectations, share information about the Company’s priorities and objectives, and provide opportunities for professional growth.

Stakeholder Management

• Partner with Community & Belonging, Sustainability, Government Affairs, and employee engagement groups to collaborate on goals and key outcomes for our team’s efforts.

Impact Measurement

• Lead annual and ongoing reporting of Foundation. Prepare written periodic grant, program and other reports for the Board as requested.
• Lead strategy and processes to measure the impact and efficiency of programs, grants, and processes.

Qualifications

• In-house philanthropic giving experience within a major multi-national corporation preferred
• Ability to accurately assess nonprofit leadership, operational, and financial capacity and perform other due diligence required
• A history of fostering collaboration and actively seeking strategic partnerships
• Excellent analytical ability including the ability to summarize complex issues clearly and concisely and to develop and convey cogent recommendations
• Progressive management experience with budget accountability and requisite reporting
• Proven change management skills; the ability to influence and drive initiatives across functions, levels, and regions
• Ability to prioritize ongoing and new projects, as well as to conduct research, gather information, solve problems and make decisions
• Proven ability to tailor communications to different audiences and experience presenting to senior leaders
• Excellent judgment and demonstrated an ability to think critically and strategically about program design and implementation
• Experience as the face of an organization; well-developed interpersonal skills; superb oral and written communication skills; the ability to listen and present ideas clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences
• Strong proficiency in PowerPoint and Excel
• Evidence of developing and implementing strategy by being a strategic thinker, planner, and executor with an inclusive operating style that encourages engagement
• A self-starter with demonstrated experience successfully leading collaborative initiatives from concept to execution in partnership with multiple internal and external stakeholders
• BS/BA required; advanced degree desirable
• Experience in strong financial and organizational management; knowledge of financial instruments, rules, regulations, and standards for private foundations

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.

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.