Director, Operations Compliance

Who are we?

Joining our operations team means being at the center of everything – maintaining and evolving critical infrastructure that powers the digital world and delivers real impact for our customers, communities and society. You’ll find belonging, purpose, and a team that welcomes you—because when you feel valued, you’re empowered to do your best work.

The Director, Operations Compliance is a strategic leadership role responsible for overseeing Operational Assurance, Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) compliance, regulatory affairs, and integrated security and facilities monitoring services across Australia and The Philippines.

Due to an internal promotion, we are looking to interview immediately, the role ensures alignment with global standards and local regulatory requirements while embedding a culture of compliance, risk management, and continuous improvement. 

Operating within Australia’s highly complex regulatory landscape—particularly in relation to critical infrastructure and classified data—the Director serves as the primary interface between Equinix and government stakeholders. The role ensures the organisation not only meets but exceeds regulatory obligations, while actively influencing policy development through engagement and advocacy for pragmatic, risk-based regulation. 

As a senior leader, the Director partners closely with Executive Management to align compliance strategy with business objectives and leverages regulatory excellence to create a differentiated value proposition for customers. 

Key Responsibilities:

Compliance, Assurance & Regulatory Oversight 

• Establish and oversee EHS and operational compliance frameworks across sites and regions 

• Ensure compliance with international and regulatory standards, including:  

• ISO standards, SSAE 16 / SOC frameworks, PCI-DSS 

• Other applicable regulatory and industry frameworks 

• Maintain deep knowledge of Australian regulatory requirements, particularly for critical infrastructure and sovereign operations 

• Act as escalation point for high-risk or enterprise-level compliance issues 

• Conduct and oversee root cause analysis of compliance breaches and implement preventative actions 

Government & External Engagement 

• Serve as the key intermediary between Equinix and Australian government bodies 

• Articulate how operations meet and exceed regulatory expectations, including classified and onshore requirements 

• Influence development of legislation and regulatory frameworks through proactive engagement 

• Represent Equinix in industry bodies, advisory boards, and regulatory forums 

• Collaborate with the Sales team on customer opportunities and briefings 

Audits & Certifications 

• Define and approve audit strategy and internal audit plans 

• Establish audit criteria, controls, and assurance methodologies 

• Provide executive oversight for audit findings and escalations 

• Manage certification portfolio across compliance domains 

• Approve new certification initiatives aligned with business and regulatory drivers 

Management Systems & Governance 

• Own and maintain compliance-related management systems and frameworks 

• Approve updates ensuring alignment with global, legal, and regulatory requirements 

• Develop and maintain local procedures to meet all standards and obligations

Program, Financial & Performance Management 

• Own and manage budgets using detailed bottoms-up planning and forecasting 

• Oversee compliance programs, projects, and global initiatives 

• Analyse metrics and performance data to identify risks and improvement opportunities 

• Ensure programs meet corporate expectations on budget, timeline, and outcomes 

Training & Capability Development 

• Define and implement global and regional compliance training strategies 

• Ensure capability uplift across data centre and operational teams 

• Align training programs with regulatory, operational, and strategic requirements 

First Line Responsibilities (Execution) 

• Lead implementation of compliance frameworks and initiatives 

• Drive delivery of global and regional compliance programs 

• Provide subject matter expertise on operational security and compliance strategy 

Second Line Responsibilities (Oversight & Assurance) 

• Measure and monitor the effectiveness and health of compliance programs 

• Define and track objectives for regional and global teams 

• Allocate resources and manage capability investment across the compliance function 

• Provide independent oversight and guidance on compliance risk management 

Strategy, Complexity & Problem Solving 

• Partner with senior leadership to define strategic direction and compliance objectives 

• Translate business strategy into functional and operational plans 

• Solve complex, ambiguous challenges where frameworks are evolving or incomplete 

• Develop methodologies, evaluation criteria, and governance approaches for compliance programs 

 Stakeholder Engagement & Influence 

• Engage with senior executives, regulators, and key customers on matters of strategic importance 

• Lead negotiations and reconcile competing stakeholder priorities 

• Position compliance as a strategic enabler and commercial differentiator 

Strategic Impact 

• Ensure compliance with Australia’s critical infrastructure and sovereign data requirements 

• Strengthen organisational trust with government and regulators 

• Translate regulatory complexity into competitive advantage 

• Enhance customer trust and differentiate Equinix in the market 

• Drive long-term outcomes with decisions impacting up to 5-year horizons 

Qualifications, key skills and attributes:

• Currently holding NV1 Security Clearance Ability to obtain and maintain

• 15+ years’ experience in compliance, risk, security and regulatory leadership 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant discipline preferred 

• Assurance certifications highly regarded (e.g., ISO lead auditor/implementer) 

• Extensive experience with standards and audit frameworks 

• Experience in incident response / crisis management preferred  
• Be a trusted advisor to executives and government stakeholders 

• Demonstrate deep expertise and network relationships across regulated environments 

• Balance risk, compliance, and commercial outcomes 

• Lead with strategic vision and operational excellence 

• Position compliance as a business enabler and market differentiator 

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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This posting is for a backfill position, meaning it is to fill an existing vacancy within our organization.