SVP Chief Compliance & Ethics Officer
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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 Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance & Ethics Officer to join Pacific Life in Newport Beach, CA. This leader will architect, lead, and continuously strengthen Pacific Life's enterprise-wide compliance and ethics function, ensuring the highest standards of integrity, regulatory adherence, and ethical conduct across a complex global financial services organization. Reporting directly to the Chief Legal Officer, with a dotted-line relationship to the Chief Risk Officer, the SVP, Chief Compliance & Ethics Officer will serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO, Management Committee, and Board, and will be a valued senior leader within both the Legal & Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management functions. This executive will build and lead a modern, forward-looking compliance organization that balances strong governance and domain expertise with practical execution, while championing Pacific Life's Values, Purpose, and long-term business success. How you'll help move us forward: Enterprise Compliance & Ethics Leadership Lead Pacific Life's global compliance and ethics framework, setting enterprise strategy, priorities, and operating rhythm. Oversee the Code of Conduct, ethics education and awareness, ethics helpline, and enterprise ethics program. Serve as Pacific Life's senior compliance executive, providing independent oversight while enabling responsible business growth. Provide direct reporting and regular updates to the Governance & Nominating Committee of the Pacific Mutual Holding Company Board of Directors. Regulatory & Risk Partnership Partner closely with the Chief Legal Officer, Chief Risk Officer, CEO, and Management Committee to address regulatory risk, emerging issues, and organizational priorities. Act as a key second-line leader, overseeing first- and second-line compliance activities, excluding differentiated compliance activities led by Business Division General Counsels. Lead proactive compliance risk assessments, monitoring, escalation, and remediation efforts. Compliance Program Scope The scope of responsibility includes enterprise oversight of: Insurance regulatory compliance , with a heavy focus on life and annuity products, but also includes reinsurance, institutional and group benefits. Investment, fund, and securities compliance, including separate accounts Privacy and AI compliance programs, ensuring compliance with evolving global privacy and technology regulations Ethics program governance and execution Vendor and third-party compliance oversight (vendor management responsibilities to be consolidated within the function) Team & Organizational Leadership Lead and develop a team of approximately 50 compliance professionals. Strengthen leadership capability and build future-ready talent, upgrading skills, bench strength, and succession where needed. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusion, and ethical decision-making. Leverage strong external networks, regulatory relationships, and industry insights to continuously elevate the function. What makes you stand out: Industry & Functional Experience Minimum 20+ years of relevant professional experience, with 10-15+ years in financial services, insurance, or closely related industries Deep life insurance and annuity compliance expertise required Investment, fund, and separate account compliance experience required Demonstrated experience leading or overseeing a formal ethics program, including code of conduct and whistleblower/helpline frameworks Proven success operating in a matrixed, enterprise environment; global experience is a strong plus Significant exposure to consumer-facing businesses, which represent the majority of enterprise compliance risk Leadership Background Prior experience operating as a senior, enterprise-level compliance leader with credibility at the executive and Board levels Strong record of building, coaching, and developing leadership teams Ability to influence without authority, partner effectively across stakeholder groups, and balance independence with collaboration Education & Professional Credentials Juris Doctor or advanced legal degree not required , but viewed as a strong asset Candidates without a legal background must bring substantial operational and compliance leadership experience, particularly within life