Director, Real Estate

Who are we?

Equinix is the world’s digital infrastructure company®, operating over 260 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 career at Equinix means you will collaborate on work that impacts the world and be surrounded by endless opportunities to learn new skills and grow in varied directions. We embrace diversity in thought and contribution and are committed to providing an equitable work environment that is foundational to our core values as a company and is vital to our success. 

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.

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

• San Francisco, CA / Bay Area: $179,000 to $269,000 per year
• California (Non-SF/Bay Area), Connecticut, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Washington state: $171,000 to $257,000 per year

Our pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum target for new hire pay for the full-time position determined by role, level, and location. Individual pay is based on additional factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education and/or training.

This position may be offered in other locations. Your recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

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.

As an employee, you become important to Equinix’s success. Details about our company benefits can be found at the following link:

USA Benefits eBook

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.