Director, Regulatory Compliance

The Company

PayPal has been revolutionizing commerce globally for more than 25 years. Creating innovative experiences that make moving money, selling, and shopping simple, personalized, and secure, PayPal empowers consumers and businesses in approximately 200 markets to join and thrive in the global economy. 

We operate a global, two-sided network at scale that connects hundreds of millions of merchants and consumers. We help merchants and consumers connect, transact, and complete payments, whether they are online or in person. PayPal is more than a connection to third-party payment networks. We provide proprietary payment solutions accepted by merchants that enable the completion of payments on our platform on behalf of our customers.

We offer our customers the flexibility to use their accounts to purchase and receive payments for goods and services, as well as the ability to transfer and withdraw funds. We enable consumers to exchange funds more safely with merchants using a variety of funding sources, which may include a bank account, a PayPal or Venmo account balance, PayPal and Venmo branded credit products, a credit card, a debit card, certain cryptocurrencies, or other stored value products such as gift cards, and eligible credit card rewards.  Our PayPal, Venmo, and Xoom products also make it safer and simpler for friends and family to transfer funds to each other. We offer merchants an end-to-end payments solution that provides authorization and settlement capabilities, as well as instant access to funds and payouts. We also help merchants connect with their customers, process exchanges and returns, and manage risk. We enable consumers to engage in cross-border shopping and merchants to extend their global reach while reducing the complexity and friction involved in enabling cross-border trade. 

Our beliefs are the foundation for how we conduct business every day.  We live each day guided by our core values of Inclusion, Innovation, Collaboration, and Wellness. Together, our values ensure that we work together as one global team with our customers at the center of everything we do – and they push us to ensure we take care of ourselves, each other, and our communities.

Job Summary:

PayPal Europe's Chief Compliance Officer and Authorized Manager is creating this Director position (CL9 grade) to establish and execute the strategic vision for PayPal Europe's regulatory compliance framework, providing executive oversight to key functions within the bank's overall compliance program, ensuring adherence to European banking regulations, and maintaining strong relationships with regulatory authorities across the EEA.

The Director will join a team of 25 compliance experts and lead a team of four second-line professionals, serving as a member of PayPal Europe's Key Function Holders and Material Risk Takers while reporting directly to the bank's Chief Compliance Officer alongside two other directors. This position will not include Financial Crime Compliance program responsibilities, which are managed by a separate direct report to the Chief Compliance Officer.

Job Description:

Essential Responsibilities:

• Establish and execute compliance strategy for major functional areas, influencing organizational approach to regulatory risk management
• Serve as strategic advisor to executive leadership on regulatory requirements, compliance program effectiveness, and emerging regulatory trends
• Lead a team of compliance leaders through growth and development, building high-performing teams.
• Drive resolution of highly complex regulatory situations, developing strategies that balance business objectives with compliance obligations
• Collaborate with senior leadership across functions to ensure cohesive organizational compliance strategy and execution
• Make strategic decisions on compliance program design, organizational structure, and resource investments that directly impact regulatory adherence
• Influence executive decision-making through regulatory intelligence, risk assessments, and strategic recommendations on compliance matters
• Build organizational compliance capabilities through talent development, process innovation, and establishment of excellence standards
• Represent the compliance function externally in regulatory interactions, industry forums, and strategic partnerships

Minimum Qualifications:

• 10+ years of relevant compliance experience and a Bachelor's degree OR any equivalent combination of education and experience
• Extensive experience leading compliance teams and delivering significant organizational impact through others
• Proven ability to influence at the executive level and drive organizational compliance strategy

Key Responsibilities

• Regulatory Compliance Strategy Development: The Director will assist the CCO in the definition and the execution of the strategic vision for PayPal Europe's regulatory compliance program, ensuring alignment with PayPal's group-level compliance framework, and European regulatory requirements.

• Board Reporting and Advisory Function: The Director will prepare regular compliance updates and strategic recommendations for the PayPal Europe CCO , the Authorized Management Board, and bank- and group-level committees.

• Compliance Culture: Together with his/her team, the Director will champion a culture of compliance throughout PayPal Europe, promoting ethical behavior and regulatory adherence across all business functions.

• Contribution to the Risk Management Program: the Director will contribute to PayPal Europe’s risk management program through the identification, assessment, and mitigation of regulatory compliance risks, maintaining the bank's regulatory risk appetite within approved parameters.

Regulatory Relationship Management

• Senior Regulatory Engagement: the Director will support the Chief Compliance Officer as the senior-level contact for key regulatory authorities including CSSF, ECB, and competent national authorities across the EEA.

• Strategic Regulatory Planning: the Director will oversee the execution of PayPal Europe’s comprehensive regulatory engagement strategy, ensuring proactive and transparent communication with regulators.

• Regulatory Examination: the Director will support the Chief Compliance officer co-leading the bank's response to regulatory examinations, inspections, and thematic reviews, ensuring timely and comprehensive responses to all regulatory inquiries.

• Industry Representation: Jointly with other Key Functions Holders, the Director will represent PayPal Europe in industry forums, regulatory consultations, and working groups to advise regulatory policy development and advocate for PayPal program.

PayPal Europe’s CORE Program Oversight

• Program Management: the Director will provide executive oversight of all CORE (Compliance Oversight and Regulatory Engagement) program components including the SLOD compliance policy framework, monitoring, testing, training, and reporting.

• Compliance outsourcing Governance: the Director will oversee the management of a series of outsourced compliance activities and service level agreements with PayPal Group, ensuring effective delivery of compliance services.

• Customer Protection: the Director will ensure robust oversight of PayPal Europe’s customer complaints management and customer protection programs, maintaining compliance with PSD2 and consumer protection regulations.

• Major Incident Reporting: the Director will oversee the PayPal Europe’s Major Incident Reporting framework, ensuring adherence to DORA requirements, and timely notification / reporting of major incidents.

Team Leadership & Development

• Team Management: the Director will lead and develop a team of compliance professionals including 1 Senior Manager, 1 Manager, and 2 Senior Analysts, fostering professional growth and succession planning.
• Resource Planning: the Director will manage departmental resources, ensuring adequate staffing and expertise to meet regulatory obligations.

• Cross-functional leadership: the Director will ensure a solid level of collaboration with other PayPal Europe departments and PayPal global teams to ensure integrated compliance approach across all business activities.

• Performance Management: the Director will set clear objectives, provide regular feedback, and conduct performance evaluations for its direct reports.

Functional Reporting & Management Information

• Regulatory Reporting: the Director will oversee a series of key external regulatory reporting obligations e.g., PayPal Europe’s annual Compliance Report and annual Testing Report, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of submissions to regulatory authorities.
• Management Information: the Director will ensure development and maintenance of comprehensive regulatory compliance metrics, KPIs and KRIs, providing actionable insights to PayPal Europe CCO, CRO and the bank’s senior management.
• Board Reporting: the Director will support the CCO in preparing quarterly compliance reports to the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee of the Board and relevant committees, highlighting key compliance risks identified, issues, and strategic initiatives.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Digital Transformation: the Director will help drive innovation in compliance processes through AI technology adoption and automation initiatives.
• Process Optimization: the Director will continuously evaluate and enhance compliance processes to improve efficiency while maintaining effectiveness. As part of this task, the Director will assist and advise PayPal (group-level) global compliance program enhancement initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Education & Certifications: Bachelor’s degree in law, Finance, Business Administration, or related field (master’s degree preferred). Professional compliance certifications are highly desirable. Fluency in English required, additional European languages advantageous.

• Experience: Minimum 10-12 years of progressive experience in regulatory compliance within lead European financial services. At least 5 years in senior / intermediary management roles (C-suite functions) with direct access to Authorized Management and/or Board. Proven track record of managing regulatory relationships with European banking authorities.

Technical Competencies

Deep understanding of European banking regulatory framework and supervisory expectations (e.g., experience with DORA, Consumer Protection laws, Consumer Credit Compliance, MICA regulation, EU Artificial Intelligence Act and European banking regulations essential). Expertise in compliance risk management and control frameworks. Strong knowledge of payment services regulations and digital banking compliance. Experience with regulatory technology and compliance automation tools. Understanding of outsourcing regulations and third-party risk management. Demonstrated success in leading compliance transformation initiatives.

Leadership Competencies

Strategic thinking with ability to translate regulatory requirements into sound business solutions. Strong communication and presentation skills for executive management and regulatory interactions. Robust advisory and negotiation skills across diverse stakeholder groups. Proven ability to lead through change and ambiguity. Cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively under stress in matrix organizations

Key Interfaces

• PayPal Europe committees, forum and working groups
• PayPal Europe Authorized Management, Supervisory Board of Directors and associated committees
• PayPal (group-level) Market Compliance Officers (MCOs) and SLOD leadership
• European Regulatory Authorities (CSSF, PISA JOT: ECB and BCL, NCAs)
• First Line Business and Functional Leaders
• Internal and External Audit

Performance Metrics

Sound design and execution of the annual CORE program. Annual compliance program maturity assessment. Design and periodic update of relevant program KPIs and KRIs. Timeliness and quality of regulatory submissions, including annual reports and major incident reports. Enhancement of the current PayPal Europe policy framework. Solid training plan execution. Regulatory Compliance issue identification, timely escalation and remediation, either directly or through oversight. FLOD and SLOD stakeholder satisfaction (internal and regulatory) through feedback. Team engagement and development scores.

Location & Travel

Based in Luxembourg with occasional travel required to PayPal offices across Europe. Estimated travel requirement: 5%.

Subsidiary:

PayPal

Travel Percent:

5

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For the majority of employees, PayPal's balanced hybrid work model offers 3 days in the office for effective in-person collaboration and 2 days at your choice of either the PayPal office or your home workspace, ensuring that you equally have the benefits and conveniences of both locations.

Our Benefits:

At PayPal, we’re committed to building an equitable and inclusive global economy. And we can’t do this without our most important asset-you. That’s why we offer comprehensive, choice-based programs, to support all aspects of personal wellbeing—physical, emotional, and financial—delivering meaningful value where it matters most. We strive to create a flexible, balanced work culture with a holistic approach to benefits, including generous paid time off, healthcare coverage for you and your family, and resources to create financial security and support your mental health.

Who We Are:

Click Here to learn more about our culture and community.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion 

PayPal provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.  In addition, PayPal will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.  If you are unable to submit an application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at [email protected].  

Belonging at PayPal: 

Our employees are central to advancing our mission, and we strive to create an environment where everyone can do their best work with a sense of purpose and belonging. Belonging at PayPal means creating a workplace with a sense of acceptance and security where all employees feel included and valued. We are proud to have a diverse workforce reflective of the merchants, consumers, and communities that we serve, and we continue to take tangible actions to cultivate inclusivity and belonging at PayPal.

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