Finance Director - SMF2

Posted:
4/21/2026, 2:19:32 AM

Location(s):
City of London, England, United Kingdom ⋅ England, United Kingdom

Experience Level(s):
Senior

Field(s):
Finance & Banking

Workplace Type:
Hybrid

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 Finance Director for PayPal UK leads the finance function of the UK regulated entity, ensuring strong financial stewardship, regulatory compliance, and operational integrity within an FCA-regulated environment. As an SMCR Certification Function (SMF2), the candidate must meet the fit and proper criteria. The role is accountable for high standards in financial reporting, controls, safeguarding, and compliance in line with expectations from the Financial Conduct Authority.The role partners with internal stakeholders, auditors, and regulators to maintain a robust control environment while supporting business growth. It leads a team of financial controllers, overseeing their performance and development. Key responsibilities include managing monthly financial reporting and variance analysis, preparing external reports such as annual statements and regulatory filings, conducting risk assessments, improving control frameworks, and maintaining accurate, compliant accounting processes.

Job Description:

Essential Responsibilities:

  • Manage a team of financial controllers and ensure their effective performance
  • Perform risk assessments and identify improvements in the control and risk management framework
  • Develop and maintain accounting and reporting processes in compliance with laws and regulations
  • Monitor Key Performance Indicators and Key Risk Indicators to drive operational performance
  • Ensure regulatory compliance of outsourced activities
  • Manage the month close process and present reports to senior leadership
  • As a finance leader, you will help shape the strategy for CAO and finance, and influence decision making of stakeholders across the enterprise.

Minimum Qualifications:

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

Additional Responsibilities & Preferred Qualifications:

  • Significant experience in senior Finance leadership roles (Director level or equivalent)
  • Strong background in financial reporting, controls, and operating within regulated environments
  • Experience in financial services, payments, fintech, or banking preferred
  • Knowledge of FCA regulatory requirements and safeguarding frameworks highly desirable
  • Proven ability to influence and partner with senior stakeholders
  • Professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CPA) strongly preferred
  • Strong commercial acumen with strategic thinking capability
  • Experience working in a matrixed, global organisation
  • High integrity with a strong focus on governance and control
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
  • Ability to balance regulatory discipline with business agility

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management & Reporting

  • Ensure the integrity, accuracy, and completeness of financial information
  • Maintain robust financial management for the UK entity
  • Oversee accounting policies, processes, and controls

Regulatory & Capital Oversight

  • Oversee liquidity risk management and stress testing
  • Act as the primary point of contact for finance-related regulatory interactions

Risk & Controls

  • Manage financial risk frameworks across global and local models
  • Support enterprise-wide risk governance
  • Act as a key contact for external auditors and regulatory financial matters
  • Ensure compliance of outsourced activities with regulatory requirements

Strategy & Governance

  • Lead financial planning and forecasting processes
  • Support Board-level decision-making with financial insights
  • Participate in senior management and governance committees (risk, compliance, control forums), providing financial oversight

Subsidiary:

PayPal

Travel Percent:

0

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.