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Business Development Executive Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

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A Business Development Executive, or Business Development Leader, oversees a business’s growth and evolution. Their duties include identifying potential sales leads, pitching business products and services and managing customer relationships.

Business Development Executive duties and responsibilities

Business Development Executives are responsible for a variety of duties related to attracting new customers and retaining existing business. Their duties and responsibilities include:

  • Researching businesses, individuals and industry trends to identify potential new clients and markets and ways to serve existing clients better
  • Contacting potential new clients using phone and email to gauge interest and plan meetings
  • Preparing client presentations and materials, including PowerPoint and sales displays
  • Meeting new and existing clients in person
  • Negotiating business terms with new and existing clients using phone, email and in-person meetings
  • Setting sales goals and ensuring sales team meets them
  • Working with senior team members to manage risks
  • Training and mentoring sales team members
  • Preparing and delivering pitches to potential investors
  • Attending networking opportunities including conferences and industry events

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Business Development Executive Job Description Examples:

Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines
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What does a Business Development Executive do?

Business Development Executives help businesses attract new customers and maintain existing customer bases. These efforts help businesses increase their sales and profits. Business Development Executives research industry trends and use their insights to identify business opportunities in new and existing markets. They monitor customer feedback closely to ensure the business delivers the best products and services. They also attend business events to learn more about their industry and network with other professionals and potential clients.

Business Development Executive skills and qualifications

Business Development Executives rely on a range of skills in their roles. A successful Business Development Executive candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications that typically include:

  • Example setting, using their leadership role to set expectations for company employees
  • Employee motivation, applying Theory X and Theory Y managerial types as needed to strategize employee morale
  • Sales statistics, calculating metrics such as return on investment (ROI), pipeline value and qualified leads per month
  • Market research, using surveys, case studies and reporting to define relevant sales goals

Business Development Executive experience requirements

A Business Development Executive is a senior position and requires several years of experience. Many Business Development Executives gain experience working as marketers or salespeople before taking a senior role. Working within the same industry in a mid-level role is helpful for gaining skills for aspiring Business Development Executives.

Business Development Executive education and training requirements

Business Development Executives usually need at least a Bachelor’s Degree. Employers usually do not require specific qualifications, but Bachelor’s or Degrees in Business Administration, Business Studies, Marketing and similar fields are beneficial. Many aspiring Business Development Executives continue studying through organisations such as the Chartered Institute of Marketing while working in marketing or sales roles. Level 2 qualifications in business principles, marketing and sales management can help aspiring Business Development Executives advance. Level 3, 4 and 5 diplomas in sales and marketing can also help these professionals.

Business Development Executive salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Business Development Executive is £25,612 per year. Salary may be dependent on experience, location and company.

Job description samples for similar positions

If a Business Development Executive doesn’t match your specific role needs, similar positions include: 

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Business Development Executive job description FAQs

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