Sr Project Manager

Pacific Life; Newport Beach (CA); Hybrid; USD 168,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Wellbeing Reimbursement Account

Paid Time Off

Holiday Schedule

Parental Leave

401k with company match

Job summary

Pacific Life in Newport Beach, CA seeks a Sr Project Manager to join our Portfolio and Program Management team. You will lead cross-functional initiatives in a hybrid, iterative delivery environment, balancing planning and adaptability with a strong sense of ownership.

The role requires 10+ years of hybrid Agile experience, excellent facilitation and communication, and the ability to influence across stakeholders while navigating regulated industry contexts.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of project management experience in hybrid delivery environments.
• Strong facilitation and communication skills, with ability to lead through ambiguity.
• Experience managing cross-team delivery with iterative and milestone-driven work.
• Familiarity with Jira, Confluence, Azure DevOps, Microsoft Project or Smartsheet.
• Influence without authority and coordination across stakeholder groups.
• Experience in regulated industries (insurance/financial services) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead large-scale initiatives across business and technology teams using Agile, waterfall, and hybrid methods.
• Establish pragmatic delivery plans and adjust based on feedback and priorities.
• Facilitate clear communication across teams and stakeholders for timely decisions.
• Identify risks, manage trade-offs, and escalate to maintain momentum.
• Partner with product managers and delivery leads to align scope and timing.
• Monitor work in progress and manage dependencies and impediments.
• Provide leadership to keep teams focused and business outcomes on track.

Skills

Project management

Hybrid Agile delivery

Facilitation

Communication

Stakeholder coordination

Education

CSM/CSM certified

CSP

PMP

PMI-ACP

SAFe Scrum Master / SA

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.

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 escalation 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

#LI-KP1

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

• 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.