Job Summary
The Sr. Director of Experience Design, Identity & Trust, will lead the design strategy and execution for PayPal's authentication, account security, and privacy experiences. You'll oversee a global team focused on building seamless, secure, and trustworthy interactions – from login and passwordless authentication, to protecting accounts from fraud, to providing intuitive privacy controls.
Responsibilities
- Develop and articulate a clear, compelling vision and strategy in alignment with Experience Design strategy and operations that inspires others
- Oversee and direct the development of user interface plans with direct impact on PayPal revenue, expense, budget, and growth
- Negotiate with and influence the decision‑making of senior internal and external executives and decision‑makers
- Create operational and strategic objectives that enhance user and customer experiences using domain knowledge and extensive expertise
- Provide guidance to critical cross‑functional and cross‑organizational teams focused on experience design across PayPal
- Identify and resolve strategic user interface and interaction design with new or innovative solutions
- Establish overall business or technical strategy for user experience initiatives
- Identify and resolve unique situations of substantial significance in user interface or interaction design
- Allocate resources responsibly and apply creativity to enhancing user and customer experiences across digital and physical products and services
- Lead the development of user experience strategies that resonate with target audiences
- Support and mentor less‑experienced roles to provide an example of innovation, excellence, and day‑to‑day learning
- Set the vision and design direction for identity, risk, and trust experiences
- Define and drive an experience strategy that balances security, privacy, and usability
- Build, staff, and mentor a high‑performing design team
- Lead design planning, prioritization, and execution in alignment with product objectives
- Partner with product, engineering, and risk leadership to shape roadmaps and outcomes
- Facilitate workshops and cross‑functional alignment to drive strategy and execution
- Collaborate with other design leaders to ensure consistency across the PayPal ecosystem
- Advance scalable design systems, processes, and standards to raise craft and quality
- Represent design at the executive level, influencing decisions and company direction
Minimum Qualifications
- 12+ years relevant experience and a Bachelor's degree OR any equivalent combination of education and experience
- 5 years of experience leading others
Preferred Qualifications
- Minimum of 15 years of relevant work experience and a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
- 15+ years of product design experience, including 8+ years leading teams and managers
- Proven ability to set vision, strategy, and direction for complex, global design portfolios
- Experience building and scaling high‑performing, distributed design teams
- Strong track record of aligning design with product objectives and business outcomes
- Skilled in leading experience strategy, workshops, and cross‑functional facilitation
- Demonstrated ability to balance trust, security, and usability in customer experiences
- Expertise in design systems and scalable frameworks that raise quality across teams
- Exceptional storytelling, communication, and influence skills with executives and stakeholders
- Global perspective with awareness of regulatory, accessibility, and localization needs
Compensation and Benefits
Primary Location: SanJose, California – Pay Range: $242,000.00 – $359,150.00 Annually
Additional Location(s): Austin, Texas – Pay Range: $220,000.00 – $326,700.00 Annually
Hybrid work model: 3 days in the office for collaboration and 2 days at choice of PayPal office or home workspace.
- Generous paid time off
- Healthcare coverage for employees and family members
- Resources to support financial security and mental health
EEO Statement
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
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