What does a Business Development Manager do?
Business Development Managers goal is to to expand a company’s current markets by researching markets, identifying new business opportunities and creating strategies. They are part of a company’s sales force and will often lead a business development team working with Sales Managers, who oversees the sales of products or services to customers and sales teams.
Business Development Manager skills and qualifications
As this role involves working with people at almost every level, whether it’s managing a team, networking with industry partners, reporting to senior management or building relationships with clients, Business Development Managers have to enjoy working with people and should have excellent interpersonal skills. A successful Business Development Manager candidiate requires specific prerequisite skills and qualifications including:
- The ability to sell ideas, products and services
- Excellent time management skills and the ability to multitask
- A strategic and creative mind
- Strong leadership qualities to lead a team
- Excellent customer service skills
- Technical skills to understand and propose products or solutions by focusing on the client’s requirements
- Solid IT skills and knowledge of necessary software applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other statistical analysis software.
- The ability to motivate themselves and others
- A solid understanding of business and marketing principles
Business Development Manager experience requirements
To succeed in their job, Business Development Managers need extensive sales experience and a strong sales record. Employers usually require candidates to have proven ability to hit sales targets, bring in new business and build and sustain good business relationships. Experience within a relevant business sector will be advantageous and some employers may also require some management experience.
Business Development Manager education and training requirements
Although there’s no national requirement to become a Business Development Manager, many employers prefer candidates with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, accounting, finance, business management, business administration or another related field. Whilst it’s not required, earning a Master’s Degree in Business can help increase the Business Development Manager’s value.
Many employers also require candidates to obtain relevant qualifications, such as the Level 2 Diploma in Skills for Business: Sales and Marketing, Level 3 Award in Business Development Skills and Level 3 Certificate in Sales Management. Candidates working toward a qualification may need experience through an apprenticeship, while graduates may complete a graduate training program to kickstart their careers in business development management.
Business Development Manager salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Business Development Manager is £37,352 per year. Senior Business Development Managers make around £53,799 annually. Salaries will vary, however, depending on the company, location and the specific business sector or industry that the company operates in.
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