Data Center & Infrastructure Director

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 Data Center & Infrastructure Director to join our team in Newport Beach, CA. This role is hybrid. We believe in empowering our employees to get work done both in and out of the office.

As a Data Center & Infrastructure Director, you’ll play a key role in Pacific Life’s growth and long-term success by modernizing our data center, computing platform, server, storage, and cloud infrastructure platforms, workflows, and orchestration automation. You will fill an existing role that sits on a team of forty people in the Pacific Life Technology division. Your colleagues will include other directors and managers in the cloud and data center platform space. The teams report to the AVP and have a direct line of reporting to the CIO.

As the Data Center & Infrastructure Director, you will be responsible for overseeing the strategic and operational management of our data center and computing infrastructure. Your leadership will ensure high availability, efficiency, and security while supporting the organization's technology and business goals.

How you’ll help move us forward:

• Develop and execute a strategic roadmap for data center operations, aligning with business and IT objectives.
• Lead a team of data center professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee capacity planning, ensuring scalability and optimal resource utilization.
• Implement and maintain industry best practices for security, compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure the highest levels of uptime and reliability by developing and enforcing proactive maintenance strategies.
• Manage vendor relationships, negotiate contracts, and oversee third-party services for facility management and hardware procurement.
• Develop an overall computing platform strategy with the right mix of on-premises infrastructure, public cloud, and hybrid cloud.
• Develop and enforce disaster recovery and business continuity plans to mitigate risks.
• Monitor industry trends and emerging technologies to maintain a competitive edge.
• Collaborate with executive leadership and stakeholders to align data center strategies with broader IT and business goals.
• Provides leadership to managers and professional staff. Develops departmental plans, including business, production and/or organizational priorities.

The experience you bring:

• 10+ years of experience in data center management, IT infrastructure, or related fields.
• 4-year degree or equivalent experience
• Proven track record of leading large-scale, mission-critical data center environments.
• Strong understanding of networking, server infrastructure, cloud technologies, and hybrid environments.
• Expertise in data center power and cooling systems, redundancy planning, and energy efficiency best practices.
• Deep knowledge of compliance and security frameworks such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR.
• A demonstrated ability to build high-performance teams and mentor future leaders.
• Budgeting and financial management experience, including cost optimization strategies.
• Hands-on experience with disaster recovery planning, incident management, and operational risk mitigation.
• Familiarity with automation, monitoring, and management tools for optimizing data center performance.
• Experience working in regulated industries or high-availability environments (e.g., finance, healthcare, etc.).
• Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to engage both technical teams and executive stakeholders.

What makes you stand out:

• Experience leading global, multi-site data center operations in a large enterprise environment.
• The ability to manage hybrid cloud infrastructures and integrate on-premises data centers with public cloud providers.
• Experience implementing AI-driven data center optimization or automation strategies.
• Strong relationships within the industry and a deep understanding of emerging data center trends.
• Experience managing containers platforms
• Success in leading major data center migrations, expansions, or consolidations.
• Relevant certifications
• Experience implemented automated data center orchestration via Infrastructure as Code and automated configuration management
• Experience automating CMDB data updates for data center asset management

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.

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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.

$180,180.00 - $220,220.00

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.