Sr. Project Manager-New Business & Underwriting
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 Senior Project Manager to join our Portfolio and Program Management team in Newport Beach, CA. As a Senior Project Manager you’ll move Pacific Life, and your career, forward by leading cross-functional initiatives in a hybrid, iterative delivery environment. This role requires a delivery leader who brings structure, drives clarity, and ensures steady progress—even when priorities shift. The ideal candidate balances planning with adaptability and operates with a strong sense of ownership and urgency. You will fill a new role that sits on a team of 6 people in the Consumer Markets Division. Your colleagues will include Project Managers and fellow Agile Practitioner professionals.
Requirements
- 8+ years of project management experience in hybrid Agile environments (Agile, Scrum, Kanban, SAFe, or mixed models)
- Experience strongly preferred in Life Insurance, Underwriting and New Business, Financial Shared Services and/or equivalent Technology experience with AI productivity and agentic workflows
- Experience managing delivery in environments with both iterative and milestone-driven work
- Ability to track and manage progress across multiple teams and technologies without heavy overhead
- Familiarity with project and collaboration tools such as Jira, Confluence, Azure DevOps, Microsoft Project, or Smartsheet
- Strong facilitation and communication skills, with a proven ability to lead through ambiguity
- Demonstrated ability to influence without authority and coordinate across stakeholder groups
Nice To Haves
- Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or Certified Scrum Professional (CSP)
- SAFe® Scrum Master (SSM) or SAFe® Agilist (SA)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)®
- PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®
- Lean Six Sigma Yellow or Green Belt (a plus)
Responsibilities
- Lead medium to large-scale initiatives across business and technology teams using a combination of Agile, waterfall, and hybrid delivery methods
- Establish and maintain pragmatic delivery plans, adjusting based on team feedback, stakeholder input, and shifting priorities
- Facilitate clear communication across teams and stakeholders, ensuring timely decision-making and progress transparency
- Identify risks early, manage trade-offs, and escalate when appropriate to maintain delivery momentum
- Partner with product managers, business owners, and delivery leads to ensure scope, timing, and outcomes are aligned
- Monitor work in progress and ensure dependencies, impediments, and delivery constraints are actively managed
- Provide delivery leadership that keeps teams focused, stakeholders engaged, and objectives on track
Benefits
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Wellbeing Reimbursement Account
- Paid Time Off
- Holiday Schedules
- Financial Planning Time Off
- Paid Parental Leave
- Adoption Assistance Program
- Competitive 401k savings plan with company match and an additional contribution regardless of participation
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
