Director, Real Estate

Who are we?

Equinix is the world’s digital infrastructure company®, shortening the path to connectivity to enable the innovations that enrich our work, life and planet. 
 

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

The Director of Real Estate plays a critical leadership role in expanding and optimizing the real estate footprint across the Americas (North and Latin America) for the colocation and hyperscale businesses. Reporting directly to the Senior Director, Real Estate, Americas, this position is responsible for leading high-impact real estate initiatives, including land acquisition, site development, M&A due diligence, and asset optimization strategies to support revenue growth and drive Adjusted Funds From Operations (AFFO).

This role requires a seasoned real estate professional with a deep understanding of development strategy, transaction execution, site selection and market dynamics within the data center or digital infrastructure sectors.

Responsibilities

• Lead real estate underwriting, diligence, and deal structuring efforts for strategic transactions across the Americas.

• Manage multiple concurrent site searches and acquisition initiatives, identifying new markets and optimizing entry strategies.

• Direct land acquisition, ground-up development, and build-to-suit initiatives in alignment with business growth objectives.

• Collaborate cross-functionally to support due diligence and real estate integration for M&A opportunities.

• Partner with regional business leaders to shape long-term metro and regional real estate strategies, including capital planning and forecasting.

• Negotiate complex real estate transactions—including land purchases, leases, expansions, and dispositions—with internal legal counsel and external advisors.

• Provide strategic input on asset management initiatives, including expansions, reconfigurations, lease administration, and portfolio optimization.

• Guide the development of site-specific business cases, including build-out plans, development budgets, and ROI models.

Real Estate Development Expertise

• Oversee the full lifecycle of real estate development projects—from site acquisition through entitlement, permitting, and construction interface.

• Drive pre-development activities including feasibility studies, zoning analysis, and engagement with municipalities and development partners.

• Collaborate with design and construction teams to ensure real estate deliverables align with commercial, operational, and infrastructure objectives.

Qualifications & Experience

• 10+ years of progressive experience in commercial real estate, site selection, or real estate development; data center or digital infrastructure experience highly preferred.

• Proven experience in sourcing and executing land acquisition and development projects across multiple geographies.

• Demonstrated success managing real estate strategy in high-growth, capital-intensive environments.

• Strong understanding of real estate finance, development risk management, and valuation methodologies.

• Excellent financial modeling skills, particularly in Excel; experience presenting to investment committees.

• Adept at building partnerships with senior leadership, legal, finance, construction, and engineering stakeholders.

• Effective communicator with strong negotiation and influencing skills.

• Comfortable navigating a complex, matrixed organization and managing multiple priorities simultaneously.

• Experience working in multinational corporate environments is highly advantageous.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Finance, Accounting, or related field required.

• Master’s degree (MBA or equivalent) strongly preferred.

• Real Estate License preferred.

• Experience with data center developers/operators, REITs, institutional investors, global brokerage firms, or investment banks preferred.