AVP, Enterprise Data Platforms, Architecture & Governance

Pacific Life; Newport Beach (CA); Hybrid; USD 230,000 - 275,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Wellbeing account

PTO & holidays

Parental leave

Adoption assistance

401k match

Job summary

Pacific Life is seeking an AVP, Enterprise Data Platforms, Architecture & Governance in Newport Beach, CA, to set strategy and operating models for data architecture, governance, and platform management. The role follows a hybrid schedule with four days in the office and aims to power decisions with trusted data, analytics, and AI capabilities across the organization.

You will lead a multi-year transformation spanning data modernization, AI enablement, and governance maturity, building a

Qualifications

• 15+ years leading large-scale data, analytics, architecture, governance, or technology organizations
• 7+ years leading leaders and cross-functional teams
• Proven ability to translate vision into executable roadmaps
• Deep expertise across data lifecycle: architecture, governance, quality, metadata, lineage
• Experience modernizing and scaling enterprise data ecosystems, including cloud platforms

Responsibilities

• Shape enterprise data vision and roadmap across strategy, modernization, analytics, and AI ambitions
• Champion scalable, interoperable data architecture reducing complexity
• Advance governance, stewardship, quality, metadata, and lineage capabilities
• Oversee evolution of enterprise data platforms balancing innovation, performance, security, and cost
• Mature data operations with disciplined service management and observability
• Influence executives to align priorities and accelerate adoption of data capabilities
• Orchestrate multi-year transformation including data modernization and AI enablement
• Build a high-performing data organization with strong accountability and collaboration

Skills

Data strategy

Executive leadership

Stakeholder alignment

Governance

Cloud/data platforms

Communication

Job description

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 AVP, Enterprise Data Platforms, Architecture & Governance to join our Data Organization in Newport Beach, CA. This role follows a hybrid schedule of four days in the office. As the AVP, Enterprise Data Platforms, Architecture & Governance, you'll move Pacific Life, and your career, forward by setting the strategy and operating model for enterprise data architecture, governance, quality, platform management, and shared operations. You'll help ensure enterprise data is trusted, secure, discoverable, governed, and accessible to power business decisions, analytics, and AI capabilities across the organization.

How You'll Help Move Us Forward

• Shape Pacific Life's enterprise data vision by connecting business strategy, modernization priorities, analytics capabilities, and AI ambitions into a cohesive and actionable roadmap
• Champion a future-state data architecture that enables scalability, interoperability, and innovation while reducing complexity across the enterprise technology landscape
• Elevate data as a strategic asset by advancing governance, stewardship, quality, metadata, and lineage capabilities that strengthen trust, transparency, and accountability
• Drive the evolution of enterprise data platforms, balancing innovation, performance, resiliency, security, and cost efficiency to support current and future business needs
• Mature enterprise data operations through disciplined service management, operational controls, observability, incident response, and continuous improvement practices
• Influence executive stakeholders across business and technology functions to align priorities, resolve complex ownership challenges, and accelerate adoption of enterprise data capabilities
• Orchestrate a multi-year transformation agenda spanning data modernization, AI enablement, governance maturity, platform advancement, and operating model evolution
• Build and inspire a high-performing organization of leaders and specialists, fostering accountability, collaboration, innovation, and talent development across the enterprise data ecosystem

The Experience You Bring

• 15+ years of experience leading large-scale data, analytics, architecture, governance, or technology organizations, including responsibility for enterprise strategy, transformation, and capability development
• 7+ years of experience leading leaders and cross-functional teams within complex enterprise environments, with a demonstrated ability to build organizational capability and drive results through others
• Proven track record shaping enterprise data strategies and translating vision into executable roadmaps that accelerate modernization, improve business outcomes, and strengthen organizational agility
• Deep expertise across the data lifecycle, including architecture, governance, quality, metadata, lineage, platform engineering, and operational management
• Experience modernizing and scaling enterprise data ecosystems, including cloud-based platforms, within highly regulated or complex operating environments
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior executives and align business, technology, risk, compliance, and governance stakeholders around enterprise priorities
• Strong business and financial acumen, including experience managing strategic vendor relationships, technology investments, and organizational performance
• Executive presence with exceptional communication skills and the ability to navigate ambiguity, frame complex decisions, and drive alignment across diverse stakeholder groups

What Makes You Stand Out

• Experience leading enterprise data organizations within insurance, financial services, or similarly regulated industries
• Familiarity with modern enterprise data ecosystems including platforms such as Snowflake, AWS, Collibra, MDM solutions, DBT, Matillion, and enterprise analytics technologies
• Success enabling AI, advanced analytics, data products, and self-service data capabilities through strong data foundations and governance practices
• Track record modernizing legacy data environments while improving scalability, operational efficiency, and business adoption
• Experience establishing enterprise governance frameworks, including ownership models, stewardship programs, and cross-functional decision-making forums
• Demonstrated success building enterprise shared-service models that balance business agility with governance, consistency, and operational excellence

What Success Looks Like

• Position enterprise data capabilities as a strategic business asset through a scalable operating model that enables growth, innovation, and operational excellence
• Strengthen accountability for enterprise data through clearly defined ownership, stewardship, and governance practices across critical business domains
• Increase confidence in enterprise data by advancing quality, transparency, lineage, and control capabilities across the organization
• Accelerate data modernization efforts by driving adoption of scalable architecture patterns, governed data products, and enterprise platform capabilities
• Improve access to trusted, well-governed data that empowers better decision-making, analytics, and AI-driven insights
• Deliver a resilient, efficient, and sustainable data ecosystem through disciplined operations, optimized technology investments, and effective vendor partnerships
• Develop a high-performing leadership organization recognized for enterprise partnership, talent development, innovation, and execution excellence

Deadline to Apply:

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Base Salary Range:

$230,000 - $275,000

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.