Director, Legal Counsel - MEA

Job Description Summary

This position will lead our legal function in the Middle East and Africa and is based in Dubai. The position involves working closely with the business to support key strategic initiatives across MEA, advising on the launch of new products, relevant law and regulation that impacts the PayPal business and its products, supporting disputes and litigation, data privacy and commercial negotiations, and providing governance support to legal entities across the region.

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, 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 of relevant experience and a Juris doctorate degree or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Responsibilities and Preferred Qualifications

• Work with the PayPal business teams to advise on the development and implementation of new products and services, including the regulatory and business risk implications across the MEA.
• Deal with regulatory issues and advise on the impact of new and existing laws and regulations and local governance matters.
• Advising on and negotiating agreements with key partners, payment processors and financial institutions to further the expansion of the PayPal business.
• Help to develop and build the wider, non‑legal team’s understanding of relevant laws and regulations to encourage a culture of compliance and responsibility.

We are looking for an accomplished senior lawyer with strong interpersonal and organizational skills and a demonstrated ability to effectively and proactively provide sound legal advice, exercise good business judgment, work with senior management and execute on a cross‑functional basis in a fast‑paced environment.

To succeed in this challenging role, candidates should be mature, self‑motivated and well‑organised with excellent communication and problem‑solving skills. Candidates should also be flexible with a global outlook and collaborative working style. Must be able to work in a matrixed environment with multiple stakeholders and be willing to accommodate colleagues in different time zones.

Job Requirements

• Admitted as a lawyer with at least 6 years of post‑admission experience gained in a law firm or as in‑house counsel.
• Experience in banking, payments, financial services or fintech desirable.
• Ability to collaborate with senior management and cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Accomplished senior lawyer with keen attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Creative thinker with strong problem‑solving skills and ability to stay calm under challenging circumstances.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments simultaneously, with effective resolution of conflicting priorities.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, changing environment and matrixed organisation.
• Flexibility to work with colleagues in Europe, the United States and Asia and accommodate calls and deadlines aligned to their time zones.

Our Benefits

At PayPal, we’re committed to building an equitable and inclusive global economy. Our benefits help you thrive at every stage of life and include flexible work environment, employee share options, health and life insurance, and more.

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 .

REQ ID R0133423