Business Development Manager

Position Overview

Business development managers are responsible for the growth of the business while managing a team of business developers. The main objective is to bring in new clients and increase sales. Business development managers are required in all fields of work to help with business growth. Business development managers are required to outline tasks for their team, while searching for potential new clients and meeting, networking and reviewing proposals with clientele. Sales and account managers are typical candidates to become business development managers, which can move on to become directors of the company.

Business Development Manager Duties

• Business to business sales
• Business to consumer/customer sales
• Creating presentations and business proposals for clients
• Developing strategic methods to increase profits or recruit clients
• Negotiate deals with clients
• Effectively manage and direct business development team
• Potential marketing and search engine optimisation tasks
• Analysing market trends
• Meeting, networking, and presenting to clients

Typical Employers

As this position is necessary for businesses that sell products and services, this would be a position involved in many fields of work, some examples below:

• Financial industry
• Agriculture companies
• Food and beverage manufacturers
• Consulting firms
• Advertising firms
• Fast moving consumer goods (ex. tobacco and alcohol, food and beverage)
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Software companies
• Technical companies - automotive, IT, construction, electronics, etc.

Required Education and Training

There are no specific degree requirements to get into this field, although it would be beneficial to get a degree in business, business administration, marketing, or similar discipline. Additionally, depending on the clients you would interact with, taking courses to learn other languages can be advantageous. If you know the field and industry you would like to work in, it would be strategic to take related courses in that field to have a competitive advantage over other candidates.

Key Skills and Qualities

• Exceptional communication skills - written and verbal
• Excellent sales skills
• Creative mindset to bring innovative ideas to the table
• Interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with potential and existing clients for repeat business
• Strong problem solving and negotiating abilities
• Leadership skills to lead and inspire a team
• Thorough knowledge of the market industry

Average Salary

• Entry position salaries can start between £20,000 - £30,000
• Experienced business development manager (two to five years' experience) salaries can range from £25,000 - £40,000
• Senior business development manager salaries can go from £65,000 + depending on the company, your experience, and the number of clients you bring in

The overall average salary of a business development manager is approximately £41,606.