Experienced Finance Leadership Program
The Experienced Finance Leadership Program (EFLP) started in 2012 and develops finance corporate athletes as a pipeline of future leaders. The EFLP has rotations in many areas of the business including Health Care Benefits, Pharmacy Services, Retail Pharmacy, Investor Relations, and others. Members complete 3 differentiated rotations. The EFLP’s target candidates or “Experienced Hires” have 5-8 years of professional relevant work experience before entering the program.
Program Highlights
Program Goals
How you will Grow
Business Acumen
Leadership Development
Technical Skills
Career Progression
The EFLP rotations are designed to accelerate the development of candidates with a focus on:
Rotation 1: Developing a deep understanding of the industry and how the finance function drives business results
Rotation 2: Developing the leadership capabilities needed to supervise teams of individual contributors as a manager
Rotation 3: Being able to successfully lead large teams, projects or to be a manager of managers
Your Rotations
You will rotate through three different finance areas that will enhance your technical skills and business acumen to thrive as a corporate finance and health care industry leader after graduation from the ELDP. Examples include but are not limited to:
- Finance Planning and Analysis
- Health Care Benefits Finance
- Pharmacy Services Finance
- Retail Finance
- Accounting
- Internal Audit
- Financial Systems
- Treasury
- Tax
- Medical Economics
Your Committees
Each year, you will participate on a different committee. Your committee role will allow you to grow your leadership capabilities by leading teams and projects that are essential to either the finance organization or the Finance Leadership Programs. Examples include but are not limited to:
- Recruiting
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Well-Being
- Curriculum
- Graduation
- Events
- Onboarding
- Development and Mobility
- Program Management
- Manager Effectiveness
- Communications
Immersive Onboarding
You will undergo an immersive onboarding experience when you first join the Finance Leadership Programs. This will ensure a consistent, smooth, and seamless introduction into the Finance Programs and CVS Health.
Onboarding activities include extensive training on technical skills, soft skills, leadership skills, business knowledge, networking events, an alumni panel and more.
ELDP Curriculum
In addition to on the job learning, you will receive formal trainings through your time in the ELDP. Trainings range from finance related knowledge, including financial statement analysis, as well budgeting and forecasting, to technological related skills such as Tableau, Alteryx, Power BI to soft skills such as public speaking, networking, and more!
You will also be able to participate in the Finance Leadership Program Speaker Series, where leaders from across the company regularly share their knowledge, experience, and area expertise. Leaders come from all segments of the company as well as cross-functional areas.
Professional Development
EFLP participants will benefit from individualized career development planning, continuous coaching and feedback, mentoring, and leadership capability training through Aetna University.
Program participants will be accountable for the timely delivery of milestones related to their specific rotation, as well as leading special projects related to both business and talent initiatives.
Participant benefits include: Progressive Career Track, Cross-Functional Experience, Leadership Development, Executive Coaching, Mentorship Opportunities, Peer Network, Leadership Exposure, and Program Specific Trainings.
Rotation 3
Director, Head of SG&A Reporting and Analytics
- Led monthly and quarterly consolidation and analysis for total company expenses including presentations and reviews with leadership. Total portfolio of over $10 billion of annual SG&A spend.
- Led total company expense management for quarterly and annual forecast and budget cycles as well as formulation and communication of expense targets designed to deliver on business profit goals.
Rotation 2
Finance Manager – Medicare
- Managed staff, led quarterly forecasting process for Medicare Advantage business, including preparing concise, accurate exhibits and analysis to present key issues and assumptions to senior management.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams on annual Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) bid process, quarterly forecasts and plans as well as monthly financial performance analysis for the Medicare business.
Rotation 1
Senior Project Manager – Internal Audit
- Led multiple audits focusing on the effectiveness of Aetna’s integration of Coventry Health Care, Inc.
- Worked with the head of Internal Audit to revise and prepare Internal Audit materials for the Audit Committee of Aetna’s Board of Directors.
Anthony Salerno
VP of Finance, Chief of Staff, Office of the CFO
EFLP Alum ‘17
University of Hartford Alum ‘08
Noreen Shaikh
Senior Director, CVS Retail, Pharmacy Margin
EFLP Alum
University of Hartford, MBA Alum ‘19
Central Connecticut State University, Alum ‘07
Rotation 3
Medicare Financial Planning and Analysis
- Dual Special Needs Plans (DSNP) Finance Lead accountable for end-to-end financial support of the product line
- Manager Effectiveness Committee Lead responsible for developing trainings to help managers become more effective in developing their employees
Rotation 2
Consumer Health and Services Financial Planning and Analysis
- Implemented a comprehensive management process for the segment inclusive of monthly results and planning
- Successfully led and mentored a team of three financial analysts
Rotation 1
Commercial Financial Planning and Analysis
- Small Group Financial Management
- Aetna Funding Advantage Launch Finance Lead responsible for coordination of new product launch through collaboration with all relevant matrix partners
