Director, Enterprise Data Governance

Job Summary

The Enterprise Data Governance and Quality team is part of the Data Innovation Office within the Enterprise Data and Analytics organization (EDNA). Our mission is to implement an enterprise model for data governance at Equinix to elevate data as a critical asset supporting operational velocity and efficiency. We are seeking a Director of Enterprise Data Governance to lead our data governance strategy, own the data governance product portfolio and program roadmap, and lead global teams. This role promotes data as a strategic asset for Equinix and plays a critical role in defining enterprise data governance policies, standard requirements, and program metrics to drive data strategy forward while achieving business objectives. They are instrumental in defining and socializing the data governance roadmap, considering technical, financial, and people resources for successful execution and delivery. They develop and cultivate business and partner relationships, inspire individual and team growth, and manage data governance team members located across the globe. The scope spans enterprise data platforms and business processes, including master, reference, and semantic data models, and analytical solutions where governed data optimizes costs, mitigates risk, ensures regulatory compliance, and strengthens business operations. Through collaboration with Privacy, Compliance, Information Security, Legal, and AI teams, the Equinix data governance strategy will become a strategic enabler driving teams to faster, more accurate decision-making while supporting responsible data reusability. The Director of Enterprise Data Governance uses creativity to develop enterprise governance education and awareness programs, evaluates and implements data governance tools and technologies, and stays updated with industry best practices and regulatory requirements. Success in this role requires exceptional communication skills with an emphasis on empathy and interaction with senior business and technology partners globally. This role will collaborate closely with stakeholders across lines of business, corporate functions, and partner teams to ensure tight connections across globally federated teams.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain the Enterprise Data Governance framework and operating model, including policy, standards, and metrics to ensure enterprise data is managed consistently and optimizes processes.
• Lead Core Data Management practice, including functional and operational teams, to ensure data is high quality, understood, and used according to purpose.
• Establish an aligned multi-year roadmap with data domain and application owners, holding programs accountable to mitigate data governance gaps according to the Enterprise Data Governance Policy.
• Design, implement, and administer data governance tools and capabilities to facilitate data literacy, monitor and measure data quality, alert on metadata changes, visualize data lineage, and measure program success.
• Work closely with Application, Infosec, and Legal teams to ensure data privacy and security measures are in place, including data access controls, data classification, and data retention policies.
• Collaborate across business units, data domain owners, and stewards responsible for data quality, data classification, and data lifecycle management.
• Establish an aligned secure-deletion roadmap with Legal, data domains, and application owners to ensure data lifecycle and retention policies are established across enterprise applications, data platforms, and analytics portfolios.
• Establish the enterprise data governance operating model at the Executive Data Council leadership level with cross-functional agendas, escalation, and financial requests.
• Establish and lead data governance forums, risk panels, and Data Domain working groups with regular cadences, escalating requests to the Executive Data Council as needed.
• Drive ongoing program assessments for Enterprise Data Governance effectiveness and establish maturity metrics to drive continuous improvement by the program team.
• Foster value creation of enterprise data assets and support the growth of commercialized data products and external data ecosystems for customers.
• Develop and deliver enterprise educational programs and awareness campaigns to promote data governance best practices, ensure data literacy, and assist in driving new opportunities for data democratization across the organization.

People Leadership

• Manage team performance by motivating, developing, and coaching.
• Drive the people development strategy, including enhancing capabilities.
• Provide leadership and guidance for escalations to other strategy and insights / cross-functional stakeholders.
• Challenge existing managed processes based on industry best practices and trends to ensure Equinix maintains a best-in-class approach.
• Model the Equinix culture, Transformational Leadership behaviors, and Magic of Equinix values.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Data Science, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related field.
• Substantial/minimum of 10 years of experience in data management, data governance, analytics, or a related field.
• Experience in data compliance, security, and best practices.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven track record of building strong relationships with business stakeholders.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional stakeholders across Finance, IT, Engineering, AI, and Data Science.
• Dynamic, forward-thinking leader with a bias for action, rapid experimentation, and the ability to break down complex problems and deliver novel solutions.
• Experience managing a team of data professionals, in addition to contingent and outsourced labor. Proven experience in vendor management and managing third-party vendors to drive KPIs.
• Experience with multiple data platforms (e.g., BigQuery, Azure, Reltio) and tools (e.g., Tableau, PowerBI, Collibra, Dataplex) preferred.

Skills and Attributes

• Analytical thinker and problem solver with the ability to work under pressure and multitask while managing a team and driving process improvements.
• Strong understanding of MDM principles, data modeling, and data lifecycle management.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills; prior experience presenting to executive management.
• People-focused leader with the proven ability to build creative, collaborative teams, develop people, and link performance to overall business objectives.
• Ability to build and maintain strong business relationships with key stakeholders as a trusted advisor.
• Ability to demonstrate ownership and proactively drive initiatives.

This posting is for a backfill position, meaning it is to fill an existing vacancy within our organization. The targeted pay range for this position in the following location is / locations are: United States - Dallas Infomart Office DAI : 155,000 - 233,000 USD / Annual United States - Tampa Office TAO : 155,000 - 233,000 USD / Annual Canada - Toronto Office TRO : 154,000 - 232,000 CAD / Annual Our pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum target for new hire pay for the full-time position determined by role, level, and location. The pay range shown is based on our compensation structure in place at the time of posting and may be updated periodically based on business needs. Individual pay is based on additional factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education and/or training. The targeted pay range listed reflects the base pay only and does not include bonus, equity, or benefits. Employees are eligible for bonus, and equity may be offered depending on the position. Equinix Benefits As an employee, you become important to Equinix’s success. We ensure all your benefits are in line with our core values: competitive, inclusive, sustainable, connected and efficient. We keep them competitive within the current marketplace to ensure we’re providing you with the best package possible. So, wherever you are in your career and life, you’ll be able to enhance your experience and bring your whole self to work. Employee Assistance Program: An Employee Assistance program is available to all employees. US Benefits:

• Insurance: You may enroll in health, life, disability and voluntary plans that are designed for you and your eligible family members.
• Retirement: You and Equinix may contribute to a retirement plan to help you plan for your financial future.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays: You will receive an accrued amount of PTO each pay period along with various paid holidays for you to rest and recharge. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific plan or program terms.

Canada Core Benefits:

• Insurance: You may enroll in healthcare coverage that is designed to complement the provincial healthcare system, along with life, disability and optional benefit plans that are designed for you and your eligible family members.
• Retirement: You may also enroll in Equinix-sponsored retirement or savings plans: Defined Contribution Pension Plan (DCPP), Group Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax-Free Savings Plan (TSFA).
• Vacation and Paid Holidays: Equinix offers both vacation and personal time, along with various paid holidays for you to rest and recharge. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits. Benefits are subject to specific plan or program terms, and to change at Equinix discretion.

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. We use artificial intelligence in our hiring process. Learn more here.

Key skills/competency

• Data Governance
• Data Management
• Data Quality
• Policy Development
• Roadmap Strategy
• Stakeholder Management
• Team Leadership
• Data Compliance
• Data Security
• MDM Principles