Sr Manager, Internal Controls

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:

The Senior Manager of Internal Controls for SE is a strategic leader responsible for driving a consistent, high-impact internal controls program across the organization. This role oversees Business Continuity (BIA, BCPs), Issue Management, and Exam Coordination while ensuring alignment with company-level strategies and risk frameworks. The Senior Manager operates as a trusted advisor to VP-level stakeholders, translates complex risks into actionable insights, and accelerates the adoption of AI and automation to modernize and optimize key control processes.

Job Description:

Essential Responsibilities:

• Lead complex projects related to internal controls and risk management.
• Resolve complex problems by applying specialized knowledge in internal controls.
• Develop methods and procedures for new assignments to improve internal control processes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement best practices in internal controls.
• Analyze current business trends to inform internal control strategies and improvements.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 8+ years relevant experience and a Bachelor’s degree OR Any equivalent combination of education and experience.

The ideal candidate brings a proactive mindset, a strong command of enterprise risk practices, and the ability to lead a multi-level global team in a fast-moving environment. Familiarity with emerging AI governance frameworks (e.g., ISO 42001) is a significant plus. 

Essential Responsibilities: 

• Provide strategic leadership for Internal Controls across SE, ensuring consistent delivery and governance across Business Continuity, Issue Management, and Exam/Regulatory Request Coordination. 

• Lead VP-level and senior-executive engagements, enabling clear risk storytelling, confident challenge, and alignment on prioritized actions. 

• Embed automation opportunities into internal control processes, increasing efficiency, accuracy, and scalability. 

• Oversee and continuously enhance Business Impact Analysis (BIA), Business Continuity Plans (BCPs), and related controls, ensuring readiness, quality, and alignment with enterprise expectations. 

• Direct the end-to-end lifecycle of Issue Management, including identification, documentation, remediation oversight, and sustainable closure. 

• Coordinate internal and external examinations, partnering with cross-functional teams to ensure timely, accurate, and complete responses. 

• Drive consistency and excellence across risk deliverables through standardized methodologies, templates, and review protocols. 

• Monitor and analyze trends across incidents, complaints, KPIs/KRIs, and control evaluation results to proactively identify areas of exposure or emerging risks. 

• Serve as a connector between SE leadership and the Second Line, ensuring adherence to frameworks while enabling business agility. 

• Champion continuous improvement, leveraging data, automation, and industry best practices—including proactive approaches aligned with standards such as ISO 42001. 

Expected Qualifications: 

• 8+ years of relevant experience (e.g., internal controls, audit, risk, compliance, operations, regulatory, or related disciplines) combined with a Bachelor’s degree, OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• Demonstrated ability to lead complex risk-related functions in a large, matrixed environment. 

• Experience managing multi-level teams, with a track record of building capability and driving accountability. 

• Strong executive presence and experience engaging VP-level and above stakeholders. 

• Proven ability to introduce and scale automation or technology-enabled improvements within control or risk processes. 

• Familiarity with enterprise risk frameworks and emerging AI governance standards including ISO 42001 or related approaches is preferred. 

Preferred Qualification: 

The Role 

The Senior Manager, Internal Controls, plays a pivotal role in enabling SE leadership to understand, manage, and mitigate risks across their portfolios. This leader oversees core Internal Controls activities—risk identification, assessment, control evaluation, issue lifecycle execution, and exam coordination—while driving a proactive risk culture. They ensure accurate and timely maintenance of risk inventories, documentation, and Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) data. They lead business-specific forums, translate risk signals into clear business insights, and partner closely with Second Line functions to apply frameworks and strengthen controls. The Senior Manager also leads the strategic uplift of Business Continuity capabilities, driving quality and consistency across BIA/BCP processes. Success in this role requires exceptional communication skills, advanced judgment, the ability to influence without authority, and an agile mindset that adapts quickly to enterprise-level shifts. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead and standardize execution of Internal Controls activities across the Operational Unit, ensuring alignment with enterprise policies and SE strategic objectives. 

• Drive timely remediation of issues, Risk & Compliance Plan (RCP) actions etc ensuring sustainable fixes and strong documentation. 

• Oversee the accuracy, timeliness, and completeness of GRC system data for the team’s area of responsibility. 

• Support clear, up-to-date documentation (e.g., Work Instructions, methodology guides, continuity procedures). 

• Analyze risk indicators, dashboards, and reporting to derive insightful, actionable risk conclusions for leadership. 

• Provide authoritative assertions on risk exposure and escalate critical risks with clarity and precision. 

• Represent SE in first line risk forums and ensure strong connectivity to enterprise frameworks and expectations. 

• Coach and mentor team members, fostering development, consistency, collaboration, and a high-performance culture. 

Optimal Profile 

Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. 

• 8+ years of experience in Audit, Risk, Compliance, Regulatory, Banking, Technology Risk, or related fields. 

• 5+ years of people-leadership experience spanning multiple levels. 

• Experience managing risks, controls, compliance obligations, or risk program execution in a complex environment. 

• Strong background in issue management, business continuity, exam coordination, or related internal control areas. 

• Familiarity with AI-related governance or emerging standards such as ISO 42001 is preferred. 

• Demonstrated ability to drive results, influence enterprise decision-making, and navigate complex stakeholder landscapes. 

Capabilities: 

• Executive presence with the ability to partner effectively with senior leadership (VP+). 

• Strong risk judgment, with the ability to translate risk frameworks into actionable, business-aligned approaches. 

• Advanced communication skills, capable of simplifying complex concepts for diverse audiences. 

• Strong project and program management capability, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver under pressure. 

• Expertise in developing and evolving control or process design. 

• Ability to identify automation opportunities, lead digital transformation efforts, and leverage data insights. 

• High proficiency in MS Office and comfort with GRC or workflow tools. 

• Strong collaboration skills across global, matrixed environments. 

Behaviors: 

• High integrity and discretion with sensitive information. 

• Natural curiosity, with a drive to understand root causes and prevent recurrence. 

• Demonstrates agility—able to pivot quickly in response to enterprise strategy or shifting risk conditions. 

• Strong judgment and ability to make independent assessments that balance risk and business needs. 

• Operates as a coach and mentor, developing talent and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. 

• Embeds the role of risk as an enabler of strategy, helping teams understand and internalize the value of strong controls. 

 

Work Permit and Relocation Prerequisites: Must already possess valid authorization to work in the country where the position is advertised/located. Relocation support will not be provided for this role. 

Subsidiary:

PayPal

Travel Percent:

10

-

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:

San Jose, California | ($143,500.00 - $212,850.00 Annually)

Additional Location(s) | Pay Range:

Chicago, Illinois | ($130,500.00 - $193,600.00 Annually) Austin, Texas | ($130,500.00 - $193,600.00 Annually) Scottsdale, Arizona | ($123,500.00 - $183,700.00 Annually) Omaha, Nebraska | ($123,500.00 - $183,700.00 Annually)

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

PayPal does not charge candidates any fees for courses, applications, resume reviews, interviews, background checks, or onboarding. When making an application directly, we will never ask you to share passwords, one-time passcodes (OTP), or verification codes.  Any such request is a red flag and likely part of a scam. All communication regarding your application will come from official PayPal email domains. If you suspect fraudulent activity, please report it immediately.  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 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.

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 [email protected].

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.