Manager, Medicaid Market Research and Competitive Analysis

About the Role

Aetna’s Manager, Capture Strategy & Analysis plays a critical role in supporting the capture (proposal preparedness) and proposal lifecycle. This high-performing role directs in-depth market, customer, and competitor research to inform capture strategy and proposal development, directly impacting success on multi-billion-dollar procurements. The role turns complex intelligence into clear, actionable insights to power Aetna Better Health’s Medicaid growth strategy and winning proposal responses. It collaborates closely with capture leadership, proposal teams, and consultants to ensure research is timely, strategic, and aligned with Aetna’s pursuit of Medicaid managed care contracts, including recompetes and new business.

The ideal candidate demonstrates accountability, detail orientation, curiosity, self-motivation, relationship-building skills, efficiency, and flexibility to work nights and weekends during proposal development as needed.

Responsibilities

• Market Research and Analysis: Curate market intelligence on customer and competitor programs, weaknesses, innovations, and performance. Develop actionable insights to inform strategic decision-making, drive customer-centric approaches, and contribute to organizational growth.
• Collaboration: Work with the Capture Director and business partners, including consultants, to develop research reports, customer/competitor analyses, capture workshop deliverables, and other tools. Design and execute research studies, review market data, and translate findings into actionable strategies. Coach business partners and consultants on strategic research direction.
• Comprehensive Documentation: Organize and maintain research outputs in SharePoint, ensuring accessibility for proposal writers and stakeholders (potentially over 100 contributors). Structure documentation for usability and quick reference during RFP responses. Synthesize findings into clear reports, presentations, and dashboards for stakeholders at all levels.
• Project Management: Track progress and ensure timely completion of deliverables critical to business growth in existing and new markets.
• Proposal Development: Direct proposal team members by providing insights, recommendations, and relevant intelligence to support content development.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in Medicaid Managed Care.
• 5+ years of specialized experience in market research, competitive intelligence, or strategic analysis.
• Demonstrated experience developing competitor analyses and actionable insights.
• Ability to work independently with limited direction.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.
• Proven project management skills and a track record of meeting milestones in fast-paced environments.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including translating research into strategic recommendations.
• Naturally curious, self-motivated, and problem-solving mindset with a drive to improve processes.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization, both technical and non-technical.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and SharePoint.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% to support capture planning, stakeholder engagement, and proposal activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous P&L and/or business development experience in a Medicaid managed care setting.
• Experience leading capture and proposal activities for significant opportunities ($1B+).
• Experience in a capture function or executive leadership role for a managed care-based product for state Medicaid agencies.
• Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) certification(s).
• State Medicaid agency or federal CMS experience.
• Experience using electronic collaboration tools.
• Experience developing competitive analyses and executive presentation decks.
• Managed care operations experience.

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

Pay

The typical pay range for this role is $60,300.00 - $132,600.00 annually. This position is also eligible for a CVS Health bonus, commission, or short-term incentive program in addition to base pay.

Benefits

This full-time position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Paid time off.
• Retirement savings options.
• Wellness programs and other resources.

Additional details about available benefits are provided during the application process.

Schedule

• Full-time (40 hours per week).
• Willingness to work nights and weekends during proposal development as needed.