Product Strategy & Operations Advisor, Well-Being Solutions - Cigna Healthcare - Hybrid
π Job Overview
Job Title: Product Strategy & Operations Advisor, Well-Being Solutions Company: Cigna Healthcare (The Cigna Group) Location: Hybrid (Philadelphia, PA; Bloomfield, CT; Plano, TX; St. Louis, MO; Tampa, FL) Job Type: Full-Time Category: Product Operations / GTM Strategy & Operations Date Posted: February 9, 2026 Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5+ years) Remote Status: Hybrid
π Role Summary
- Strategic advisory role focused on enhancing Cigna Healthcare's well-being product suite, encompassing both strategic planning and operational execution.
- Drives product performance and market competitiveness for existing programs like Well-Being Solution and Healthy Rewards, while managing transitions to next-generation platforms.
- Operates within a complex, matrixed environment, requiring strong collaboration with Product, Clinical, Operations, Technology, Vendor Management, Go-to-Market, and Client Delivery teams.
- Serves as a critical liaison to ensure seamless integration of well-being solutions across core medical, Evernorth, and vendor partner ecosystems.
π Enhancement Note: This role bridges product strategy and operational execution, indicating a need for individuals who can translate strategic vision into tangible operational processes and program management. The emphasis on "Well-Being Solutions" suggests a focus on health, wellness, and potentially employee benefits programs within the healthcare sector. The hybrid nature and multiple location options highlight the need for strong remote collaboration skills.
π Primary Responsibilities
- Support the development and execution of well-being product roadmaps, ensuring alignment with Cigna Healthcare's strategy and overall enterprise wellness objectives.
- Translate strategic product vision into actionable requirements for cross-functional partners, facilitating the delivery of enhancements and new capabilities.
- Collaborate with operations and vendor management teams to ensure effective management and delivery of well-being product solutions for employer clients.
- Assist in the strategy and execution of migrating clients from legacy wellness and incentive programs to the new platform.
- Maintain and optimize operational processes, workflows, and documentation for the entire well-being product ecosystem, ensuring efficiency and compliance.
- Act as a key liaison between Product, Operations, Clinical, Digital, and Technology teams to ensure operational readiness, coordinated delivery, and proactive issue resolution.
- Facilitate status reporting, actively identify risks, manage issue escalation, and ensure cross-functional alignment for product capabilities.
- Support enterprise governance forums by preparing materials, synthesizing program updates, and advocating for well-being product needs.
- Partner with Client Delivery, Sales, and Go-to-Market teams to ensure accurate representation and understanding of Well-Being Solution capabilities.
- Develop and refine playbooks, FAQs, readiness guides, internal messaging, and transition materials to support market adoption and client migrations.
- Provide subject matter expertise to support RFP responses, exception requests, escalations, and complex client needs related to well-being products.
- Track and analyze key program performance indicators, including engagement metrics, incentive utilization, client satisfaction, and operational KPIs.
- Identify opportunities for optimization through data insights and operational feedback loops, collaborating with analytics teams to drive measurable improvements.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives to maintain a consumer-grade, competitive well-being experience for users.
π Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic planning, operational management, cross-functional leadership, and a strong focus on process optimization and continuous improvement within the healthcare and wellness domain. This role requires proactive engagement with various departments to ensure product success from conception through delivery and ongoing management.
π Skills & Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelorβs degree or equivalent experience in Business, Healthcare Administration, Product Management, or a related field.
Experience:
- A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in product management, operations, program management, or strategy, with a strong preference for experience within the healthcare, digital health, wellness, or incentive program management sectors.
- Demonstrated ability to successfully operate and drive results within large, complex, and highly matrixed organizational structures.
- Proven experience in managing vendors, implementing program enhancements, or supporting complex cross-functional delivery initiatives.
Required Skills:
- Product Strategy & Roadmap Development: Ability to contribute to and execute product roadmaps, translating strategic goals into actionable plans.
- Operations Management: Expertise in managing and optimizing operational processes, workflows, and documentation within a product lifecycle.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to build strong partnerships and effectively navigate matrixed environments to drive alignment and achieve objectives.
- Vendor Management: Experience in managing vendor relationships, performance, and integrations to ensure service level agreements are met.
- Communication & Stakeholder Management: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information and influence diverse stakeholders.
- Process Optimization: Skilled in identifying inefficiencies, implementing process improvements, and driving continuous enhancement of operational workflows.
- Problem-Solving & Issue Resolution: Ability to proactively identify risks, troubleshoot issues, and develop effective solutions in a timely manner.
- Data Analysis & Reporting: Competency in tracking, analyzing, and reporting on program performance, engagement metrics, and operational KPIs.
Preferred Skills:
- Healthcare Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with Cigna Healthcare's platforms, internal processes, product operations, or clinical/consumer engagement models.
- Strategic Mindset: Capacity to connect daily tasks and project outcomes to broader, long-term enterprise goals and business objectives.
- Customer Focus: A strong orientation towards championing the employer and member experience in all decision-making processes.
- Adaptability & Agility: Comfort and proficiency in working with evolving priorities, emerging technologies, and dynamic market conditions.
- Governance & Compliance: Understanding of enterprise governance frameworks and compliance requirements within the healthcare sector.
π Enhancement Note: The "5+ years of experience" suggests this role is not entry-level but requires a solid foundation in operations and product management principles. The emphasis on a "matrixed organization" and "cross-functional leadership" points to the need for strong interpersonal and influence skills. Preferred skills highlight a desire for candidates who can hit the ground running with specific company knowledge.
π Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
- Case Studies of Product Implementation: Showcase examples of products or features you've managed from concept to launch, detailing the strategy, execution, and outcomes. Highlight your role in operationalizing these products.
- Process Improvement Documentation: Provide documentation or case studies demonstrating your ability to analyze existing workflows, identify bottlenecks, and implement optimized processes that led to measurable efficiency gains or cost savings.
- Cross-Functional Project Examples: Present projects where you successfully collaborated with diverse teams (e.g., Product, Engineering, Operations, Sales) to achieve a common goal, illustrating your communication and coordination skills.
- Vendor Management Case Studies: Detail instances where you managed vendor relationships for product delivery or operational support, including how you addressed challenges and ensured performance.
- Metrics & KPI Analysis: Include examples of how you've defined, tracked, and reported on key performance indicators (KPIs) for products or operational processes, demonstrating your data-driven approach.
Process Documentation:
- Workflow Design & Optimization: Evidence of designing, documenting, and optimizing complex workflows within product development or operational support functions. This could include process maps, standard operating procedures (SOPs), or flowcharts.
- Implementation & Automation Strategies: Examples of how you've contributed to the implementation of new product features or operational processes, including any automation initiatives you supported to enhance efficiency.
- Performance Measurement & Analysis: Demonstrate your ability to establish metrics for process performance, conduct regular analysis, and use insights to drive iterative improvements and ensure ongoing operational effectiveness.
π Enhancement Note: For a role emphasizing both product strategy and operations, candidates should prepare a portfolio that clearly illustrates their ability to manage the entire product lifecycle from a strategic perspective and translate that into efficient, well-documented operational processes. Quantifiable results and clear demonstrations of cross-functional collaboration are key.
π΅ Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range:
- Based on the role's mid-senior level (5+ years of experience), hybrid work arrangement, and the healthcare industry in major US metropolitan areas (Philadelphia, Bloomfield, Plano, St. Louis, Tampa), the estimated salary range for a Product Strategy & Operations Advisor is typically between $95,000 and $135,000 annually. This range can vary based on specific experience, qualifications, and the final negotiation.
Benefits:
- Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents, reflecting Cigna's core business.
- Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) with company match, designed to support long-term financial security.
- Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays to promote work-life balance.
- Life and Disability Insurance: Employer-provided life insurance and short-term/long-term disability coverage.
- Wellness Programs: Access to Cigna's own well-being resources and programs, aligning with the product suite focus.
- Professional Development: Opportunities for training, certifications, and continuing education to support career growth in product management and operations.
- Hybrid Work Flexibility: Structured hybrid model allowing for a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work.
Working Hours:
- Standard full-time work hours, typically around 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement allows for flexibility in daily scheduling, balancing in-office days with remote work to optimize collaboration and individual productivity.
π Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in the specified locations and experience level. Cigna, as a major healthcare provider, is expected to offer a competitive benefits package that aligns with its industry and employee well-being focus. The hybrid nature is a key benefit, providing flexibility.
π― Team & Company Context
π’ Company Culture
Industry: Healthcare (Health Insurance, Health Services, and Benefits) Company Size: Large Enterprise (The Cigna Group is a global health services company with tens of thousands of employees) Founded: 1792 (Cigna), with roots tracing back further through its predecessor companies. The Cigna Group as it exists today is a result of various mergers and acquisitions, reflecting a long history of evolution in the healthcare sector.
Team Structure:
- The role operates within the Well-Being Solutions product team, likely a specialized unit within Cigna Healthcare's broader Product organization.
- This team is expected to be highly matrixed, with direct and indirect reporting lines to product leads, operations managers, and potentially clinical or strategy directors.
- Close collaboration with numerous departments including Core Medical Product, Evernorth Product, Technology, Digital, Vendor Management, Client Delivery, Sales, and Go-to-Market teams is fundamental to the role's success.
Methodology:
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on using engagement metrics, performance KPIs, and client feedback to inform product strategy and operational adjustments.
- Agile & Iterative Development: While not explicitly stated, product development and enhancement in such a large organization often follow agile principles, requiring adaptability and continuous feedback loops.
- Customer-Centric Approach: A strong focus on understanding and meeting the needs of both employer clients and end-users (members) to drive engagement and satisfaction with well-being solutions.
- Process Excellence: Commitment to maintaining and improving operational workflows, documentation, and governance to ensure reliable and efficient product delivery.
Company Website: https://www.thecignagroup.com/
π Enhancement Note: Cigna operates in a highly regulated and competitive industry, which shapes its culture towards diligence, compliance, and a strategic focus on innovation and customer value. The company's long history suggests stability and a commitment to long-term growth and employee development. The "Well-Being Solutions" focus indicates a forward-looking strategy in preventative health and holistic wellness.
π Career & Growth Analysis
Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an "Advisor," typically indicating a mid-to-senior level individual contributor with significant subject matter expertise and the ability to influence without direct authority. It serves as a stepping stone for those aspiring to senior product management or operations leadership roles within the healthcare sector.
Reporting Structure: The Advisor will likely report to a Product Manager, Senior Product Manager, or Director overseeing Well-Being Solutions. They will work closely with peers across Product, Operations, Technology, and other Go-to-Market functions.
Operations Impact: This role directly impacts revenue and business decisions by:
- Ensuring the competitiveness and marketability of Cigna's well-being products.
- Driving client retention and acquisition through excellent product performance and seamless transitions.
- Optimizing operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness of well-being solutions.
- Contributing to Cigna's strategic positioning in the rapidly growing wellness and digital health market.
Growth Opportunities:
- Product Management Specialization: Potential to move into Senior Product Manager roles, taking ownership of specific product lines or features within the well-being suite.
- Operations Leadership: Opportunity to advance into Product Operations Management or broader operational leadership roles, managing teams and strategic initiatives.
- Strategic Initiatives: Involvement in larger transformation projects, platform migrations, or new market entries within Cigna Healthcare.
- Industry Expertise Development: Deepening knowledge in healthcare product strategy, digital health, wellness program design, and incentive mechanics.
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Developing skills in influencing, negotiation, and collaboration across a large enterprise, preparing for leadership roles that require broad stakeholder management.
π Enhancement Note: The "Advisor" title suggests a role that requires seasoned professionals who can guide strategy and operations. The emphasis on career destination within product management indicates a clear path for growth. The hybrid nature of the role and the company's scale offer opportunities for broad exposure and skill development.
π Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid work model, combining remote work with in-office collaboration days. This suggests a modern office environment designed to support collaboration, team meetings, and focused work when employees are on-site.
Office Location(s): The role is open to candidates in Philadelphia, PA; Bloomfield, CT; Plano, TX; St. Louis, MO; and Tampa, FL, offering geographic flexibility. These locations likely house significant operational and product development teams.
Workspace Context:
- Collaborative Spaces: Offices are expected to have meeting rooms, huddle spaces, and common areas conducive to team collaboration, brainstorming, and cross-functional alignment sessions.
- Technology-Enabled: Employees will have access to standard office technology, secure network access, and potentially specialized tools required for product management and operations. Remote work setups will require reliable internet connectivity (cable broadband or fiber optic with at least 10Mbps download/5Mbps upload).
- Team Interaction: While hybrid, opportunities for in-person interaction with colleagues, product teams, and operations stakeholders will be structured, likely on designated in-office days, to foster strong working relationships and knowledge sharing.
Work Schedule:
- Standard full-time hours (approximately 40 hours/week) are expected. The hybrid model offers flexibility in how these hours are structured, allowing employees to balance personal needs with professional responsibilities while ensuring key collaboration periods are met.
π Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a significant aspect of the work environment, requiring candidates to be self-disciplined and effective communicators in both remote and in-office settings. The company's investment in technology and office spaces reflects a commitment to supporting employee productivity and collaboration.
π Application & Portfolio Review Process
Interview Process:
- Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely conduct a brief phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
- Hiring Manager Interview: A more in-depth discussion with the hiring manager focusing on your experience, understanding of product operations, strategic thinking, and how you align with the role's responsibilities.
- Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders from Product, Operations, Technology, or Client Delivery teams. These may include behavioral questions, situational assessments, and discussions about your approach to collaboration and problem-solving.
- Portfolio Review / Case Study: A critical stage where you will present your portfolio, showcasing specific examples of your work in product strategy, operations, and process improvement. You may be asked to walk through a case study demonstrating how you've solved a complex problem or driven a successful outcome.
- Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader (Director or VP level) to assess strategic alignment, leadership potential, and overall fit with the organization's vision.
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Quantify Everything: For each project in your portfolio, clearly articulate the problem, your solution, your role, and the quantifiable results (e.g., increased engagement by X%, reduced operational costs by Y%, improved client satisfaction scores by Z%).
- Focus on Process: Emphasize your role in defining, optimizing, and documenting operational processes. Use process maps or flowcharts where relevant to illustrate your contributions.
- Highlight Collaboration: Clearly articulate how you worked with different departments and stakeholders. Use examples to demonstrate your ability to influence and gain alignment.
- Tailor to Cigna: Research Cigna Healthcare's current well-being initiatives, market position, and recent news. Frame your experience in a way that demonstrates how you can contribute to their specific goals.
- Structure Your Narrative: For case studies, use a clear STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or PAR (Problem, Action, Result) method to present your experience effectively.
Challenge Preparation:
- Process Optimization Challenge: Be prepared for a hypothetical scenario where you need to identify inefficiencies in a given product or operational process and propose solutions, including how you would measure success and manage implementation.
- Strategic Alignment Question: Expect questions about how you align product operations with broader business strategy and how you would prioritize competing demands from different stakeholders.
- Communication & Influence Exercise: You might be asked to explain a complex technical or operational concept to a non-technical audience, or how you would gain buy-in for a new process from resistant teams.
π Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a "portfolio review" and "case study" highlights the practical, execution-oriented nature of this role. Candidates should be ready to demonstrate their impact with concrete examples and data. Preparing to discuss how you've navigated complex, matrixed environments will be crucial.
π Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Tools:
- CRM Systems (e.g., Salesforce): For understanding client interactions, managing sales pipelines, and potentially tracking product adoption or client-specific configurations.
- Project Management Software (e.g., Jira, Asana, Microsoft Project): Essential for managing product roadmaps, tracking development progress, coordinating cross-functional tasks, and maintaining workflow visibility.
- Collaboration Suites (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack): For real-time communication, team coordination, document sharing, and virtual meetings, especially critical in a hybrid environment.
- Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Tools: While less common for pure operations roles, familiarity with tools that manage product data and workflows throughout their lifecycle could be beneficial.
Analytics & Reporting:
- Business Intelligence (BI) Tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Qlik Sense): For creating dashboards, analyzing performance metrics, tracking KPIs, and generating reports on product engagement, operational efficiency, and client satisfaction.
- Spreadsheet Software (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets): For detailed data analysis, ad-hoc reporting, and modeling. Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, macros) are often expected.
- Analytics Platforms (e.g., Google Analytics for web/app data): If the well-being solutions have a digital component, understanding how to interpret user behavior data is important.
CRM & Automation:
- Salesforce or similar CRM: As mentioned, critical for client and sales context.
- Workflow Automation Tools (e.g., Zapier, Microsoft Power Automate, internal tools): Experience in identifying opportunities for and potentially configuring simple automations to streamline operational tasks.
- Documentation & Knowledge Management Platforms (e.g., Confluence, SharePoint, internal wikis): For creating and maintaining operational playbooks, FAQs, and readiness guides.
π Enhancement Note: The technology stack emphasizes tools for collaboration, project management, data analysis, and CRM. A candidate's ability to leverage these tools to drive efficiency, track performance, and support product strategy will be a key differentiator. Familiarity with healthcare-specific platforms or integrations would be a strong plus.
π₯ Team Culture & Values
Operations Values:
- Customer Centricity: A commitment to understanding and delivering exceptional experiences for both employer clients and end-users, ensuring well-being solutions meet diverse needs.
- Data-Driven Excellence: A strong emphasis on using data and analytics to inform decisions, measure impact, and drive continuous improvement in product performance and operational efficiency.
- Collaboration & Partnership: Fostering strong, cross-functional relationships to break down silos, share knowledge, and achieve shared goals in a complex matrixed environment.
- Agility & Adaptability: Embracing change, responding effectively to evolving market dynamics, and maintaining flexibility in priorities and approaches.
- Accountability & Ownership: Taking responsibility for outcomes, driving initiatives to completion, and proactively managing risks and issues.
Collaboration Style:
- Proactive Communication: Regularly sharing updates, insights, and potential roadblocks with relevant stakeholders across Product, Operations, Technology, and Sales/Client Delivery.
- Solution-Oriented: Focusing on finding practical, effective solutions to challenges, often involving collaborative problem-solving sessions.
- Knowledge Sharing: Actively contributing to shared documentation, best practices, and lessons learned to build collective expertise within the team and organization.
- Feedback Integration: Open to receiving and providing constructive feedback to improve processes, products, and team dynamics.
π Enhancement Note: Cigna's values likely emphasize health, integrity, and innovation. For this role, the culture will heavily rely on collaboration within a matrixed structure, data-informed decision-making, and a commitment to improving customer well-being through effective product operations.
β‘ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Challenges:
- Navigating Matrixed Environments: Effectively influencing and driving action across multiple departments and reporting structures without direct authority.
- Balancing Strategic Vision with Operational Execution: Ensuring that the day-to-day operational work directly supports and advances the long-term product strategy.
- Legacy System Migrations: Managing the complexities and potential disruptions associated with migrating clients and internal processes from older systems to new platforms.
- Driving Engagement in Wellness Programs: Overcoming user inertia and demonstrating tangible value to encourage consistent participation in well-being solutions.
- Rapidly Evolving Market: Keeping pace with new technologies, competitor offerings, and changing consumer expectations in the digital health and wellness space.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Deep Dive into Healthcare Product Management: Gain specialized knowledge in health insurance products, wellness program design, incentive structures, and regulatory considerations.
- Advanced Operations & Process Improvement: Develop expertise in lean methodologies, Six Sigma, or other process optimization frameworks applied within a large enterprise.
- Cross-Functional Leadership Skills: Enhance abilities in negotiation, stakeholder management, change management, and executive communication.
- Digital Health & Wellness Trends: Stay abreast of emerging technologies, behavioral science applications, and market trends shaping the future of well-being solutions.
- Formal Training & Certifications: Potential for company-sponsored training, workshops, or certifications in product management, project management, or relevant operational disciplines.
π Enhancement Note: This role presents significant opportunities for growth by tackling complex challenges within a large, established healthcare organization. The challenges are typical for roles bridging strategy and operations, requiring strong problem-solving and influencing skills.
π‘ Interview Preparation
Strategy Questions:
- "Describe a time you had to translate a complex product strategy into actionable operational steps. What was your approach, and what were the results?" (Focus on your process, stakeholder engagement, and measurable outcomes.)
- "How would you approach managing the transition of legacy wellness programs to a new platform for multiple client segments simultaneously? What are the key operational considerations?" (Highlight your planning, risk mitigation, and communication strategies.)
- "Given Cigna's focus on well-being, how would you identify opportunities to improve user engagement and incentive effectiveness within our current product suite?" (Demonstrate analytical thinking, understanding of behavioral economics, and data utilization.)
Company & Culture Questions:
- "What do you know about Cigna Healthcare and our position in the well-being solutions market? How do you see this role contributing to our overall strategy?" (Show research on Cigna's business, products, and market.)
- "Describe your experience working in a matrixed organization. How do you ensure alignment and drive progress when you don't have direct authority?" (Focus on your influencing, communication, and relationship-building skills.)
- "How do you stay current with trends in digital health and employee wellness?" (Show your commitment to continuous learning and industry awareness.)
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- Select 2-3 Strongest Examples: Choose portfolio pieces that best demonstrate your skills in product strategy, operational execution, process improvement, and cross-functional collaboration relevant to this role.
- Structure with Impact: For each example, clearly outline: the business problem/opportunity, your specific role and responsibilities, the actions you took (especially regarding operations and process), the quantifiable results achieved, and key learnings.
- Visual Aids: Use clear, concise slides or documents. Include process maps, data visualizations, or project timelines where appropriate to illustrate your points effectively.
- Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your contributions, decision-making rationale, and how you handled challenges within each project.
- Connect to Cigna's Needs: Frame your experience and results in a way that directly addresses the requirements and goals outlined in the job description.
π Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice focuses on demonstrating strategic thinking, operational acumen, and strong collaboration skills within a healthcare context. Candidates should be prepared to showcase tangible results and a clear understanding of how their work impacts business objectives.
π Application Steps
To apply for this Product Strategy & Operations Advisor position:
- Submit your application through the Cigna Healthcare careers portal via the provided job link.
- Tailor Your Resume: Update your resume to highlight experience in product management, operations, program management, healthcare/wellness sectors, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description like "product roadmap," "operational excellence," "vendor management," and "process optimization."
- Curate Your Portfolio: Prepare a digital portfolio (e.g., PDF document, personal website) showcasing 2-3 key projects that demonstrate your strategic thinking, operational process improvements, and cross-functional leadership. Ensure each project clearly outlines the problem, your role, actions taken, and quantifiable results.
- Research Cigna Healthcare: Familiarize yourself with Cigna's mission, values, recent news, and their specific offerings in the well-being solutions space. Understand their competitive landscape and strategic priorities.
- Practice Your Narrative: Rehearse explaining your portfolio projects and answering common behavioral and situational interview questions, focusing on demonstrating your problem-solving skills, strategic approach, and operational execution capabilities.
β οΈ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.
Application Requirements
Candidates should have a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience and at least 5 years in product management or related fields, preferably in healthcare or wellness. Strong communication skills and the ability to navigate complex organizations are essential.