Workforce Optimization Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL

Step into a pivotal role shaping the future of Evernorth Health Services as an Innovative HR Business Partner supporting our Home Pharmacy and Virtual Care businesses. This is not a traditional HRBP role. We’re seeking a bold, commercially-minded leader who thrives in ambiguity, challenges the status quo, and confidently influences senior leaders through complexity.

You will operate at the intersection of strategy, transformation, and execution—guiding leaders through rapid growth, post-deal integration, and evolving operating models. This is a high-impact opportunity for an HR leader who sees around corners, navigates resistance, and drives meaningful, lasting change in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.

• Act as a trusted challenger and strategic thought partner to senior leaders—bringing a point of view, influencing tough decisions, and holding leaders accountable to outcomes.
• Translate business strategy into bold people strategies that accelerate growth, optimize performance, and enable transformation.
• Lead through complexity—driving HR strategy and execution across mergers, acquisitions, integrations, and organizational redesign.
• Shape leadership capability by coaching executives through high-stakes people decisions with confidence and candor.
• Partner with business leaders to drive workforce optimization through AI enabled tools.
• Architect future-ready organizations through workforce planning, operating model design, and intentional talent strategies— while proactively addressing leadership gaps, misalignment, and cultural friction.
• Leverage data and insight as a competitive advantage—using analytics to challenge assumptions, guide strategy, and measure business impact.
• Partner across the enterprise to deliver scaled, innovative solutions spanning Talent, Total Rewards, Employee Experience, and HR Operations.
• Champion a high-performance culture grounded in accountability, inclusion, agility, and continuous reinvention.

• You are not a traditional HRBP—you bring a consultative, disruptive mindset and are comfortable pushing back, influencing without authority, and leading through tension.
• You have a track record of influencing senior leaders in complex, fast-paced environments, even when perspectives differ.
• You operate with strong business and financial acumen, connecting people strategy directly to growth, performance, and operational outcomes.
• You thrive in ambiguity, scale, and change, managing multiple high-impact priorities without losing momentum.
• You bring deep expertise in organizational design, change leadership, and talent strategy, with the ability to execute as well as strategize.
• You are data-driven and insight-led, using analytics to inform decisions and elevate the conversation.
• You communicate with clarity, confidence, and purpose—able to simplify complexity and influence at all levels.

• 7+ years of progressive HR experience, including strategic HR business partner leadership
• Experience supporting high-growth, transformational, or post-integration organizations
• Demonstrated success influencing senior leaders and navigating complex stakeholder dynamics
• Expertise in organizational development, workforce strategy, and change leadership
• Strong ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving, evolving environment
• Proven ability to leverage data and analytics to drive decisions and outcomes

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, or related field; advanced degree or HR certification preferred
• Experience in large, matrixed, or highly complex organizations
• Familiarity with HR technology platforms (e.g., Workday)
• Flexibility to travel based on business needs, approximately 5%.

If you will be working at home occasionally or permanently, the internet connection must be obtained through a cable broadband or fiber optic internet service provider with speeds of at least 10Mbps download/5Mbps upload. For this position, we anticipate offering an annual salary of 111,300 - 185,500 USD / yearly, depending on relevant factors, including experience and geographic location.

This role is also anticipated to be eligible to participate in an annual bonus plan.

At The Cigna Group, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits, with a focus on supporting your whole health. Starting on day one of your employment, you’ll be offered several health-related benefits including medical, vision, dental, and well-being and behavioral health programs. We also offer 401(k), company paid life insurance, tuition reimbursement, a minimum of 18 days of paid time off per year and paid holidays. For more details on our employee benefits programs,

Doing something meaningful starts with a simple decision, a commitment to changing lives. At The Cigna Group, we’re dedicated to improving the health and vitality of those we serve. Through our divisions Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth Health Services, we are committed to enhancing the lives of our clients, customers and patients. Join us in driving growth and improving lives.

Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, age, disability, sex, childbirth (including pregnancy) or related medical conditions including but not limited to lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital or familial status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by applicable equal employment opportunity laws.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete the online application process, please email seeyourself@thecignagroup.com for assistance. Please note that this email inbox is dedicated to accommodation requests only and cannot provide application updates or accept resumes.

The Cigna Group has a tobacco-free policy and reserves the right not to hire tobacco/nicotine users in states where that is legally permissible. Candidates in such states who use tobacco/nicotine will not be considered for employment unless they enter a qualifying smoking cessation program prior to the start of their employment. These states include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Washington State.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with all federal, state and local ordinances.