At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic initiatives and oversee complex portfolios to drive impactful business outcomes.
- Company: Join Pacific Life, a purpose-driven company transforming the insurance industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, relocation assistance, and a hybrid work schedule.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative team focused on innovation and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: 12+ years of leadership experience in portfolio management and strategic planning.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
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 Assistant Vice President, Portfolio & Program Management Office to join our Strategic Management & Services team in Newport Beach, California.
This role follows a hybrid schedule of four days in the office.
If you are not currently located near our office, we offer comprehensive relocation assistance.
As Assistant Vice President, Portfolio & Program Management Office (PPMO), you will lead the Consumer Markets Division's (CMD) Portfolio and Program Management Office and play a critical role in translating strategy into disciplined execution and measurable business outcomes.
You will oversee a complex portfolio spanning strategic transformation, business-critical initiatives, AI-enabled programs, and ongoing investments that support the strength and evolution of Pacific Life's life insurance and annuity businesses.
This is an opportunity to lead at the center of one of Pacific Life's most established and consequential businesses.
The PPMO is where the division's strategic priorities become actionable programs, where investments are prioritized and resourced, and where diverse teams come together to deliver meaningful outcomes for customers and distribution partners.
As a member of the Strategic Management & Services leadership team, you will serve as a trusted advisor to senior business and technology leaders, bring transparency to complex decisions, and help shape how Pacific Life operates in an increasingly connected enterprise environment.
You will lead an established organization of approximately 35 portfolio, program, project, and agile professionals, including five to six direct reports, while building the capabilities required to support the division's future growth and transformation.
How you'll help move us forward
- Lead the Consumer Markets Division's portfolio management and PPMO function, ensuring strategic investments, transformation initiatives, and business-critical programs align with divisional priorities and measurable business outcomes.
- Establish and continuously strengthen portfolio planning, prioritization, capacity management, resource allocation, investment governance, and benefits realization practices.
- Oversee delivery of the division's most complex, high-impact programs, including multiyear transformation initiatives supporting underwriting and new business, operations, sales, and distribution capabilities.
- Provide senior leaders with clear portfolio insights, risk transparency, decision support, and executive-level reporting that improve alignment, accountability, and predictability.
- Partner across the Consumer Markets Division, Pacific Life Technology, People Experience, Finance, Risk, and other enterprise functions to resolve barriers, align priorities, and accelerate business outcomes.
- Balance strategic transformation with the business-critical work required to support existing customers, distribution partners, products, and operations.
- Lead governance processes that support executive decision-making, investment oversight, portfolio health, and effective deployment of financial and organizational resources.
- Simplify and strengthen project and program delivery standards, methodologies, reporting practices, and execution disciplines while preserving the agility needed to respond to changing business priorities.
- Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing team of portfolio, program, project, and agile professionals, building leadership depth and future-ready capabilities across the PPMO organization.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and results while helping teams navigate ambiguity and an evolving enterprise operating model.
- Represent the Consumer Markets Division in enterprise portfolio planning, governance, and prioritization activities, helping build stronger connections and more integrated ways of working across Pacific Life.
The experience you bring
- Bachelor's degree required
- 12+ years of leadership experience in portfolio management, PPMO or PMO leadership, strategic planning, program delivery, or large-scale business transformation.
- Demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional portfolios and transformation initiatives with significant organizational, financial, or customer impact.
- Deep expertise in portfolio planning, prioritization, investment governance, capaci
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AVP, Portfolio & Program Management Office employer: pacificlife
At Pacific Life, we believe in fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment where every employee can thrive. As a Senior Business Analyst in our Product Development team, you'll enjoy a supportive culture that prioritises your well-being and offers flexible benefits tailored to your needs. With opportunities for professional growth and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the financial services industry, working in beautiful locations like Newport Beach, Omaha, or Charlotte makes this role not just a job, but a fulfilling career with purpose.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land AVP, Portfolio & Program Management Office
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like AVP, Portfolio & Program Management Office at pacificlife!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like pacificlife or be willing to refer you for that AVP, Portfolio & Program Management Office position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from pacificlife who’s on the lookout for their next AVP, Portfolio & Program Management Office star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time AVP, Portfolio & Program Management Office role at pacificlife!
We think you need these skills to ace AVP, Portfolio & Program Management Office
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at pacificlife. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at pacificlife
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at pacificlife. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
