Senior Manager, Sales Effectiveness and Account Implementation

Job Description
The Senior Manager, Account Implementation and Sales Effectiveness leads the operational strategy, and performance of the account implementation function, the RFP unit, and contributes to the overall strategy in sales effectiveness. This role oversees teams accountable for both standard and custom group implementations, working in conjunction with the appropriate business areas to ensure new and renewing groups are implemented accurately, efficiently, and in alignment with sales commitments, client expectations, regulatory requirements, and enterprise operating standards. The leader also oversees a proposal support unit that partners with sales and business stakeholders to support new and renewal sales opportunities through timely, accurate, and operationally sound proposal deliverables. In addition, this role will help to drive strategies in sales effectiveness to support the long-term evolution of account implementation process within the organization and will contribute to the overall strategy for sales effectiveness.
At Blue Cross NC, we’re making health care better for all – by listening deeply, challenging what’s possible, and putting care at the heart of everything we do. Join a purpose driven team where ideas spark change, growth is encouraged, collaboration fuels impact, and you’re supported with the flexibility and trust to do meaningful work.
What You'll Do
Account Implementation Leadership
Lead the account implementation function responsible for standard and custom group implementations, ensuring operational readiness, timely execution, and a consistent experience for clients, brokers, and internal stakeholders.
Standard and Custom Implementation Oversight
Establish operating procedures, prioritization frameworks, quality controls, and escalation processes that support accurate account setup, implementation milestones, benefit configuration coordination, and cross-functional execution.
Proposal Support Leadership
Oversee the proposal support team that partners with Sales, Account Management, Underwriting, Product, Operations, and other stakeholders to deliver accurate, timely, and compelling proposal responses for new and renewal business opportunities.
Sales Effectiveness Strategy
Partner with sales leadership to develop and execute initiatives that improve sales productivity, enhance operational support, optimize sales processes, and drive greater efficiency across the customer acquisition and retention lifecycle.
Sales Process Optimization
Evaluate and improve sales and implementation workflows to streamline operations, reduce friction points, improve handoffs, and create a more effective end-to-end experience for customers and internal partners.
Data, Analytics, and Insights
Leverage operational and sales performance data to identify trends, measure effectiveness, evaluate process performance, and provide actionable insights that support strategic decision-making and continuous improvement.
Cross-Functional Business Operations
Serve as a key operational leader connecting Sales, Client Management, Implementation, Product, Operations, IT, Legal, Compliance, and other enterprise partners to align expectations, resolve barriers, and ensure successful execution of implementation and proposal commitments.
Performance Management and Reporting
Define, monitor, and communicate key performance indicators, service-level metrics, quality measures, workload trends, implementation cycle times, proposal performance metrics, and sales effectiveness outcomes to identify risks and drive continuous improvement.
Process Optimization and Standardization
Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, improve proposal intake and response processes, reduce rework, strengthen documentation, enhance scalability, and support evolving business needs.
Risk Management and Compliance
Ensure implementation and proposal processes comply with regulatory requirements, contractual obligations, internal policies, and operational risk controls. Proactively manage escalations and lead issue resolution efforts.
Resource and Capacity Planning
Manage staffing strategies, workload distribution, budget inputs, technology requirements, and resource planning to support implementation demand, proposal volume, renewal activity, and changing business priorities.
People Leadership
Lead, coach, and develop team members and leaders by establishing clear goals, fostering accountability, supporting change adoption, and promoting a collaborative, customer-focused culture of operational excellence.
Strategic Planning and Execution
Develop and execute the long-term strategy for account implementation, proposal support, and sales effectiveness capabilities. Partner with sales leadership and key business stakeholders to understand evolving needs, identify improvement opportunities, and drive initiatives that support future-state operational capabilities and business growth.
Key Responsibilities
Lead account implementation operations for all new and renewing group business, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and service excellence.
Oversee proposal support operations, including intake, prioritization, development, quality review, and delivery of proposal responses.
Develop and execute operational strategies that improve implementation outcomes, proposal effectiveness, and overall sales support capabilities.
Partner with sales leadership to identify and implement initiatives that enhance sales productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness.
Establish and manage performance metrics, reporting frameworks, and governance processes to measure operational and business outcomes.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on process optimization, automation, scalability, and customer experience.
Lead cross-functional initiatives that support business growth, operational readiness, and strategic organizational objectives.
Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, contractual obligations, and enterprise policies.
Manage operational risk, issue resolution, and escalation processes across implementation and proposal functions.
Develop resource plans, staffing models, and budget recommendations to support changing business demands.
Mentor, coach, and develop leaders and team members while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Serve as a strategic advisor and operational partner to sales leadership and key enterprise stakeholders.
What You Bring
Bachelor's degree required
Eight (8) or more years of experience in business operations, sales operations, account implementation, client implementation, proposal management, project management, program management, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience leading teams, managing complex operational processes, and driving cross-functional initiatives.
Experience supporting sales enablement, sales effectiveness, implementation operations, proposal man