Managing Director, UK

Equinix is the world’s digital infrastructure company®, operating over 250 data centers across the globe. Digital leaders harness Equinix's trusted platform to bring together and interconnect foundational infrastructure at software speed. Equinix enables organizations to access all the right places, partners and possibilities to scale with agility, speed the launch of digital services, deliver world-class experiences and multiply their value, while supporting their sustainability goals. 

A leadership role at Equinix means you will drive and collaborate on work that impacts the world. We embrace diversity in thought and contribution and are committed to providing an equitable work environment, which is foundational to our core values as a company and vital to our success.  

Job Summary 

Reporting to the President, EMEA, the Country Managing Director (MD) UK supports the execution of enterprise and regional strategies at the country level, considering country-specific opportunities and risks. Partnering with various departments to implement growth strategies, develop metro plans, and support xScale ramp-up, the Managing Director builds strong relationships with government and regulatory bodies as well as industry relationships in order to protect Equinix's reputation. The Managing Director plays a crucial role in influencing policy areas and implementing power/energy strategies, utilizing market knowledge and serving as an executive sponsor for key customers, promoting a culture of inclusion and innovation, overseeing crisis management, and championing the localized enablement of Equinix's operating system. 

Responsibilities 

Develop the market 

• Drive the market development for the UK 

• Responsibility within a matrix structure for the country business across sales, engineering, operations, customer success, marketing, commercial finance and HR 

• Influence Equinix strategic decisions and execution in country and across region 

• Monitoring local P&L and developing action plans with the relevant teams 

• Develop and drive Equinix’s expansion plans in both existing and new markets within the country in co-operation with the regional Corporate Development team 

• Inspirational leadership of the country team to deliver the Equinix strategic goals whilst securing high employee satisfaction and strong engagement of the team 

Lead the team 

• Lead the country cross-functional team, ensuring team cohesion and end-to-end alignment and delivery on strategy 

• Ensure personal alignment with retail focus and global strategy 

• Nurture, represent and grow the Equinix culture 

• Identify, motivate, sponsor, develop, and highlight key talent 

• Oversight of market execution including financial performance 

• Local legal responsible representative of Equinix in market 

• Flag risks to delivery of financial, business and organisational strategy 

• Work with regional function leaders to build a high performing local team 

• Responsible for organizational health in country, including eSat and strategic alignment 

• Ensure all employees understand our Purpose 

• Build an engaged, diverse workforce, inclusive workplace environment and empower all employees to make decisions at the right levels 

• Lead and manage through any crisis 

• Responsibility, within a matrix structure for the country business across sales, engineering, operations, customer success, marketing, commercial finance and HR 

• Influence Equinix strategic decisions and execution in country and across region 

Sell the Platform / Evolve the business 

• Actively support the development of key/strategic customers, channel partners and Strategic Alliances to build out eco-systems in market   

• Build strong relationship with government bodies, press and industry analysts/investors 

• Provide competitive market insights to commercial solutions on deals/opportunities and validate market view of the team 

• Lead Managed Services business in market (where relevant) 

• Provide counsel on complex deals and business decisions 

• Proactively support the xScale ramp up in local market, engaging across stakeholder groups. Support leaders and teams in Customer & Revenue, Design & Construction, Finance and Legal teams, to drive improvement in the velocity of decision-making, shortening execution time for joint-venture agreements (JVs), capturing customer demand and ensuring the timely and cost-effective delivery of our xScale data center builds 

• Work with the business to maintain and improve yield 

• Drive and actively support work efforts that improve interconnection density and increased adoption of Fabric 

Contribute to Regional & Global Success 

• Support/Lead Global/Regional projects and programs (churn mitigation, AR/AP escalation, fabric adoption, DI&B) 

• Align and represent global/regional strategy 

• Achieve regional P&L 

• Drive export growth 

• Be the local ambassador for initiatives that scale the core business 

Qualifications 

Setting strategy & influence Equinix strategic decisions and execution 

• Ability to determine and present clear strategic direction for the UK market with the emphasis on enterprise/retail business through channel partnership 

• Proven ability to see the ‘bigger long-term picture’ and think strategically while achieving short-term results 

• Ability to provide local business expertise to shape strategic decisions 

• Represent the market in development of global initiatives 

• Ensure new product launches are successfully communicated to the local market and contribute to the global product development process as required 

Executing for results 

• Focus on execution and results – establishing high standards for performance, setting goals and developing plans, following through, and holding people accountable for results 

• Driven, self-starting style with the impetus for growth and commercial success 

• Comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty; ability to adapt nimbly and lead others through complex situations 

Leading teams 

• A leader who is viewed by others as having impeccable integrity and forethought in their approach to making decisions; the ability to act transparently and consistently while considering what is best for the organization 

• Evidence of ability to lead, inspire and develop teams to achieve their full potential – a role model and senior advisor. Inclusive team leadership with natural authority and proven ability to lead in a global environment 

• Ability to attract and recruit top talent, motivate team, delegate effectively, celebrate diversity within team, and manage performance; widely viewed as a strong developer of others 

Experience and cultural guardianship 

• Extensive demonstrated track record in general management as a MD or enterprise sales leader 

• Ability to determine and present clear strategic direction for the country market with the emphasis on enterprise/retail business through channel partnership 

• Proven and entrepreneurial General Manager with previous P&L responsibility, and ideally with experience gained at a US/international technology company 

• Knowledge of the business challenges facing enterprise executives that are driving needs for interconnection services 

• Experience of establishing and scaling direct enterprise sales and partner models 

• Experience of selling to a whole spectrum of industries including network and mobile providers, cloud and IT services, content providers, financial services, automotive etc 

• Respect for the Equinix culture, demonstrated through own behaviour and that of team 

• Experience with recurring revenue, sales complexity, solution selling, readying platforms for B2B 

• Strong oral and written communication skills 

• Strong academic background in a relevant discipline. An MBA is an advantage 

• Adept at balancing intense short-term pressures with overall long-term goals  

• Ability to effectively collaborate through and resolve global/local trade-offs with an Equinix and partner-first mindset 

• Thoughtful, strategic, and skilled at planning initiatives, designating priorities, and being decisive when faced with ambiguity 

Equinix is an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability.