Sr Project Manager

Pacific Life

Newport Beach (CA)

On-site

USD 168,000 - 205,000

Full time

8 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage
Dental coverage
Vision coverage
Wellbeing reimbursement
Paid time off
Parental leave
401k with match
Adoption assistance

Job summary

Pacific Life in Newport Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead cross-functional initiatives within our Portfolio and Program Management team. You will drive delivery using a mix of Agile, waterfall, and hybrid methods, collaborating with product managers, business owners, and delivery leads to ensure timely outcomes.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years of PM experience in regulated industries and proven ability to guide teams through ambiguity while maintaining delivery momentum.

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of project management experience in hybrid Agile environments (Agile, Scrum, Kanban, SAFe, or mixed models).
  • Strong facilitation and communication skills, with a proven ability to lead through ambiguity.
  • 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.
  • Demonstrated ability to influence without authority and coordinate across stakeholder groups.
  • Experience in regulated industries (e.g., insurance, financial services, healthcare) preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Lead 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 escalates 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.

Skills

10+ years of project management
Facilitation and communication
Delivery in iterative Milestone-driven
Progress tracking across teams
Jira/Confluence/Azure DevOps/Projects/
Influence without authority
Regulated industries experience

Education

CSM
CSP
SSM
SA
PMP
PMI-ACP
Lean Six Sigma Yellow/Green Belt

Tools

Jira
Confluence
Azure DevOps
Microsoft Project
Smartsheet

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 request, 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.

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 request, 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 Sr Project Manager to join our Portfolio and Program Management team in our Consumer Markets Division in Newport Beach, CA.

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. Your colleagues will include Project Managers and fellow Agile Practitioner professionals.

How You’ll Help Move Us Forward
  • Lead 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 escalates 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
The Experience You Bring
  • 10+ years of project management experience in hybrid Agile environments (Agile, Scrum, Kanban, SAFe, or mixed models)
  • Strong facilitation and communication skills, with a proven ability to lead through ambiguity
  • 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
  • Demonstrated ability to influence without authority and coordinate across stakeholder groups
  • Experience in regulated industries (e.g., insurance, financial services, healthcare) preferred
What Makes You Stand Out
  • 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)
What Success Looks Like
  • Work progresses iteratively, with direction and purpose
  • Risks are surfaced and addressed early—not after the fact
  • Stakeholders remain informed, engaged, and aligned
  • Delivery plans remain current and useful—not theoretical
  • Teams are supported and business outcomes are delivered with consistency
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

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.

$167,670.00 - $204,930.00

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.

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