Director - Vendor Legal, People & Places

Job Summary

PayPal’s Legal Department is seeking a Director of Vendor Legal for People & Places – a strategic, hands‑on attorney who will lead legal support for a global portfolio of commercial contracts spanning Real Estate & Facilities, Design & Construction, and People operations. This role directly manages a team and serves as a trusted legal advisor to senior leadership across the People & Places organization. The ideal candidate brings deep commercial contracting experience, a track record of leading complex transactions (including leasing), and a genuine commitment to both client service and team development. Experience applying AI tools to contracting workflows is highly desirable; curiosity and willingness to innovate are equally valued.

Job Description

Provide strategic legal advice and support to senior management, influence business strategy and decision‑making, anticipate regulatory and legal risks, and proactively design strategies to manage them. Perform legal and regulatory compliance risk assessments, propose creative solutions where applicable, and help advance business objectives. Manage escalations, collaborate across other teams and develop solutions to enable business partners to achieve their goals. Develop a strong rapport and working relationship with business counterparts across the enterprise to help drive the delivery of effective legal services. Ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations, lead the adoption of cutting‑edge legal technologies and best practices, and manage legal risks to safeguard PayPal’s legal interests with forward‑looking risk‑management strategies. Provide key inputs as an industry leader and expert, staying ahead of legal trends and influencing industry standards.

Essential Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal advice and support to senior management, influencing business strategy and decision making.
• Anticipate regulatory and legal risks, and proactively design strategies to manage them.
• Perform legal and regulatory compliance risk assessments, propose creative solutions where applicable, and help advance business objectives.
• Manage escalations, collaborate across other teams and develop solutions to enable business partners to achieve their goals.
• Develop a strong rapport and working relationship with business counterparts across the enterprise to help drive the delivery of effective legal services.
• Ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations, leading the adoption of cutting‑edge legal technologies and best practices.
• Manage legal risks and safeguard PayPal's legal interests, developing forward‑looking risk management strategies.
• Provide key inputs as an industry leader and expert, staying ahead of legal trends and influencing industry standards.

Minimum Qualifications

• 10+ years relevant experience and a Juris Doctor degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary legal partner to People & Places leadership, providing strategic counsel that shapes vendor strategy, risk posture, and operational decision‑making at a senior level.
• Lead the drafting, negotiation, and management of complex Real Estate & Facilities, Design & Construction, and employee‑related commercial contracts – both directly and through outside counsel – including domestic and international leasing transactions.
• Manage outside counsel relationships effectively, including matter oversight, budget management, and quality control.
• Lead, supervise, and mentor a team of one attorney and one paralegal, delegating matters thoughtfully to ensure high‑quality, timely legal support across the portfolio.
• Set clear priorities and manage team workload, balancing individual capacity against business demand while maintaining appropriate risk‑management standards.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex or sensitive matters, providing guidance, judgment, and oversight as needed.
• Develop, refine, and champion standardized contract templates, intake workflows, and legal playbooks that increase team efficiency and enable consistent, scalable support.
• Serve as a key stakeholder in implementing and enhancing tools and technologies relevant to the role – including AI‑assisted contracting solutions – to modernize and streamline the team's operations.
• Conduct regular one‑on‑ones and performance reviews, providing direct and constructive feedback to support each team member's growth.
• Partner with direct reports to establish meaningful professional development goals and create opportunities to expand their skills and visibility within the organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience leading or managing legal professionals.
• Experience in leading leasing transactions, assisting in M&A transactions from diligence to integration.
• Experience in tax incentive arrangements and sustainability programs and metrics.
• Strong track record managing complex, cross‑functional matters in a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience with international real estate transactions and/or global vendor management.
• Familiarity with AI‑powered contract review or CLM tools.

Travel Percent: 0

Pay Range

Scottsdale, Arizona: $188,000.00 – $279,400.00 annually.

Omaha, Nebraska: $188,000.00 – $279,400.00 annually.

Additional compensation may include an annual performance bonus, equity, or other incentive compensation, as applicable.

Our Benefits

At PayPal, we’re committed to building an equitable and inclusive global economy. 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.

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 View email address on click.appcast.io.

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.