Director, Project Portfolio Mgmt - ID

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 talented Business Portfolio & Project Management Leader to join our Institutional Division 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.

The Portfolio & Project Management Leader is responsible for overseeing and optimizing the portfolio, projects, and initiatives within the division, ensuring strategic alignment, robust prioritization and capacity management, and successful execution of high-impact initiatives.

The Division Portfolio & Project Leader will build a resilient, outcome-oriented portfolio operation, enabling predictable delivery aligned with divisional and enterprise strategic goals. You will be accountable for project and program managers across the division to ensure adherence to Division and Enterprise project portfolio management standards and practices.

The ideal candidate must thrive working both collaboratively with Division and Enterprise teams, as well as individually.

How You Will Make an Impact:

Leadership & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Lead a team of project professionals to successfully deliver division projects and initiatives. Sets organizational priorities and allocates resources.

• Coach and develop team members to drive performance towards stated team and division goals. 

• Act as the main point of contact between senior leadership, finance, strategy, project delivery, and cross-functional teams.

• Build strong relationships with stakeholders to enable quick decisions and adjustments.

• Identifies and resolves complex technical, operational and organizational problems.

Strategic Alignment & Roadmap Management:

• Create and maintain plans that focus on important projects aligned with company and division strategic goals.

• Gather insights and performance metrics to provide a clear view of progress

• Works with the strategy team to connect project results to specific metrics, monitor, and report on the value created by projects.

• Lead prioritization efforts across all levels, using analytics to improve transparency and drive effective decision-making.

Financial Governance & Resource Optimization:

• Work with the divisional CFO to set up financial rules for early detection of issues and budget adjustments.

• Coordinates collection and assessment of resource capacity data, keeping forecasts updated and adapting to changes.

Portfolio and Project Management:

• Develop risk management plans with early warning systems for potential issues in meeting portfolio goals, using predictive tools and taking action.

• Lead processes to resolve issues quickly and keep the portfolio on track.

• Develop and implement process improvements and guides the maturation of the PPM & PMO practice within the Division and in collaboration with Enterprise Project Portfolio Management

The Experience You Bring:

General

• 10+ years of portfolio or large-scale program management experience, with an emphasis on governance and strategic alignment.-

• Proven success in implementing proactive portfolio and project management frameworks within complex environments.

• Experience in sustaining portfolio health through adaptive decision-making and rigorous financial stewardship.

Analytical Skills

• Strong analytical skills focused on leading indicators, predictive metrics, and early risk detection.

Leadership & Influence

• Experience as a people leader and leading people in a fast-paced environment.

• Demonstrated ability to guide and drive data-informed decisions and influence cross-functional outcomes.

• Proficiency in executive communication and stakeholder engagement, with a record of effective collaboration.

• Skilled at building coalitions that foster accountability, transparency, and alignment with str