Chief of Staff, Enterprise AI

Equinix•Toronto, ON

1d•$177,000 - $319,000•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

Prior Chief of Staff experience is valuable; equivalent operating leadership experience is equally relevant
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

Responsibilities

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
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
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
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