AVP, Policy Administration Strategy & Architecture

Job Description

Pacific Life is seeking an Assistant Vice President, Policy Administration Strategy & Architecture to drive the strategic direction and execution of policy administration systems.

Strategic Leadership & Transformation

• Define and evolve the technology strategy and capability roadmap for Policy Administration aligned to enterprise architecture and business priorities.
• Partner in a “two-in-a-box” model with business leadership to co-own shared OKRs and outcomes.
• Drive modernization by decoupling legacy components, enabling composable services, and adopting next-gen platforms and AI-driven capabilities.
• Identify where automation and AI can materially improve straight-through processing, service efficiency, data quality, and customer experience.

Platform Delivery & Execution

• Lead dedicated engineering teams responsible for core Policy Administration platforms, including FAST.
• Translate business needs into crisp, actionable delivery plans—turning vision into roadmaps, epics, and user stories with strong acceptance criteria.
• Own execution cadence: PI planning, sprint prioritization, release strategy, and delivery metrics using agile and DevOps practices.
• Set delivery quality standards and ensure strong execution across design, build, testing, training, launch, and support.
• Remove roadblocks, manage dependencies, and maintain alignment across Technology, Product, Operations, and Enterprise Architecture.

Architecture & Solution Design

• Own architectural decisions across Policy Administration platforms to ensure scalability, modularity, resiliency, and reuse.
• Guide the design of orchestration layers, APIs/integration patterns, unified workflows, and digital self-service experiences.
• Ensure technology investments align to business outcomes and support long-term platform sustainability.

Talent & Team Development

• Build, mentor, and retain high-performing teams (employees + contractors + partners).
• Promote modern engineering practices and skills development (agile, DevOps, and GenAI enablement).
• Partner with HR and L&D on workforce planning, role clarity, and capability uplift.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in technology leadership roles, ideally within life and annuity insurance.
• Experience leading policy administration systems and large-scale modernization initiatives.
• Strong understanding of annuity/life products and core insurance operations.
• Proven ability to lead architecture + delivery across complex platforms and integrations.
• Experience with SaaS platforms and integrating SaaS with core administration systems.
• Strong command of agile delivery, product-centric operating models, and DevSecOps practices.
• Executive-level stakeholder influence and communication skills.
• Experience managing hybrid teams and vendor/partner relationships.
• Hands-on leadership style with a bias toward clarity, outcomes, and continuous improvement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strategic thinker with a bias for action and continuous improvement.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and driving clarity in complex environments.
• Passionate about talent development and building inclusive, high-performing teams.

Benefits

• 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.

Base Pay Range

Base salary range: $210,000 - $260,000

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.