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Our people make all the difference in our success. Proposal Strategist

Role Summary

The Proposal Strategist supports the sales process by preparing and responding to request for proposal (RFP) questionnaires and other RFP response documents within the Government and Education (G&E) vertical. These requests include client specifications, bid forms, requirements, finalist questionnaires, follow-up questions, etc. The qualified individual uses his/her knowledge of Cigna's business and products, together with access to a library of pre-established content and developed relationships with subject matter experts, to create strategically positioned responses and materials that support the win strategy.

The Proposal Strategist owns the end-to-end questionnaire response for medical, stop loss, retiree, behavioral, and onsite health services. The optimal candidate drives for better and faster ways to answer as much of the questionnaire as possible using existing resources and personal knowledge of Cigna's business and solutions. This individual may interact with internal and external SMEs as needed.

This individual is part of Cigna's U.S. Commercial RFP Strategy and Operations team. This position primarily supports G&E business but may also be expected to provide cross-support to other business types and sales segments as needed.

Critical Role Components

With effective project and resource management, this individual collaborates closely with sales, presale, content teams, and other matrix partners to support the bid process for both prospective and existing Cigna clients. The Proposal Strategist owns the questionnaire response, responding in a way that portrays Cigna's enterprise strategy as well as client-specific strategy. This individual manages matrix partner relationships, sets timetables and deadlines, and communicates strategy to ensure the final questionnaire meets broker/client and sales specifications. As a critical player in the RFP process, he/she also ensures the final product is of high quality, depicts Cigna's value proposition, and resonates with our audience.

• Manage the proposal process, in conjunction with assigned Presale Analyst, from initial proposal receipt to construction of the final proposal and production of the client binders.
• Review the questionnaire for tone, flow and accuracy. All responses should be current, correct and complete in a deadline driven environment.
• A strong and growing understanding of the Government Segment, including the sales structure and dedicated specialized resources.
• Understanding of procurement-based proposal requirements, driving proposal development to meet customer requirements, and partnering with Matrix Partners as required.
• Maintain and demonstrate knowledge of Cigna products, administrative processes and new initiatives as they are introduced to assist Sales and the Proposal teams in the completion of RFPs.
• Set-up and facilitate strategy calls for assigned proposals demonstrating product knowledge and understanding of the government procurement process. Provide a prepared agenda prior to the call; add strategic direction during the call and manage post strategy call notes including customer specific issues.
• Identify and outsource questions requiring exclusive responses in a timely fashion to the appropriate Content Writer. Responsible for final customer product, ensuring responsiveness to requirements and articulation of Cigna's responses.
• Effectively manage timeline and negotiate delivery dates with Sales, Content Writers, and Matrix Partners and provide alternative solutions to meet their needs.
• Provide timely and consistent communication to Sales, Matrix Partners and Content Writers, both written and verbal
• Respond to client questionnaires by providing unique responses that clearly highlight sales strategy, address the client’s key buying criteria and display Cigna’s competitive advantage in the marketplace.
• Drive for binders/submission to be as complete as possible. Minimize the activities that Matrix Partners (e.g. Sales) are required to handle prior to delivery.
• Own and ensure the final proposal binder/submission meets the requirements of the government bid, e.g., format, layout, legal requirements, scope of services, terms and conditions, procurement requirements, signature forms, etc. and is ready on the day the case is scheduled to ship.
• Ability to manage multiple proposals simultaneously, effectively managing proposal development and delivery timelines.

Qualifications

Your skills, experience, talent, and creativity enable us to develop the meaningful, innovative solutions our customers value and expect. That’s why we are committed to recruiting, motivating and nurturing the best and the brightest. So, what does it take to be an ideal candidate for this role?

• Bachelor's degree, or at least 2 years relevant proposal and/or health care experience (Government experience a plus)
• Solid understanding of Cigna's products and services (a plus, but not required; we’ll train the right candidate)
• Strong writing skills, including ability to create proposal responses from scratch with minimal or no direction
• Critical thinker who can quickly absorb large quantities of information and synthesize into cohesive messaging
• Exceptional verbal communication skills, including ability to facilitate conference calls with large groups
• High degree of organizational ability and strong project management skills
• Strong work ethic, with a drive to learn, collaborative spirit, and can-do/will-do attitude
• Customer focused, with a detail-oriented approach, and not afraid to take on a challenge
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, including but not limited to Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

If you will be working at home occasionally or permanently, the internet connection must be obtained through a cable broadband or fiber optic internet service provider with speeds of at least 10Mbps download/5Mbps upload.

For this position, we anticipate offering an hourly rate of 31 - 51 USD / hourly, depending on relevant factors, including experience and geographic location.

This role is also anticipated to be eligible to participate in an annual bonus plan.

At The Cigna Group, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits, with a focus on supporting your whole health. Starting on day one of your employment, you’ll be offered several health-related benefits including medical, vision, dental, and well-being and behavioral health programs. We also offer 401(k), company paid life insurance, tuition reimbursement, a minimum of 18 days of paid time off per year and paid holidays. For more details on our employee benefits programs, click here.

About Cigna Healthcare:

Cigna Healthcare, a division of The Cigna Group, is an advocate for better health through every stage of life. We guide our customers through the health care system, empowering them with the information and insight they need to make the best choices for improving their health and vitality. Join us in driving growth and improving lives.

Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, age, disability, sex, childbirth (including pregnancy) or related medical conditions including but not limited to lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital or familial status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by applicable equal employment opportunity laws.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing the online application process, please email: See Yourself@cigna.com for support. Do not email See Yourself@cigna.com for an update on your application or to provide your resume as you will not receive a response.

The Cigna Group has a tobacco-free policy and reserves the right not to hire tobacco/nicotine users in states where that is legally permissible. Candidates in such states who use tobacco/nicotine will not be considered for employment unless they enter a qualifying smoking cessation program prior to the start of their employment. These states include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Washington State.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with all federal, state and local ordinances.