AVP Technology Ecosystem & Partnership

Job Description: We’re seeking an energetic AVP, Technology Ecosystem & Partnership for Pacific Life’s Workforce Benefits division—an agile team just a few years into its startup journey and scaling fast. You’ll blend executive presence with deep technical chops across modern software development, enterprise architecture, data management, and IT operations, with a heavy emphasis on orchestrating complex, vendor‑delivered SaaS platforms at scale. This is a roll‑up‑your‑sleeves role: you’ll turn ambiguity into clear roadmaps, set guardrails for DevSecOps/SRE, review APIs and data models, negotiate SLAs and product roadmaps with strategic partners, and elevate operational reliability and delivery quality. If you’re fired up to lead high‑performing talent, simplify a multifaceted partner landscape, and convert technology into measurable business value, Workforce Benefits is the place to do it. Note: This role is on-site at our state-of-the-art Newport Beach, CA headquarters. Key Competencies and Attributes Strategic Influence: Ability to shape and communicate a clear technology vision that resonates across all levels of the organization. Technical Mastery: Demonstrated depth and hands-on experience across architecture, engineering, and SaaS operations. Change Leadership: Proven track record of leading large-scale transformation initiatives and managing organizational change. Business Acumen: Deep understanding of financial services or insurance, with the ability to translate business strategy into actionable technology roadmaps. Collaboration: Exceptional ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders across business, technology, and vendor ecosystems. Results Orientation: Relentless focus on delivering measurable business outcomes, balancing speed, quality, and cost-effectiveness. Key Responsibilities Visionary & Agile Technology Leadership Serve as a pivotal technology leader, partnering with the CIO and executive team to shape and execute a forward-looking technology strategy that accelerates business growth and transformation. Leads through ambiguity, adapts strategies in response to evolving priorities, and inspires teams to embrace change as a source of innovation and competitive advantage. Architect and evolve technology roadmaps, ensuring solutions are scalable, resilient, and aligned with both current and future business needs. Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, delivering insights on emerging technologies, industry trends, and innovation opportunities that drive competitive advantage. Strategic Vendor Relationship Management Own and nurture strategic partnership with core system providers. Negotiation and management of contractual agreements. Develop and influence long-term roadmaps. Engineering & Architecture Oversee the end-to-end technology ecosystem, from initial design and prototyping through delivery, optimization, and ongoing innovation. Partners with the Engineering Excellence function to embed best practices in SDLC, DevSecOps, and site reliability engineering, ensuring that technology platforms are secure, scalable, and resilient. Establishing and continuously elevating standards for engineering practices, operational reliability, and delivery quality. Lead experimentation and rapid prototyping efforts, fostering a culture of innovation and the adoption of emerging technologies. Oversight of quality assurance standards from build through delivery. Ensure architectural discipline and alignment with business objectives, prioritizing initiatives that deliver measurable impact. Operational Excellence & Delivery Drive the successful execution of technology initiatives, balancing speed, quality, and cost-effectiveness to deliver transformative results. Maintain oversight of IT operations and projects, ensuring commitments are well-planned, resourced, monitored, and transparently reported. Collaborate across the organization to proactively identify and resolve resource constraints, enabling high performance and agility. Talent Development Build, develop, and inspire a high-performing technology team, cultivating a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and accountability. Invests in talent development, mentorship, and succession planning, ensuring the team is equipped to deliver on current and future business needs. Participate in leadership competency programs and ongoing professional development is expected. Attract, recruit, and mentor top talent, championing diversity, inclusion, and professional growth. Provide organizational management for personnel and budget, ensuring resources are aligned with strategic priorities. Integrity, Transparency, and Accountability Upholding the highest standards of ethical leadership, transparency in decision-making, and accountability for results. Fosters a culture of trust, open communication, and continuous improvement, ensuring that all voices are heard and that feedback is actively sought and acted upon. Qualifications 12 years of progressive experience in technology engineering, architecture, or solution delivery, ideally within financial services or insurance. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field. Demonstrated experience with vendor management, especially large-scale cloud-based solution providers. Proven ability to apply architecture and systems-thinking to create and maintain a state-of-the-art technology ecosystem. Ability to balance technical depth with business acumen. Proven ability to design and implement scalable architectures and lead Agile development teams. Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. Experience in digital transformation, cloud, DevSecOps, and emerging technologies. High energy, entrepreneurial mindset, and a passion for driving results in a fast-paced environment. Leadership experience with cross-functional teams; ability to coach, mentor, and inspire. Preferred Attributes Experience in a startup or high-growth environment. Charismatic leader who embraces a culture of trust, transparency, and innovation. Employee benefits experience. You can be who you are. People come first here. We’re committed to a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. Learn more about how we create a welcoming work environment through Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at www.pacificlife.com. What’s life like at Pacific Life? Visit Instagram.com/lifeatpacificlife. Benefits start Day 1. Your wellbeing is important. We’re committed to providing 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 a 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: 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 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. We’re over 150 years old, but there’s more to us than heritage. We’re ambitious. We’re committed to building a better future – for our organization, our employees, our customers, and our communities – and we have the experience, resources, and financial strength to make it happen. We’re investing in innovation. We’re honing our expertise. We’re empowering our people: growing digital skills and fostering the disruptive thinking we need to give us the edge in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. Have ambitions of your own? Let’s achieve them together. At Pacific Life, we believe that success comes down to our people. That’s why we’re committed to embracing a flexible, diverse, and inclusive workplace where you can be your best self and do your best work. Our people-first culture creates a sense of belonging and prioritizes employee wellbeing, empowering you to achieve your full potential through our holistic health benefits, flexible working options, and a vibrant community of people working towards a shared purpose. You can connect with colleagues through employee connections groups, sharing your passions, interests, and ideas. Learn more about our Life at Pacific Life. Don't see the dream job you are looking for? Click "Get Started" below to drop off your contact information and resume and we will reach out to you if we find a match.