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Sales & Contracting
Development Program

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The 2022-2023 recruiting season for this program is happening now! You can also visit our events page to see if we'll be on your campus (virtually and/or in person) this fall. Want to learn about Cigna's COVID-19 vaccine policy? Click here.
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Cigna Sales Academy associates at graduation
As a member of our Sales & Contracting Development Program, you'll learn how to navigate the first steps of your career, while being provided the support, training, and resources needed to transition into a full-time role as a New Business Manager, Client Manager, or Provider Network Contractor. 

Depending on your interests, strengths and your chosen career path, Cigna’s U.S. Commercial business segment offers two different tracks within the program: the Sales Academy track and Network Academy track. Both deliver a strong foundation in one of our two major functions: health benefit sales and contracting with doctors and hospitals. Participants within both tracks will come together as a single cohort for general onboarding elements. They will then branch out for development specific to their dedicated sales or contracting function prior to stepping into role. Candidates will apply and interview according to the track in which they are most interested in beginning their careers. Take a looks at both tracks outlined below for more information!
  
Sales Academy: Program track focused on selling skills and knowledge in our health products and solutions offered to employers, Cigna’s clients. Click here to learn more about the Sales Academy. 

Network Academy: Program track focused on negotiation skills and an understanding of affordability, balancing quality, and cost of care for doctors, physicians, and the patients we serve. Click here to learn more about the Network Academy. 

More about Cigna Sales Academy:

Cigna Sales Academy is a 12-week (July 10- September 2) training program designed for early career hires, focused on developing the knowledge, skills, and attributes required to quickly onboard and contribute to profitable growth at Cigna within the Select and Middle Market U.S. Commercial Sales Teams. Those hired into Select will focus on customer/client groups with under 500 employees, whereas those hired to support the Middle Market buyer group will focus on customer/clients with over 500 employees.

As a Sales Academy Sales Associate, you will attend a blend virtual and in-person classroom, on-demand, and field-based learning activities. 
 - Classroom experiences include multiple interactive and collaborative learning activities coupled with practical sales applications. Courses will be led by facilitators and subject matter experts.
 - Field Experiences will take place in the associated sales office/market in which the Sales Academy employee has been hired into. Formal activities and assessments will take place, led by the local market team and hiring manager.
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Apply now to the Cigna Sales Academy

What you'll do:
Establish, develop, and maintain relationships
​Within your assigned market, you’ll be expected to cultivate relationships with insurance brokers, as well as current and prospective clients. You'll act as a resource by offering solutions to concerns your clients may have. 
Go local

Engage and partner with the communities you serve.
Know your product

​​​​​​​Promote Cigna's product suite and services by having an in-depth understanding of what we have to offer.
Be a team player

Work closely with a variety of internal and external individuals to accomplish your goals – including your Sales Manager and Service Operations, Underwriting, Product, Marketing, Pricing, and Sales Effectiveness teams. Communicate new product and service opportunities, special developments, information, or feedback gathered through field activities to the appropriate stakeholders.
Maintain organization

​​​​​​​Prepare a variety of status reports, including activity, closings, follow-up, and adherence to goals. Follow up on new client leads and referrals resulting from field activities.

Academy curriculum:

While in the classroom, you'll be exposed to several learning methods to prepare you for a full-time sales role, including self-study, presentations and situational role-plays. But to give you a sneak peek, here's a quick rundown of some of the topics we'll cover.

•    Company overview and strategies
•    Our culture and diversity
•    Sales process skills
•    Our products and services
•    Underwriting concepts and processes
•    Value propositions skills
•    Broker dynamics and interpersonal skills 
•    Presentation skills
•    Career development skills


Career path after graduating from the Academy: New Business Manager or Client Manager

New Business Manager


As a New Business Manager (NBM), you'll be tasked with generating new business opportunities. As the first point of contact for a client, you collaborate with them and their broker to develop a comprehensive benefits plan. NBM’s are always meeting new people and finding new ways to meet our clients’ health care needs. 

Client Manager


As a Client Manager (CM), you will oversee the sales process once a client decides to purchase Cigna Insurance Products. You will then work to build a long-term relationship with the client, understand their strategy and needs, and expand their insurance benefits portfolio through additional sales. 


​​​​​​​Take it from them...
Mary K Murphy headshot

Mary K M., New Business Manager
“As a first generation college student, I was excited yet anxious to begin my career at a company as large as Cigna. However, the Cigna Sales Academy program provided me with all of the support and resources necessary to transition confidently into my career in sales. During the summer training program, I was provided with the foundational knowledge necessary to understand Cigna's mission and the real value we can offer to our clients through our programs and services. I spent 6 of the 11 weeks in a classroom setting at the headquarters in Bloomfield, CT, and the other weeks I was able to gain firsthand experience in the market I was hired to, Nashville, TN. Most importantly, I left the training with the friendships I’ve made with my classmates and the connections I’ve made with various members of leadership – all of which genuinely want to see me succeed. These connections are long-lasting and I can always count to lean on them as I continue to navigate my career.”
Serina Fang headshot

Serina F., Senior Client
​​​​​​​Manager
“Cigna Sales Academy provided me with the skills, tools and knowledge in order to succeed in my role as a Client Manager.  I learned how to be a trusted advisor and confident in the presence of brokers and clients through the program’s hands-on curriculum, support, and exposure to various teams and leaders in the company.  Cigna Sales Academy invested tremendously in my growth during the early stages of my career, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity that has helped me become a leader within my industry and community.  I am proud to be a Cigna Sales Academy graduate!”

More about the Cigna Network Academy: 


Cigna Network Academy is a 12-week (July 10 - September 2) training program focused on developing business acumen, negotiation, and relationship building skills required to quickly onboard and contribute to Cigna’s focus on high quality, affordable Healthcare. 

As a Network Academy associate, you will attend a blend of virtual and in-person classroom, on-demand, and field-based learning activities. 
 - Classroom experience includes multiple interactive and collaborative learning activities coupled with practical contracting applications. 
 - Field Experiences will take place by interfacing with the associated office/market in which the Network Academy employee has been hired into. Formal activities will take place lead by the local market contracting team and hiring manager.

Upon completion of the program, Network Academy graduates will begin careers in a Provider Contracting role, supporting their respective markets. You will be working with local providers, otherwise known as physicians, hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities to ensure Cigna is providing the highest quality of healthcare at the lowest cost to our customers. As a new Contractor, you will conduct reviews of various types of contracts and negotiate any change of terms. You will also initiate new contracts as needed in your market.
img1
Apply now to the Cigna Network Academy

What you'll do:
Establish, develop, and maintain relationships
​Within your assigned market, you’ll be expected to cultivate relationships with insurance brokers, as well as current and prospective clients. You'll act as a resource by offering solutions to concerns your clients may have. 
Go local

Engage and partner with the communities you serve.
Know your product

​​​​​​​Promote Cigna's product suite and services by having an in-depth understanding of what we have to offer.
Be a team player

Work closely with a variety of internal and external individuals to accomplish your goals – including your Sales Manager and Service Operations, Underwriting, Product, Marketing, Pricing, and Sales Effectiveness teams. Communicate new product and service opportunities, special developments, information, or feedback gathered through field activities to the appropriate stakeholders.
Maintain organization

​​​​​​​Prepare a variety of status reports, including activity, closings, follow-up, and adherence to goals. Follow up on new client leads and referrals resulting from field activities.