AVP, Business Transformation Leader - Institutional Division

Job Description:

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 forward-thinking and experienced AVP, Business Transformation Leader to join our Institutional Retirement Division in Newport Beach, CA or Omaha, NE. You'll lead a multi-year modernization agenda focused on scaling our division for continued growth, operational excellence, and an even stronger customer experience.

You’ll move us forward by evolving and strengthening our operating model to support continued growth, greater scalability, and an exceptional customer and annuitant experience. In close partnership with technology, you will lead division-wide transformation across our business lines and will architect and advance the next phase of our operating model that empowers our service teams to deliver exceptional customer experiences.  

You will lead strategic efforts to simplify processes, leverage automation and AI, and enable digital-first service delivery, ensuring our operating model is equipped to meet both today’s demands and tomorrow’s opportunities.

How you’ll help us move forward:

• Drive division-wide change across operations, technology, data, and vendor ecosystems to improve competitiveness, efficiency, resilience, and customer experience as the business continues to grow.

• Architect and deliver the next-generation operating model for the Institutional Division

• Establish clear transformation success metrics tied to business performance and customer outcomes

• Lead a matrixed team of internal and external analysts dedicated to supporting transformation efforts

• Partner closely with business leaders in Operations, Technology, Product to develop, communicate and execute a transformation roadmap, including future service models and technology needs, aligned to the division’s growth strategy, with a focus on scalability, modernization, and operational excellence

• Understand and account for interdependencies and complexities amongst Transformation and Running of the Day to Day, as well as dependent initiatives

• Partner with a technology leader in a “two-in-a-box” model to align operational priorities and outcomes and create scalable execution through disciplined program management

• Advance end-to-end process modernization across the value chain, standardizing and simplifying where possible, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and timely execution to support future growth

• Implement scalable processes and controls that support increased volume, product expansion, and regulatory complexity

• Coordinate vendor transformation initiatives to ensure alignment with modernization goals and delivery commitments

• Champion automation, workflow orchestration, and data-driven decisioning to reduce manual effort, improve cycle times, and free capacity for higher-value work

• Regularly reassess and adjust program plans and timelines to meet evolving business needs

• Establish transformation KPIs and governance to ensure transparency, accountability, and measurable, sustainable outcomes.

• Champion the development and execution of the Change Management strategy

• Promote excellence in portfolio and program management across the team

• Build and lead high-performing, cross-functional teams focused on operational readiness of new operating model, while ensuring adoption of new model

• Foster a culture of agility, engagement, and collaboration

The experience you bring:

• 10+ years in transformation leadership within financial services, insurance, asset management, with Defined Benefit (DB) or Defined Contribution (DC) retirement experience

• Proven success leading complex, cross-functional transformation programs, spanning operations, technology, data, and third-party/vendor ecosystems

• Demonstrated ability to lead large-scale change in environments with strong governance, controls, and regulatory oversight; change management, process modernization at scale, partnering with cross-functional leaders, etc.

• Solid understanding of defined benefit and defined contribution retirement ecosystem including new business, Inforce, customer service and operations

• Exceptional leadership and communication skills with strong ability to influence and align cross-functional teams

• Experience establishing KPIs, managing portfolio health, and driving accountability through program governance

• Strategic thinker with a bias for action and continuous improvement

• Experience transforming or managing BPO/outsourcing operating models and vendor performance frameworks

• Ability to translate strategy into actionable roadmaps and measurable outcomes

• Experience operating in highly regulated environments with strong controls and governance expectations

• Bachelor's or master’s degree in business, Operations Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

What makes you stand out:

• MBA

• Certifications or experiences in Program Management (e.g., PMP) and Change Management (e.g., PROSCI) and/or Lean (e.g., CLSSS)

Base salary range: $250,000 - $270,000

Base Pay Range:

The base pay range noted represents the company’s good faith minimum and maximum range for this role at the time of posting. The actual compensation offered to a candidate will be dependent upon several factors, including but not limited to experience, qualifications and geographic location. Also, most employees are eligible for additional incentive pay.

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.