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Role Description

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. 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.

• Owns the end-to-end questionnaire response for medical, stop loss, retiree, behavioral, and onsite health services.
• 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.
• Interacts with internal and external SMEs as needed.
• Part of Cigna's U.S. Commercial RFP Strategy and Operations team, primarily supporting G&E business but may provide cross-support to other business types and sales segments as needed.

Critical Role Components:

• Collaborates closely with sales, presale, content teams, and other matrix partners to support the bid process for both prospective and existing Cigna clients.
• Owns the questionnaire response, ensuring it portrays Cigna's enterprise strategy as well as client-specific strategy.
• Manages matrix partner relationships, sets timetables and deadlines, and communicates strategy to ensure the final questionnaire meets broker/client and sales specifications.
• Ensures the final product is of high quality, depicts Cigna's value proposition, and resonates with the audience.
• Manages the proposal process from initial proposal receipt to construction of the final proposal and production of the client binders.
• Reviews the questionnaire for tone, flow, and accuracy, ensuring all responses are current, correct, and complete.
• Maintains and demonstrates knowledge of Cigna products, administrative processes, and new initiatives.
• Sets up and facilitates strategy calls for assigned proposals, providing a prepared agenda and managing post-call notes.
• Identifies and outsources questions requiring exclusive responses to the appropriate Content Writer.
• Effectively manages timeline and negotiates delivery dates with Sales, Content Writers, and Matrix Partners.
• Provides timely and consistent communication to Sales, Matrix Partners, and Content Writers.
• Responds to client questionnaires with unique responses that highlight sales strategy and Cigna’s competitive advantage.
• Drives for complete binders/submissions, minimizing activities required from Matrix Partners prior to delivery.
• Ensures the final proposal binder/submission meets government bid requirements and is ready on the shipping date.
• Ability to manage multiple proposals simultaneously, effectively managing proposal development and delivery timelines.

Qualifications

• 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; training provided).
• 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.

Requirements

• Internet connection must be obtained through a cable broadband or fiber optic internet service provider with speeds of at least 10Mbps download/5Mbps upload.

Benefits

• Comprehensive range of health-related benefits including medical, vision, dental, and well-being and behavioral health programs.
• 401(k) plan.
• Company paid life insurance.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• A minimum of 18 days of paid time off per year and paid holidays.