Director of Contracts Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Director of Contracts roles qualify as specialty occupations under the H-1B visa, making them viable for employer-sponsored visa candidates with a relevant bachelor's degree. Employers in defense, healthcare, and tech regularly file LCAs for this title, and the role's seniority often supports EB-2 green card pathways without a lengthy PERM queue.
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Get Access To All JobsSenior Director, Legal, Global Contracts
- JR-164435
- Hybrid
- Toronto
- Dallas
- Legal
- Full time
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
We are more than legal professionals protecting Equinix’s interests. We are valued business partners, known as responsive, consistent and proactive. We take customer service seriously and strive for excellence in our execution. Equinix’s dynamic growth trajectory keeps us on our toes and constantly learning. Our strong relationships with our internal clients, fueled by our solution-driven orientation and creative yet practical advice, bring us to the table early and often and lead to interesting and rewarding work in support of Equinix’s overall business objectives.
Our global Legal department may span four continents, but we are One Legal - a true team working together across borders in support of our shared strategic objectives. We work hard but take time to celebrate our accomplishments – both professional and personal, with a healthy dose of fun thrown in along the way. We look forward to coming to work every day to support Equinix and each other and highly value the “team first” culture we have created. We are proud that our collective effort has led to Equinix One Legal being named as one of the Top Innovative Law Departments in North America by the Financial Times.
This open role of Senior Director, Americas will be responsible for supporting one of the 2 Strategic accounts teams and is the leader of the Global Contracts Americas region team. Responsible for the team’s contracting support for named accounts and as lead representing the Americas Region, this role is instrumental in leading these teams and closing complex, strategic deals and keeping abreast of the legal developments in the region. This role advises the business in alignment with corporate goals and objectives and risk thresholds in a manner that supports the objectives for the global business. Adept at using and leveraging technology to better scale the organization, this role oversees deals which have significant impact to the business, specifically the Americas business and is charged with building relationships with our Americas stakeholders and in concert with others in the Global Contracts team, to take charge of specialized areas which are entrusted to them by the Vice President Global Contracts or the Chief Legal Officer as the case may be.
Location
Americas-based. The role must be positioned to provide effective leadership and senior stakeholder coverage across Americas working hours, while operating globally across time zones.
Reports to
Vice President, Legal, Global Contracts.
Responsibilities
This role is a senior people leader, commercial lawyer and trusted business adviser responsible for these mandates:
Americas leadership
- Lead and coordinate Global Contracts’ presence and engagement across the Americas, representing GC with Americas business leadership and ensuring that regional priorities are understood, translated into clear legal support strategies and delivered effectively
- Translate Americas priorities and risks into clear legal support plans, ensuring GC is engaged early and support is responsive, consistent and commercially pragmatic
- Provide senior escalation support on significant Americas and strategic matters (including complex customer negotiations, strategic opportunities, disputes, public-sector opportunities outside the US Federal business), coordinate Americas-based GC colleagues, and manage external counsel where required
Leadership of Strategics team and its named-account portfolio
- Lead the team, setting its vision, strategy and operating model, with overall accountability for legal support to its portfolio of named AI, Neocloud, SaaS and semiconductor accounts, Channel/OEM accounts
- Maintain close oversight of account strategy, pipeline, risk, resourcing and escalations, and ensure effective delivery across the full deal lifecycle
- Partner with the Channel Lead on Channel go-to-market support, collaborate with other GC and One Legal leaders where needed and/or portfolios intersect, and shape the team's future structure as it matures
Complex deal leadership and negotiation
- Personally lead or oversee the most complex, strategic and high-value transactions, operating as an experienced and credible negotiator across customers, partners, external counsel and senior stakeholders
- Balance commercial, legal and operational considerations, present clear recommendations to executives, and drive matters to closure
- Convert deal experience into scalable positions, templates and training, while mentoring the team to build negotiating capability and domain knowledge
People leadership and capability development
- Lead, coach and develop a team of lawyers and contracts professionals, setting a clear vision, objectives and a collaborative, high-performing "team first" culture
- Provide clear direction, candid feedback and meaningful development; manage performance fairly and recognise strong contribution
- Close capability gaps through mentoring and succession planning, and develop future leaders able to work across boundaries
Global Contracts leadership
- Act as a full member of the GC leadership team, contributing to strategy, operating model, talent, culture and resourcing
- Work with peer leaders to build consistency across teams while respecting portfolio and regional differences
- Support global initiatives (policy, process, technology, transformation) and model enterprise leadership across GC and One Legal
Technology, transformation and scale
- Champion technology, including AI tools, to improve service delivery, reporting and decision-making, and drive standardisation to increase capacity
- Ensure the team adopts GC platforms, processes and knowledge resources, using data to monitor workload, risk and performance
- Lead transformation in a way that builds team capability and confidence, not just system adoption
Governance, risk and operational excellence
- Work with the VP, Global Contracts to apply practical risk frameworks, policies and escalation paths, ensuring consistency with Company policy and governance
- Oversee work allocation, resourcing, budget and external counsel use, with clear reporting on significant matters and risks
- Promote collaboration with shared-services teams and drive operational excellence through accountability and continuous improvement
Qualifications
The successful candidate will bring:
- A law degree and admission to practise in a relevant jurisdiction (e.g. a state in the United States of America)
- Substantial post-qualification legal experience appropriate for a Senior Director role, preferably including at least 15 years of experience in a similar role (having at least five years of strong law-firm experience is a preference)
- Deep experience in negotiating and in commercial contracting and in leading complex, strategic, high-value and high-impact transactions
- Demonstrated success as a people leader, with a genuine interest in managing, coaching and developing lawyers and contracts professionals
- A clear leadership vision and experience evolving a team’s capabilities, structure, operating model or strategic direction
- Experience supporting senior business leaders in an international, fast-moving and commercially demanding environment
- Experience operating successfully in a matrix organisation and working across functions, reporting lines, geographies and time zones
- Strong commercial and legal judgement, with the ability to assess risk, balance legal and business considerations and recommend practical solutions
- Executive presence and the confidence to advise, challenge and influence the most senior leaders in the organisation
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex matters clearly, concisely and persuasively
- Strong emotional intelligence, interpersonal awareness and cultural sensitivity, with an ability to relate effectively to people at all levels
- Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to prioritise competing short-term pressures while progressing longer-term objectives
- A pragmatic, adaptable, proactive and solution-oriented approach, including the confidence to make decisions quickly and drive action in ambiguous situations
- Experience working with Channel arrangements, partnerships, indirect go-to-market models or comparable commercial ecosystems
- A strong interest in emerging technology markets, particularly data centre, AI, Neocloud infrastructure, SaaS, or related technology sectors
- A strong understanding of how technology, data, process and knowledge management can scale a legal organisation and improve business outcomes
- Willingness and ability to work flexibly across global time zones when important transactions, customers or leadership responsibilities require it
- A leadership style and personal approach consistent with Equinix and One Legal culture and values
The targeted pay range for this position in the following location is / locations are:
United States - Dallas Infomart Office DAI : 230,000 - 344,000 USD / Annual
Canada - Toronto Office TRO : 223,000 - 335,000 CAD / 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 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.
We use artificial intelligence in our hiring process. Learn more here.
This posting is a new position within our organization.
Senior Director, Legal, Global Contracts
- JR-164435
- Hybrid
- Toronto
- Dallas
- Legal
- Full time
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
We are more than legal professionals protecting Equinix’s interests. We are valued business partners, known as responsive, consistent and proactive. We take customer service seriously and strive for excellence in our execution. Equinix’s dynamic growth trajectory keeps us on our toes and constantly learning. Our strong relationships with our internal clients, fueled by our solution-driven orientation and creative yet practical advice, bring us to the table early and often and lead to interesting and rewarding work in support of Equinix’s overall business objectives.
Our global Legal department may span four continents, but we are One Legal - a true team working together across borders in support of our shared strategic objectives. We work hard but take time to celebrate our accomplishments – both professional and personal, with a healthy dose of fun thrown in along the way. We look forward to coming to work every day to support Equinix and each other and highly value the “team first” culture we have created. We are proud that our collective effort has led to Equinix One Legal being named as one of the Top Innovative Law Departments in North America by the Financial Times.
This open role of Senior Director, Americas will be responsible for supporting one of the 2 Strategic accounts teams and is the leader of the Global Contracts Americas region team. Responsible for the team’s contracting support for named accounts and as lead representing the Americas Region, this role is instrumental in leading these teams and closing complex, strategic deals and keeping abreast of the legal developments in the region. This role advises the business in alignment with corporate goals and objectives and risk thresholds in a manner that supports the objectives for the global business. Adept at using and leveraging technology to better scale the organization, this role oversees deals which have significant impact to the business, specifically the Americas business and is charged with building relationships with our Americas stakeholders and in concert with others in the Global Contracts team, to take charge of specialized areas which are entrusted to them by the Vice President Global Contracts or the Chief Legal Officer as the case may be.
Location
Americas-based. The role must be positioned to provide effective leadership and senior stakeholder coverage across Americas working hours, while operating globally across time zones.
Reports to
Vice President, Legal, Global Contracts.
Responsibilities
This role is a senior people leader, commercial lawyer and trusted business adviser responsible for these mandates:
Americas leadership
- Lead and coordinate Global Contracts’ presence and engagement across the Americas, representing GC with Americas business leadership and ensuring that regional priorities are understood, translated into clear legal support strategies and delivered effectively
- Translate Americas priorities and risks into clear legal support plans, ensuring GC is engaged early and support is responsive, consistent and commercially pragmatic
- Provide senior escalation support on significant Americas and strategic matters (including complex customer negotiations, strategic opportunities, disputes, public-sector opportunities outside the US Federal business), coordinate Americas-based GC colleagues, and manage external counsel where required
Leadership of Strategics team and its named-account portfolio
- Lead the team, setting its vision, strategy and operating model, with overall accountability for legal support to its portfolio of named AI, Neocloud, SaaS and semiconductor accounts, Channel/OEM accounts
- Maintain close oversight of account strategy, pipeline, risk, resourcing and escalations, and ensure effective delivery across the full deal lifecycle
- Partner with the Channel Lead on Channel go-to-market support, collaborate with other GC and One Legal leaders where needed and/or portfolios intersect, and shape the team's future structure as it matures
Complex deal leadership and negotiation
- Personally lead or oversee the most complex, strategic and high-value transactions, operating as an experienced and credible negotiator across customers, partners, external counsel and senior stakeholders
- Balance commercial, legal and operational considerations, present clear recommendations to executives, and drive matters to closure
- Convert deal experience into scalable positions, templates and training, while mentoring the team to build negotiating capability and domain knowledge
People leadership and capability development
- Lead, coach and develop a team of lawyers and contracts professionals, setting a clear vision, objectives and a collaborative, high-performing "team first" culture
- Provide clear direction, candid feedback and meaningful development; manage performance fairly and recognise strong contribution
- Close capability gaps through mentoring and succession planning, and develop future leaders able to work across boundaries
Global Contracts leadership
- Act as a full member of the GC leadership team, contributing to strategy, operating model, talent, culture and resourcing
- Work with peer leaders to build consistency across teams while respecting portfolio and regional differences
- Support global initiatives (policy, process, technology, transformation) and model enterprise leadership across GC and One Legal
Technology, transformation and scale
- Champion technology, including AI tools, to improve service delivery, reporting and decision-making, and drive standardisation to increase capacity
- Ensure the team adopts GC platforms, processes and knowledge resources, using data to monitor workload, risk and performance
- Lead transformation in a way that builds team capability and confidence, not just system adoption
Governance, risk and operational excellence
- Work with the VP, Global Contracts to apply practical risk frameworks, policies and escalation paths, ensuring consistency with Company policy and governance
- Oversee work allocation, resourcing, budget and external counsel use, with clear reporting on significant matters and risks
- Promote collaboration with shared-services teams and drive operational excellence through accountability and continuous improvement
Qualifications
The successful candidate will bring:
- A law degree and admission to practise in a relevant jurisdiction (e.g. a state in the United States of America)
- Substantial post-qualification legal experience appropriate for a Senior Director role, preferably including at least 15 years of experience in a similar role (having at least five years of strong law-firm experience is a preference)
- Deep experience in negotiating and in commercial contracting and in leading complex, strategic, high-value and high-impact transactions
- Demonstrated success as a people leader, with a genuine interest in managing, coaching and developing lawyers and contracts professionals
- A clear leadership vision and experience evolving a team’s capabilities, structure, operating model or strategic direction
- Experience supporting senior business leaders in an international, fast-moving and commercially demanding environment
- Experience operating successfully in a matrix organisation and working across functions, reporting lines, geographies and time zones
- Strong commercial and legal judgement, with the ability to assess risk, balance legal and business considerations and recommend practical solutions
- Executive presence and the confidence to advise, challenge and influence the most senior leaders in the organisation
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex matters clearly, concisely and persuasively
- Strong emotional intelligence, interpersonal awareness and cultural sensitivity, with an ability to relate effectively to people at all levels
- Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to prioritise competing short-term pressures while progressing longer-term objectives
- A pragmatic, adaptable, proactive and solution-oriented approach, including the confidence to make decisions quickly and drive action in ambiguous situations
- Experience working with Channel arrangements, partnerships, indirect go-to-market models or comparable commercial ecosystems
- A strong interest in emerging technology markets, particularly data centre, AI, Neocloud infrastructure, SaaS, or related technology sectors
- A strong understanding of how technology, data, process and knowledge management can scale a legal organisation and improve business outcomes
- Willingness and ability to work flexibly across global time zones when important transactions, customers or leadership responsibilities require it
- A leadership style and personal approach consistent with Equinix and One Legal culture and values
The targeted pay range for this position in the following location is / locations are:
United States - Dallas Infomart Office DAI : 230,000 - 344,000 USD / Annual
Canada - Toronto Office TRO : 223,000 - 335,000 CAD / 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 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.
We use artificial intelligence in our hiring process. Learn more here.
This posting is a new position within our organization.
See all Director of Contracts Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Director of Contracts roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Director of Contracts Jobs
Frame your credentials around specialty occupation
USCIS requires that your degree field directly relate to contracts work. A JD, business, finance, or supply chain degree typically satisfies this. If your degree is in an unrelated field, compile written equivalency evidence from a credential evaluation service before applying.
Search LCA filings by job title
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up certified LCAs under titles like 'Director of Contracts' or 'Contracts Director.' Employers who have already certified LCAs for this title have cleared the hardest internal hurdle and are far more likely to sponsor again.
Target defense contractors and regulated industries
Federal contractors in aerospace, defense, and healthcare have established legal teams and recurring contracts work that justifies H-1B filings. These employers file LCAs regularly and are less likely to treat sponsorship as a one-off exception during hiring.
Find sponsors through Migrate Mate's verified employer data
Filter Director of Contracts roles on Migrate Mate to surface employers with verified LCA sponsorship history. This removes the guesswork of cold-applying to companies that have never filed for this title before, saving weeks of back-and-forth during early outreach.
Clarify contract scope before the offer stage
Some employers assume a Director of Contracts can work as an independent contractor, which doesn't support H-1B sponsorship. Confirm the role is a full-time W-2 position with an employer-employee relationship before the offer is drafted, since USCIS requires this for petition approval.
Position your profile for EB-2 during H-1B negotiations
Because this role typically requires an advanced degree or equivalent experience, ask your employer to initiate PERM labor certification concurrently with or shortly after filing your H-1B. Starting early avoids the per-country backlog compounding while you exhaust your initial H-1B period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Director of Contracts role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, in most cases. USCIS evaluates specialty occupation status based on whether the role normally requires a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Director of Contracts positions typically require a degree in business, law, finance, or supply chain management, which satisfies that standard. Roles involving government contracting or highly regulated industries tend to pass USCIS review more consistently than general commercial contracts roles.
Which visa types are realistic for a Director of Contracts candidate seeking employer sponsorship?
The H-1B is the most common path, covering up to six years of initial status and allowing concurrent green card pursuit. Australian nationals can apply for the E-3 visa, which carries a separate cap and doesn't require a lottery slot. Canadian and Mexican nationals may qualify under TN visa if the role maps to an eligible USMCA profession. For longer-term residence, EB-2 or EB-3 green cards are viable given the degree requirements typical of this title.
What degree does an employer typically require when sponsoring a Director of Contracts?
Most employers sponsoring this title expect a bachelor's degree in business administration, contract management, law, finance, or a closely related field. Some employers accept equivalent experience under the H-1B three-for-one rule, where three years of specialized work substitutes for one year of formal education. If you hold a foreign credential, a recognized evaluation service can certify equivalency before USCIS adjudicates the petition.
How do I identify employers who have previously sponsored Director of Contracts roles?
Migrate Mate shows employers with verified LCA sponsorship history for this title, so you can focus your applications on companies that have already cleared the internal approval process. This matters for Director of Contracts roles specifically, since sponsorship decisions often sit with legal or procurement leadership rather than HR, and prior filing history signals an established pathway.
Does the seniority of a Director of Contracts role affect green card eligibility?
Yes, favorably. The seniority and degree requirements for this title typically support an EB-2 petition, which requires either an advanced degree or exceptional ability. EB-2 avoids the longer backlogs that EB-3 skilled worker petitions face for some nationalities. If your employer is willing to file a PERM labor certification early in your H-1B tenure, you can lock in a priority date before per-country queues extend further.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Director of Contracts jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.