RFP Q&A Strategist - G&E - Cigna Healthcare - Remote

The job profile for this position is Proposal Support Analyst, which is a Band 2 Senior Contributor Career Track Role.

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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.
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