Senior Legal Counsel - Channel & Partner Programs

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A place where bold ideas are welcomed, human connection is valued, and everyone has the opportunity to shape their future.A career at Equinix means being at the center of shaping what comes next and amplifying customer value through innovation and impact. You’ll work across teams, influence key decisions, and help shape the path forward. You’ll find belonging, purpose, and a team that welcomes you—because when you feel valued, you’re empowered to do your best work.

Job Summary

We are seeking a strategic, business-minded Senior Legal Counsel to help shape the future of Equinix’s global Channel and Partner Ecosystem. This newly created role comes at an important point of transformation as our Channel and Partner organization evolves and we build the legal infrastructure needed to support its next stage of growth.

Reporting directly to a Vice President within Legal, you will have meaningful ownership of this space and work closely with senior leaders across Channel, Partner, Product and Legal. You’ll inherit some established ways of working, but significant white space remains to shape what comes next, giving you the opportunity to bring your experience and perspective to build the frameworks, governance, templates, processes and legal operating model that will support the program at scale.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building, solving complex problems and creating structure where the answer has not already been defined. Your impact will extend beyond individual agreements or transactions: you will help establish the scalable legal foundation for how Equinix partners and goes to market.

Responsibilities

Channel & Partner Program Development

• Serve as a key legal partner to Channel and Partner leadership, advising on new partner initiatives, routes to market and evolving business models
• Partner with the business to build and mature the legal operating model supporting Channel and Partner programs, including governance, engagement models, program structures and business rules
• Translate business strategy into practical legal frameworks that can be implemented and scaled across the organization
• Bring external perspective and best practices while adapting solutions to Equinix’s business, systems, processes and operating environment

Legal Frameworks & Scalability

• Develop and evolve the legal frameworks supporting Channel and Partner programs, including partner agreements, templates, program terms, approved positions, fallback language and escalation paths
• Help define legal approaches for different partner motions, including reseller, referral, alliance, distribution and emerging partner models
• Partner with Legal Operations and cross-functional teams to translate legal requirements into workable processes, systems and scalable solutions
• Identify opportunities to simplify existing ways of working while building frameworks that support future growth

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Partner across Legal, Ethics & Compliance, Privacy, Security, Finance, Tax and other teams to identify and address legal and regulatory considerations within partner programs
• Help establish practical governance and risk-management frameworks covering approvals, controls, exceptions and accountability
• Provide pragmatic legal guidance that enables business objectives while appropriately managing risk

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Build trusted relationships across Channel, Partner, Product, Sales, Revenue Operations and Legal
• Navigate complex stakeholder environments and bring teams together around solutions that work end-to-end
• Provide clear, practical counsel when business goals need to be balanced with legal, operational or systems considerations
• Operate with a high degree of independence and ownership while collaborating closely across the organization

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent, with an active license to practice law and eligibility to practice as in-house counsel where required
• 7+ years of relevant legal experience in a law firm and/or in-house legal department
• Meaningful experience supporting Channel, Partner, strategic partnership and/or indirect sales programs, such as reseller, referral, alliance, marketplace or distribution models
• Demonstrated experience building, scaling or materially improving the legal frameworks, agreements, governance or operating model supporting a Channel or Partner program
• Strong commercial contracting foundation with an understanding of the processes, systems and operational dependencies needed to make legal solutions scalable
• Strong business judgment, communication and influence skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, work independently and translate complex legal considerations into practical solutions
• Experience in a global or complex organization, legal operations/contracting technology, or the data center, managed services or networking industry is a plus

The targeted pay range for this position in the following location is / locations are:

Canada - Toronto Office TRO : 158,000 - 236,000 CAD / Annual

United States - Dallas Infomart Office DAI : 181,000 - 272,000 USD / 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. 

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