Operations Project Analyst

Pacific Life • Newport Beach, CA

4d • $40 - $49 • Hybrid

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. We’re actively seeking a talented project analyst to join our Operations Project Team in Newport Beach, CA or Omaha, NE. This role is hybrid. We believe in empowering our employees to get work done both in and out of the office. As a project analyst you’ll move Pacific Life, and your career, forward by independently leading foundational level Operations projects, as assigned, across both Annuity and Life lines of business. You will fill an existing role that sits on a team of 14 people in the CMD division. Your colleagues will include fellow project professionals that work independently and collaboratively across multiple locations.

Requirements

• Preferably 4+ years within the financial services industry (or comparable equivalent), with experience in a highly service-focused, financial services Operations environment.
• Demonstrated desire to deliver a stellar service experience to both internal and external customers.
• Familiarity with basic project management approaches in Operations.
• Strong communication skills, including ability to facilitate effective meetings, drive positive outcomes, and proactively and collaboratively address challenges with a variety of stakeholders, including leaders.
• Adept at managing time to oversee multiple processes and meet multiple deadlines.
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment with consistently changing priorities, remaining highly organized with an emphasis on accuracy and timeliness.
• Demonstrated problem solving and critical thinking skills; Ability to anticipate, identify and overcome impediments to project success.
• Ability to work collaboratively with all levels of individuals.
• Able to work independently under minimal supervision.

Nice To Haves

• 4-year degree or equivalent combination of work and experience.
• Broad knowledge of CMD Operations organization, products, systems, and processes preferred

Responsibilities

• Project Initiation and Implementation : Initiate project within Project Management tools; facilitate kick-off meetings with all identified stakeholders and Sponsors to clearly define project roles, scope and objectives, timeline, cost, and project plan. Independently lead and facilitate productive planning sessions/meetings as needed to achieve the above; Create, maintain, and monitor project plan and roadmap as applicable. Independently lead and facilitate productive sessions with external stakeholders like Technology, Compliance, etc. to clarify queries or remove impediments impacting the project. Develop approaches and solutions, using a collaborative team approach with key stakeholders; develop needs assessments and cost-benefit analysis in support of proposed solutions. Coordinate implementation plans to minimize impact to department workflow and to ensure deliverable can be well-sustained by impacted teams after rollout. Partner effectively with manager and team to gain and apply feedback, insight and direction on project approaches and challenges. Identify, manage, and track project and operational risks, issues, and dependencies impacting project scope and schedule. Work closely with Operations teams and SMEs to develop thorough business requirements. Partner with Ops and external business partners to determine how change(s) will fit into existing business processes, whether existing processes require modification, or if new processes need to be stood up.
• Communication : Independently lead and facilitate productive planning sessions/meetings with all internal and external business teams and SME’s as needed to achieve the above. Independently facilitate effective meetings with Sponsor and stakeholders, driving successful decisions and outcomes. Present clear and concise progress/status updates in project reviews and proactively to various leadership levels within the organization as needed. Communicate key changes in scope, schedule, and/or cost, as well as project and operational risks, in a timely manner to the sponsor, Project Team, and leadership team. Utilize Operations experience to ask appropriate questions, ensuring business requirements and newly proposed process are thorough and complete. Develop clear and concise announcements to Ops teams for project deployments/updates.
• Documentation : Ensure agenda and minutes are clear and concise for all meetings and shared promptly with attendees. Update project management tool with all relevant project artifacts and details; include all relevant details, and ensure documentation is easy to comprehend, and identifies and addresses impact to all Operations teams. Create technology demands as needed for the project, following key guidelines for submission. Partner with Training and Documentation to coordinate updates to documentation, SOPs, and Job Aids, ensuring project objectives, impacts and action to be taken are appropriately reflected.
• Closure : Obtain customer acceptance and feedback after project closure. Resolve post-implementation questions in a timely and thorough manner. Document and share lessons learned and best practices with Manager and team. Finalize all the project activities and closes/archives the project in Project Management tools. Partner closely with IT to scope, prioritize, and deliver remaining inforce/residual (“Day 2”) scope after initial project launch. Drive a positive service experience with internal and external business partners; Receive positive feedback from project stakeholders and leaders regarding responsiveness, follow through, communication, and ability to successfully implement project with minimal disruption to impacted team.
• Self-Development : Meet target deadlines for Performance and SMART goal check-ins and evaluations. Collaborate with Manager, peers and business partners to seek feedback and identify opportunities to further develop core skills and “Focused Professional Competencies” within leadership attributes. Actively grow knowledge in core areas of Operations processes and systems to expand breadth of support. Come prepared for coaching sessions and follow through on action plans. Stay current on Operational changes to best support business.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees