The Strategic Writer is responsible for developing high‑quality, external‑facing executive summaries, cover letters, and strategic responses for high‑value, high‑visibility RFPs, as well as additional leadership‑initiated documents. In close partnership with Sales, BDCs, SMEs, Content Managers, Proposal Managers, and Optum Leadership, the Strategic Writer creates compelling, customer‑focused content that differentiates Optum value story, capabilities, scale, and solutions.
In addition to strategic writing, this role also performs copyediting and, when needed, strategic rewriting of proposal responses and related documents to ensure final submissions are responsive, persuasive, consistent, and aligned with Optum proposal development standards and style guidelines.
Duties & Accountabilities
- Develop and write strategic executive summaries and RFP/RFI responses for must‑win and high‑priority new and renewal opportunities.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders and proposal team members to produce strategic, accurate responses as assigned.
- Partner with leadership to prepare letters, position statements, and other documents for internal and external audiences.
- Work closely with Content Managers to create new content or update/refine existing RFP database materials.
- Interview client‑facing teams and SMEs to craft strategic messaging and articulate proposed solutions within RFP responses.
- Conduct research using all available resources, including the proposal content database.
- Tailor database text to:
a) directly and comprehensively answer RFP questions,
b) reflect the proposed service solution, and
c) clearly demonstrate how our solutions address client‑specific challenges.
- Understand and articulate sales strategy, value propositions, and key win themes throughout responses.
- When assigned, conduct end‑to‑end strategic proposal reviews to confirm alignment to sales strategy, value story, and One Voice principles.
- Coach and mentor less experienced writers and project managers.
- Adhere to quality principles (responsive, accurate, concise, strategic), style guides, and messaging standards.
- Follow established proposal processes and defined roles/responsibilities during proposal development.
- Contribute to process enhancements, writing models, and continuous improvement initiatives within the proposal function.
- Develop innovative approaches to improve outcomes and ensure proposals are completed within deadline requirements.
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously with a strong sense of urgency, collaboration, and attention to detail.
Required Qualifications & Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Communications, or a related field.
- 7+ years of proposal writing experience in the healthcare sector (pharmacy, medical, benefits, or behavioral).
- Proven ability to develop client‑focused messaging and articulate strategy across executive summaries, cover letters, RFP responses, and proactive proposals.
- Demonstrated ability to contribute to and engage in strategic discussions.
- Strong ability to manage multiple deliverables and effectively prioritize work.
- Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills.
- Experience working collaboratively to deliver complex, time‑sensitive projects.
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Teams.
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of pharmacy, medical, behavioral health, and other healthcare products and services.
- Experience interviewing stakeholders to develop strategic messaging and new content.
- Experience working with content databases (e.g., RFPIO) and managing common proposal sections.
- Healthcare industry experience.
- 5+ years of pharmacy‑related writing or product experience.
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