RFP Content Optimization Team Lead

The RFP Content Optimization Team Lead within RFP Strategy & Operations acts as an extension of the management team, providing content team oversight, acting as an RFP Q&A subject matter expert, and providing a wide breadth of support for experienced front-line staff and management to drive accurate, consistent, high quality, winning proposals for the most complex cases.

This role also partners with management, other RFP teams, and key organizational business partners to influence solution-based ideas and to implement continuous improvement and service excellence initiatives.

The Team Lead must have prior experience as a proposal writer. This individual should possess the sales and RFP process knowledge, technical capabilities, and skill sets required to support and engage in proposal management activities across all sales markets, with a strong focus on content management.

Peer Coaching & Reviews

• Conducts both in-process and final questionnaire draft reviews of answers crafted for proposals. 
• Collaborates within his/her aligned RFP team to ensure that all answers are complete, accurate, reflect once voice, and present Cigna positively in the market, to win and retain business.
• Fosters the development of the experienced, front-line [Proposal Strategist/Consultant/Writer] staff's critical thinking, writing, and proposal project management skills when managing complex proposals.
• Supports good decisions and results through effective coaching and support of knowledge, skill set, resources, and applications of technical workflows, processes and tools.
• Provides direct mentorship for newly hired [Proposal Strategist/Consultant/Writer] working in collaboration with manager to ensure each new hire achieves critical milestones in the learning process. 

High Profile RFP Process

• Actively engages with experienced [Proposal Strategists/Consultants/Writers] to support completion of complex proposal questionnaires.
• Works within aligned RFP team to ensure support with timely, accurate, high quality, complete, winning final proposal product is delivered.
• Provides hands-on coaching and support with complex questions, including by assisting front-line staff with application of strategic messaging and customization.
• Although not this individual’s primary responsibility, the Team Lead may be required to lead completion of certain high-profile and/or complex RFPs as needed.  

Team Leadership

• The Team Lead is an extension of [Proposal Strategist/Consultant/Writer] leadership, providing coordinated support with management as needed to support in-team goals.
• May occasionally support case assignment process, applying capacity model and other factors to ensure timely assignment of new requests to the appropriate individual.
• In collaboration with management, may conduct in-team mini-trainings on critical team-specific topics not addressed by centralized training team and/or exclusively catered to the needs of his/her aligned [Proposal Strategist/Consultant/Writer] team.
• May be engaged in feedback discussions with Sales, UW and other key stakeholders, and will be expected to execute on applicable solutions as needed. 
• Proactively engages with management and training team as needed to close gaps and address trends, based on engagement with front-line case work.

Optimization Initiatives

• On point as a department resource to assist with RFP project management related to new product and program rollouts requiring questionnaire support.
• Acts as a liaison between matrix partners, RFP managers, and other applicable teams to ensure that any segment- and/or product-specific market messaging is communicated to RFP staff.
• Proactively engages with training team following department training for these new features to vet and confirm that any new SOPs and training materials developed mesh with [Proposal Strategist/Consultant/Writer] and proposal project management process needs. 
• Meets regularly with peer Team Leads to identify department trends, training and proposal tool enhancement needs across all markets/industries supported by RFP Strategy & Operations.
• Proactively, in partnership with management, identifies ways in which efficiency gains/solutions can be realized and generates ideas for key initiatives to be undertaken. 
• Participates in and/or leads RFP Strategy & Operations focused projects with organizational efficiency goals.
• Acts as a change agent providing support and motivation for the individuals/team he/she supports.

Critical Role Components

• Supports, educates and reinforces the workflows, processes, tools for experienced front-line employees for complex proposals and any new products/programs. 
• Provides confidential improvement coaching and development feedback directly to individual’s direct managers
• Partners with department training team to address any current or new product and program training needs based on any gaps or trends identified through front line proposals managed.
• Partners and engages with supervisors to assess technical support needs, provide direction, and remove barriers to ensure team meets service expectations.
• Supports and drives process improvement to further enhance service; utilize reporting and analysis to understand root cause to prevent repeat occurrences of issues at the individual and global level.
• Takes the lead for organizing and attending regular meetings with Team Lead peer group, to identify department trends and next steps associated with process improvements, required innovation, or skill set gap needs.
• Engages training, content, and any other RFP teams as required.
• Partners with Team Leads to identify and implement changes to proposal management tools, resources, processes to increase efficiencies and improve proposal questionnaire quality.
• Supports key projects or initiatives and a proposal project manager SME.
• Creates a positive and innovative environment that supports the service value focus for our external customers.
• Maintains proficiency in [Proposal Strategist/Consultant/Writer] role. Provides direct proposal support as needed during peak production periods
• Comfortable and effective working in a diverse and heavily matrixed environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• 2+ years of consistently strong performance in a Senior [Proposal Strategist/Consultant/Writer] role, or equivalent work experience.
• Proficiency in the use and application of the tools, workflows, processes in the Senior [Proposal Strategist/Consultant/Writer] role.
• Exceptional, clear, concise verbal and written communication skills.
• High level of organizational ability.
• Extensive and strong project management skills.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, and energetic, collaborative, customer-focused, innovative, results-oriented, solution focused behaviors. 
• Strong computing skills with mastery of the Microsoft Office suite of programs required.
• Proven abilities to effectively coach others.
• Proven critical thinking, decision-making, problem-solving, and utilization of technical skills.
• Proven process improvement skills, ability to assess trends, processes, and barriers to drive positive outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and develop and maintain effective relationships with individuals at various levels across the organization.

Aligned Cigna Competencies

• Manages complexity
• Collaborates
• Instills trust
• Communicates effectively
• Nimble learning
• Develops talent
• Resourcefulness

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 annual salary of 73,000 - 121,600 USD / yearly, depending on relevant factors, including experience and geographic location.

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

We want you to be healthy, balanced, and feel secure. That’s why 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) with company match, 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, visit Life at Cigna Group.

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: SeeYourself@cigna.com for support. Do not email SeeYourself@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.