Director, PPMO-Underwriting & New Business

Pacific Life•Newport Beach, CA

5d•$184,680 - $225,720•Onsite

About The Position

Providing for loved ones, planning rewarding retirements, saving enough for whatever lies ahead – our policyholders count on us to be there when it matters most. It’s a big ask, but it’s one that we have the power to deliver when we work together. We collaborate and innovate – pushing one another to transform not just Pacific Life, but the entire industry for the better. Why? Because it’s the right thing to do. Pacific Life is more than a job, it’s a career with purpose. It’s a career where you have the support, balance, and resources to make a positive impact on the future – including your own. Pacific Life is seeking a PPMO Director to support our Underwriting New Business for Life Transformation and business-as-usual functions. The outcomes are focused on deploying modern technology workflow that is data driven and AI enabled to provide a single, end-to-end digitally enabled customer experience for our Consumer Markets Division (CMD). This is your opportunity to lead a team of direct reports focused on scalability-critical efforts at a top-tier life insurance and annuities company. You’ll collaborate with senior leaders in both business and technology to drive value delivery by executing with discipline. This role will be located 4 days a week onsite in our Newport Beach, CA office. Relocation assistance may be provided.

Requirements

Proven success leading large-scale transformation programs in life insurance, annuities, or financial services.
Proven experience in the Life Insurance, Underwriting and New Business processing
Technology fluency in AI-first design, data-driven decisioning, agentic business processing
Mastery of program management, business transformation, and technology delivery.
Exceptional ability to navigate complexity, ambiguity, and cross-functional dynamics.
Outstanding communication, stakeholder management, and execution focus.
>20 years of experience.
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Strategic Partnership & Leadership · Operate within a “two-in-a-box” model, building trusted partnerships with both business and technology leaders. · Provide strategy to execution path, ensuring alignment across all functions and business areas to drive seamless execution.
Dual Leadership Skillset: Technical & Business Delivery · Leverage dual expertise in technical delivery and business program leadership. · Demonstrate deep domain knowledge in financial services and cross-functional, matrix management.
Stakeholder Management & Influence · Be a trusted and respected partner, aligning vision, priorities, and execution across diverse stakeholders. · Lead and motivate cross-functional teams at all levels, without direct people management responsibilities. · Key stakeholders include CMD Sr Leadership Team and Pacific Life Management Committee.
Accountability, Governance & Results Orientation · Champion strong accountability across workstreams and stakeholders by ensuring commitments are met and outcomes are delivered with discipline and rigor. · Implement structured governance to track progress, resolve issues, and escalate effectively.
Decision-Making & Problem-Solving Agility · Synthesize complex inputs to enable fast, informed decisions—even in ambiguous situations and by addressing decision bottlenecks. · Deliver transparent, data-driven insights to challenge assumptions and foster a culture of honesty and continuous improvement.
Program Planning & Execution Excellence · Own and drive best-in-class planning practices throughout the delivery lifecycle, including establishing and maintaining clear roadmaps, milestones, supportability, and value delivery. · Leverage hybrid ways of working (agile, product, project) for integrated planning, incremental delivery and continuous prioritization for allocation of resources and sequencing. · Proactively identify risks and develop mitigation strategies to maintain program momentum.
Financial Stewardship & Value Realization · Oversee financial aspects including cost-benefit analysis, capacity management, forecasting, and program KPI tracking. · Drive financial stewardship, value realization, and continuous planning at every step.
Change Leadership & Innovation · Lead change across people, processes, technology, and operating models. · Foster a forward-thinking mindset, rapidly breaking stalemates and accelerating decision-making.

Benefits

Your Benefits Start Day 1
Your wellbeing is important to Pacific Life, and we’re committed to providing you with flexible benefits that you can tailor to meet your needs. Whether you are focusing on your physical, financial, emotional, or social wellbeing, we’ve got you covered.
Prioritization of your health and well-being including Medical, Dental, Vision, and Wellbeing Reimbursement Account that can be used on yourself or your eligible dependents
Generous paid time off options including: Paid Time Off, Holiday Schedules, and Financial Planning Time Off
Paid Parental Leave as well as an Adoption Assistance Program
Competitive 401k savings plan with company match and an additional contribution regardless of participation
You Can Be Who You Are
We are committed to a culture of diversity and inclusion that embraces the authenticity of all employees, partners and communities. We support all employees to thrive and achieve their fullest potential.
What’s life like at Pacific Life? Visit Instagram.com/lifeatpacificlife
EEO Statement: Pacific Life Insurance Company is an Equal Opportunity /Affirmative Action Employer, M/F/D/V. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, contact a Human Resources Representative at Pacific Life Insurance Company.
Pacific Life is more than a job — it’s a career with purpose. For nearly 160 years, we’ve helped people protect their financial futures through strength, stability, and innovation. Join us to make a meaningful impact and build a career where you can thrive.
Pacific Life's success is driven by our people. We create, embrace and sustain an inclusive workplace where all employees are respected and supported throughout their career. Our values inspire and direct our actions shaping the vibrant culture we proudly uphold.
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