About the role
- The Business Operations Catalyst team is Equinix’s internal consulting and sprint execution engine, partnering directly with senior leaders to solve the company’s most complex, high-impact enterprise problems
- Catalyst engagements typically run 3-6 months, rapidly mobilizing cross-functional teams to drive clarity, decisions, and actionable execution plans before transitioning ownership to the long-term business owner
- A Catalyst Strategy Director, Special Projects is a senior, business-facing leader who leads 1-3 initiatives simultaneously from problem definition through execution
- This role partners closely with executive leadership to frame complex decisions, synthesize insights into clear recommendations, and ensure programs deliver measurable business outcomes
- You serve as the primary driver, integrator and facilitator, guiding senior leaders through ambiguity, trade-offs, and critical decisions while ensuring work remains enterprise-aligned, actionable, and outcome-driven
- Frame and structure complex, ambiguous programs and engagements, rapidly identifying critical issues, priorities, and interdependencies
- Synthesize data, insights, and stakeholder perspectives into clear, actionable decision options
- Guide teams to apply the most appropriate problem-solving techniques. Own, oversee and challenge analytical work (e.g., financial, headcount, operational models) to ensure rigor, root cause clarity, and sound judgment
- Advise senior leaders on risks, implications, and downstream impacts, balancing strategy, execution realities, and enterprise considerations
- Facilitate high stakes, cross functional, and executive decision making forums, including E-Team discussions
- Set the standard for facilitation and decision framing – ensuring options are enterprise consistent, decisive, and clearly communicated
- Operate effectively in high pressure, emotionally charged environments with a solution oriented, enterprise mindset
- Manage escalations in partnership with executive sponsors, treating setbacks as opportunities for progress
- Coach and mentor more junior Catalyst team members, strengthening problem solving, facilitation, and leadership capability across the team
- Clearly understands and communicates the vision and objectives of the engagement, providing clear day-to-day direction to the team and business leads
- Own engagement framing and alignment with initiative leadership and executive sponsors
- Connect disparate inputs and synthesize complexity in real-time, driving clarity, alignment and momentum
- Communicate difficult messages constructively; listen actively and accurately reflect stakeholder perspectives
- Distill complexity into clear insights, structured narratives, and compelling recommendations
- Lead multiple complex, multi-work stream Catalyst programs concurrently, maintaining quality, consistency, and pace
- Establish appropriate governance, operating models, escalation paths, and decision forums
- Translate strategic intent into sequenced, prioritized execution plans that convert decisions into sustained action
- Own core program artifacts including charters, RAID logs, integrated project plans, and operating cadences
- Design and implement repeatable frameworks, templates, and governance mechanisms that strengthen the Catalyst operating model
- Partner with Change and Communications teams to embed change strategy and proactively mitigate adoption risks
- Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to the E-Team and senior leaders, influencing decisions through judgment, discretion, and insight
- Build rapid command of the business and educate leaders on tradeoffs, implications, and recommendations
- Model and reinforce an enterprise mindset across all engagements- This role requires expert synthesis capabilities, strong executive presence, and the ability to quickly connect dots across strategy and execution – setting the standard for how Catalyst engagements are run
- Proven success leading complex, cross functional initiatives with senior executives
- Strong executive presence and communication skills
- Exceptional problem solving, analytical, and synthesis skills
- Ability to pivot between the big picture and the details
- Proven experience in program and project management
- Tenacity, resilience, and a results driven mindset
- 8+ years of relevant experience; with management consulting or internal consulting experience
- Quick learner and ability to think on your feet
- High emotional intelligence and ability to influence
- Highly skilled in navigating ambiguity