Meg Whitman says the changes will help innovation and collaboration

Jeff Jordan, who has been running the online payments business PayPal since 2004, is to step down in the autumn.

Mr Jordan, who headed eBay's core US business between 2000 and 2004, was seen by some as a potential successor to chief executive Meg Whitman.

EBay is facing growing competition from web search giant Google which recently launched its own online payments firm.

'Successful career'

Google Checkout allows shoppers to set up a single account with all their credit card and delivery details, enabling online retailers to sell products through their advertising on Google pages.

Rivalry between the two is growing with eBay customers unable to use the new Google service.

Although analysts believe that Checkout will pose a threat to PayPal, they see the latter - which has 100 million customers and operates in 55 countries - as continuing to lead the market.

The firm's revenues exceeded �1bn last year for the first time.

While I am sorry to see him go, I wish him the best Meg Whitman, eBay chief executive

Mr Jordan, who joined eBay in 1999, is leaving to spend more time with his family.

His role at PayPal will be filled by Rajiv Dutta, eBay's former chief financial officer and head of strategy, who has been heading internet phone firm Skype since it was bought by eBay last year.

"Jeff Jordan has had a long and successful career at PayPal and eBay, building two of the most powerful e-commerce and payment brands on the internet," Ms Whitman said.

"While I am sorry to see him go, I wish him the best."

In other changes, Lorrie Norrington will become president of eBay's international operations.

A former General Electric executive, Ms Norrington has been running price comparison website, Shopping.com, also owned by eBay.

She will succeed Matt Bannick who is to oversee eBay's initiatives in the developing world.