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Sr. Business Development Manager - Cigna Healthcare, 0500(Hybrid; Chicago, IL)

Cigna · Chicago, IL · Full time

Posted Sep 30, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a new employer group you won. What made them leave their current carrier?

What they are checking: Whether they understand why employers switch and can show a repeatable path from prospect to close.

Tell me about a deal you lost. What did you learn and change afterward?

What they are checking: Whether they reflect honestly on losses and adjust, rather than blaming price every time.

Describe how you've kept a consultative relationship going with a prospect who wasn't ready to buy for two years.

What they are checking: Whether they play the long game that employer benefits sales usually requires.

What would you do

Walk me through how you'd build a territory plan to win new employer groups in the Chicago market in your first year.

What they are checking: Whether they can prioritize prospects and channels with a real plan instead of relying on activity alone.

How do you build a relationship with a broker who already places most of their business with a competitor?

What they are checking: Whether they know brokers drive most group sales and can earn a seat at the table over time.

How would you position bundling medical with pharmacy and behavioral health to an employer who only wants to price medical?

What they are checking: Whether they can sell the value of an integrated portfolio without pushing a client past their real needs.

Your target for new membership is behind at midyear. What do you do differently in the second half?

What they are checking: Whether they diagnose pipeline problems specifically instead of just promising to work harder.

How do you work with underwriting when the rate they produce won't win the case?

What they are checking: Whether they can advocate for a deal while respecting profitability and underwriting discipline.

About the work

When you're managing an RFP, how do you make the proposal answer what this employer actually cares about rather than sending a standard response?

What they are checking: Whether they tailor responses to the client's cost, network and member needs, which separates winning proposals.

What would you look at in an employer's claims or renewal history to shape your pitch?

What they are checking: Whether they understand group benefits economics like trend, utilization and stop-loss exposure.

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The full job description

As published by Cigna.

Cigna Healthcare is seeking a strategic and results-driven Senior Business Development Manager to drive new business growth within an assigned territory. This hybrid role is responsible for developing and executing sales and business development strategies focused on acquiring new employer groups through direct and broker distribution channels. As a senior member of the sales organization, you will leverage your expertise in healthcare solutions, employee benefits, and consultative selling to identify opportunities, build relationships, and deliver customized solutions that meet client needs. You will serve as a trusted partner to brokers, consultants, prospective clients, and internal stakeholders while representing Cigna Healthcare's portfolio of Medical, Dental, Pharmacy, and Behavioral Health solutions. What You'll Do • Develop and execute territory growth strategies to acquire new employer group customers through direct sales efforts and broker/consultant partnerships. • Meet or exceed annual business objectives related to new account acquisition, membership growth, revenue growth, and profitability. • Manage the full sales lifecycle for Cigna Healthcare solutions, including Medical, Dental, Pharmacy, and Behavioral Health offerings. • Lead new business opportunities from prospecting through proposal development, RFP management, presentation, and close. • Build and maintain strong relationships with brokers, consultants, prospective clients, and key decision-makers to drive long-term growth. • Partner with cross-functional teams to develop competitive solutions and deliver exceptional client experiences. • Maintain a robust sales pipeline, accurately track opportunities, and identify new market opportunities within the territory. Required Qualifications • Strong business development, consultative selling, and relationship management capabilities. • Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and communication skills. • Ability to work independently while effectively collaborating across cross-functional and matrixed teams. • Highly motivated, organized, and results-oriented with strong time management skills. • Ability to obtain and maintain all required licenses. • Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record. Preferred Qualifications • 5+ years of sales, business development, account management, or related client-facing experience. • Prior healthcare, health insurance, employee benefits, underwriting, operations, or managed care experience strongly preferred. • 1-2+ years of managed care sales experience. • Demonstrated ability to consistently achieve or exceed sales and growth goals. • Experience working with brokers, consultants, employer groups, and healthcare benefit decision-makers. • Proven ability to develop strategic sales plans, manage complex opportunities, and influence decision-makers. 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. This role is also anticipated to be eligible to participate in an incentive compensation 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, paid holidays, and leaves of absence. 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 need a reasonable accommodation to complete the online application process, please email seeyourself@thecignagroup.com for assistance. Please note that this email inbox is dedicated to accommodation requests only and cannot provide application updates or accept resumes. 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.

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