Legal Counsel, Cybersecurity & Data Protection

PayPal • San Jose, CA

7d • $123,500 - $212,850 • Hybrid

About The Position

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 cybersecurity lawyer to serve as Legal Counsel, Cybersecurity & Data Protection. This role will include: helping manage data security incidents, providing guidance to global teams on cybersecurity issues, researching global regulatory obligations & tracking global regulatory submissions, revising contractual provisions such as security terms & incident response obligations, and generally providing relevant guidance.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

• Cybersecurity subject matter expertise with knowledge of cybersecurity tech regulations and frameworks (e.g., NIST Cybersecurity Framework, ISO 27001, GDPR, SOC 2, or CCPA) especially those related to financial institutions.
• Demonstrated experience advising product teams on global privacy regulations, translating legal guidance into practical solutions, and driving solutions cross-functionally.
• Familiarity with submissions to data privacy authorities and/or regulatory agencies.
• Knowledge of cutting-edge IT, web, mobile, and payment ecosystem technologies (especially those used in the collection, storage and analysis of data) and their data security implications.
• Experience negotiating, drafting, and updating documents and policies.
• Excellent project management 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 sound judgment, curiosity, and high tolerance for ambiguity.
• Team oriented, with ability to keep a cool head, empathy, and a sense of humor in busy and high-pressured environments.
• Fintech experience preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialized legal advice and support to enable business strategy while identifying and managing legal risk.
• Ensure awareness of and advise on compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
• Build strong partnerships with business counterparts across the enterprise to proactively identify potential legal risks and provide strategic legal guidance.
• Identify, analyze, and advise on potential legal risks, presenting mitigation options and recommendations to protect the company and enable business objectives.
• Escalate complex legal issues and significant risks to senior legal leadership where appropriate.
• Research and analyze new laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance affecting the company's global operations, assessing potential business impact and recommended actions.
• Manage assigned legal matters through resolution, coordinating with internal stakeholders and external counsel as needed.
• Maintain current knowledge of legal developments relevant to assigned business areas and communicate implications.
• Lead functional projects and programs, ensuring alignment with business objectives and legal requirements.
• Provide specialized legal advice and support, particularly in high-demand areas such as data privacy, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance.
• Identify issues and recommend best practices, leveraging industry knowledge and legal expertise to guide decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations, implementing robust compliance programs and conducting regular audits.
• Manage legal risks and safeguard PayPal's legal interests, developing strategies to address emerging legal challenges.
• Represent PayPal in litigation and other legal proceedings, collaborating with external counsel and managing case strategies.

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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree