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Sr Legal Counsel, Compensation & Benefits

PayPal

PayPal

San Jose, CA, USA · Austin, TX, USA · Omaha, NE, USA · Scottsdale, AZ, USA · Chicago, IL, USA
USD 152,500-262,350 / year + Equity
Posted on Jan 8, 2026

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’s Legal team is looking for a highly engaged and collaborative executive compensation and employee benefits lawyer to serve in the role of Senior Legal Counsel, Compensation and Benefits Legal. This role will be responsible for supporting PayPal’s People team in structuring and administering PayPal’s global compensation and benefits programs by providing strategic advice and thought partnership.


The ideal candidate has expertise in advising clients with respect to public company global compensation and benefits compliance and administration, including in the context of corporate M&A transactions. They must be skilled at translating legal concepts into practical advice and thrive in a cross-functional, fast-moving environment.

Job Description:

Essential Responsibilities:

  • Provide clear, pragmatic, and solution-oriented legal advice to enable business strategy while managing legal risk.
  • Participate in complex problem resolution, providing expert legal advice on high-stakes issues and disputes.
  • Ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
  • Partner with business counterparts across the enterprise to help drive the delivery of effective legal services.
  • Manage legal risks and safeguard PayPal's legal interests, developing comprehensive risk management frameworks.
  • Escalate complex issues to senior legal leadership where appropriate.

Expected Qualifications:

  • 8+ years relevant experience and a Juris doctorate degree OR Any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Responsibilities & Preferred Qualifications:

Job Responsibilities:

  • Work as a key team member on a broad range of global employee benefits matters, including health and welfare and retirement benefits in the U.S. and 25+ non-U.S. jurisdictions

  • Work with key stakeholders on executive- and Board-level presentations and engage as a member of a global cross-functional team (Total Rewards, People, Global Talent Acquisition, Global Stock Plan Services, Finance, Investor Relations, Corporate Legal and Communications) on various projects

  • Provide legal support on executive compensation matters in light of applicable legal and regulatory regimes and PayPal’s compensation philosophy and draft public disclosures related to executive compensation

  • Advise on employment tax issues related to compensation

  • Advise on and support the creation and administration of global incentive programs, including cash- and equity-based programs

  • Provide legal support on compensation and benefits matters arising in connection with corporate M&A transactions (e.g. acquisitions, dispositions) including due diligence, negotiation and drafting of relevant transaction documents, and post-closing integration support

  • Draft employment-related documents, including offer letters and employment, separation and restrictive covenant agreements

  • Draft and review plan documents and employee communications

  • Assist the company in complying with federal, state, and foreign laws impacting employee benefits and compensation

  • Monitor, track and advise on potential impacts of new and proposed legal and regulatory requirements impacting compensation and benefits

Job Requirements:

  • JD degree with excellent academic credentials

  • 8+ years of experience in employee benefits and executive compensation matters at a top-tier law firm or equivalent in-house experience

  • Experience and technical knowledge in the following areas:

  • Global compensation programs (including equity incentives) and employee benefits

  • Global qualified and non-qualified retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, deferred compensation plans, international pension plans)

  • Employee benefits and executive compensation issues in the context of corporate M&A transactions

  • Corporate governance issues related to compensation matters

  • Flexibility and creativity in dealing with complex legal issues

  • Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communications skills

  • Well organized, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment and manage numerous projects simultaneously under deadline pressure

  • A high-level of intellectual, professional, and interpersonal agility and flexibility, combined with strong analytical and problem-solving skills

  • Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with business clients and other functions

Subsidiary:

PayPal

Travel Percent:

0

-

The base pay for this role will depend on where you work and the relevant experience and expertise you bring. The expected range of pay for this role by location is:

Primary Location | Pay Range:

Washington DC, District of Columbia | ($169,000.00 - $250,800.00 Annually)

Additional Location(s) | Pay Range:

San Jose, California | ($176,500.00 - $262,350.00 Annually)
Chicago, Illinois | ($160,500.00 - $238,700.00 Annually)
Austin, Texas | ($160,500.00 - $238,700.00 Annually)
Scottsdale, Arizona | ($152,500.00 - $226,600.00 Annually)
Omaha, Nebraska | ($152,500.00 - $226,600.00 Annually)
Additional compensation for this role may include an annual performance bonus, equity, or other incentive compensation, as applicable. This role is also eligible for a range of benefits which may include, medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, parental and family leave, 401(k) savings plan, paid time off, and other benefits. For more information visit https://www.paypalbenefits.com.

PayPal does not charge candidates any fees for courses, applications, resume reviews, interviews, background checks, or onboarding. Any such request is a red flag and likely part of a scam. To learn more about how to identify and avoid recruitment fraud please visit https://careers.pypl.com/contact-us.

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 benefits to help you thrive in every stage of life. We champion your financial, physical, and mental health by offering valuable benefits and resources to help you care for the whole you.

We have great benefits including a flexible work environment, employee shares options, health and life insurance and more. To learn more about our benefits please visit https://www.paypalbenefits.com.

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 paypalglobaltalentacquisition@paypal.com.

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.

Any general requests for consideration of your skills, please Join our Talent Community.

We know the confidence gap and imposter syndrome can get in the way of meeting spectacular candidates. Please don’t hesitate to apply.