Business Development Manager

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business development manager career path

What Is a Business Development Manager? How to Become One, Salary, Skills.

Business development managers (BDMs) supervise business development representatives and generate company revenue through maintaining customer relationships. Here’s what to know about a business development manager’s needed skills, salary and how to become one.

What Is a Business Development Manager?

Business development managers solidify client leads and assist in strategic growth planning. While business development representatives may generate and transfer leads to account executives or similar professionals, business development managers often foster existing customer relationships and seek out upsell opportunities.

What Do Business Development Managers Do?

Business development managers nurture customer relationships, explore growth opportunities and manage lead generation processes.

Business Development Manager Responsibilities

  • Research and plan new growth opportunities, strategies and initiatives.
  • Contact potential customers, maintain current customers and increase customer value.
  • Establish business development goals and ensure quotas are met.
  • Oversee business development representatives and early sales cycle operations.

Business Development Managers Within a Company

Business development managers are part of a sales team within a company and may report to a director of business development.

Importance of Business Development Managers

Business development managers ensure that customer relationships are producing value for both parties, as well as help determine sales revenue and growth goals. They act as a significant resource for companies looking to maximize long-term profits.

What Skills Are Needed to Be a Business Development Manager?

Qualifications to be a business development manager.

  • Two or more years of experience in business development, sales or a similar field.
  • Ability to build, maintain and produce value from customer relationships.
  • Ability to guide growth planning, strategies and initiatives.

Business Development Manager Prerequisites

  • Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing or related field.

Business Development Manager Hard Skills

  • Expertise with customer relationship management (CRM) software.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets and related analysis tools.
  • Experience with sales performance analysis tools.
  • Understanding of sales automation tools.
  • Knowledge of presentation and data visualization tools.

Business Development Manager Soft Skills

  • Customer service skills.
  • Problem-solving skills.
  • Management and leadership skills.
  • Verbal and written communication skills.

Tools and Programs Business Development Managers Use

  • ActiveCampaign
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Salesforce 

How to Become a Business Development Manager

Business development manager education and experience.

Business development managers tend to hold a bachelor’s degree in business, marketing or a related field.

Business development managers will need to obtain two or more years of experience in business development, sales or similar roles. Knowledge in the areas of strategy development, lead generation, customer relationship management, sales performance analysis and effective communication are recommended.

Business Development Manager Certificates and Courses

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  • Business Development & B2B Sales for Startups - Sales Valley
  • Introduction to CRM with HubSpot
  • The Art of Sales: Mastering the Selling Process Specialization

Business Development Manager Career Path

After gaining experience as a business development representative or related role, professionals may move into the business development manager role. From this point, professionals can progress into roles like director of business development or vice president of business development.

Business Development Manager Salary and Job Outlook

Business development managers are expected to see a job growth rate of 8 percent  by 2028, according to Zippia.

The full compensation package for a business development manager depends on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s experience and geographic location. See below for detailed information on the average business development manager salary.

Careers Related to Business Development Manager

Related sales jobs, companies hiring business development managers, related sales careers.

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What is a Business Development Manager and How to Become One

By Oluwadamilola Osisanya

Published: February 16, 2024

In the ever-evolving world of business, the role of a Business Development Manager (BDM) is crucial for driving growth and fostering strategic partnerships. If you’re passionate about shaping business trajectories and forging impactful connections, but unsure what a Business Development Manager does, read on. This article offers actionable insights to demystify the path to success in this dynamic field. 

Career Summary

Business development manager salary.

Business Development Manager Salary

The business development manager salary varies widely depending on experience, industry, and geographic location.

Here are the average business development manager salary figures from Glassdoor .

  • Entry-Level : US$ 98,000
  • Median : US$ 129,000
  • Senior : US$ 174,000

When compared to the national average, which is $59,428 according to Forbes , all business development managers receive a high salary .

What is a Business Development Manager?

A business development manager is a pivotal role within an organization, tasked with the primary objective of driving business growth . Business development managers are strategic thinkers who understand the intricacies of their company’s market and industry, using this knowledge to position their company for expansion and success.

What does a Business Development Manager do?

A business development manager plays a crucial role in the growth and expansion of a company. They are tasked with identifying new business opportunities, whether that means new markets, new partnerships with other businesses, new ways to reach existing markets, or new product or service offerings to meet the needs of existing markets better. 

But what does a business development manager do on a day-to-day basis? They strategize to improve the company’s financial growth, negotiate and close business deals, and foster and develop relationships with customers, suppliers, and other partners.

Business Development Manager Career Progression

  • Junior Business Development Representative : In this role, your focus will be on prospecting new clients and markets, supporting senior business development staff, and learning the basics of sales and marketing strategies.
  • Business Development Representative : Builds on the foundation of the junior role, and you will take on more responsibility for initiating and nurturing client relationships, qualifying leads, and contributing to sales strategies.
  • Business Development Manager – In this key role, you will be responsible for identifying and securing new business opportunities, developing strategic partnerships, and managing relationships with key clients. Involves collaboration with other departments to align business growth efforts with company goals.
  • Senior Business Development Manager : With increased experience, you will take on larger, more complex deals, lead business development teams, and contribute to strategic planning at higher levels. 
  • Business Development Director : You will be involved in overseeing the business development department and setting goals, strategies, and policies. You will also be responsible for major accounts management, strategic partnership development, and contributing to the company’s overall strategy and growth.
  • Vice President of Business Development : This is an executive role involving high-level strategic planning and decision-making. You will lead company-wide business development initiatives and explore new markets, 
  • Chief Business Development Officer (CBDO) : At the top of the career ladder, the CBDO is responsible for the overall business development strategy of an organization. 

Business Development Manager Career Progression

Best Aspects of Working as a Business Development Manager

  • High potential for career growth and progression within the company.
  • Significant role in shaping the strategic direction of the business.
  • Chance to work closely with senior management and influence decision-making.
  • Competitive salary with performance-based bonuses and incentives.
  • Flexibility in work schedule and potential for travel.

Worst Aspects of Working as a Business Development Manager

  • High levels of stress due to constant pressure to meet growth targets and deadlines.
  • Frequent rejection when pitching to potential clients or partners.
  • Intense competition, both within the industry and sometimes within the same organization.
  • Difficulty in balancing the need for immediate results with the development of long-term strategies.
  • Requirement to constantly adapt to changing market conditions and business strategies.

Essential Business Development Manager Skills

  • Strategic Thinking
  • Communication Skills
  • Analytical Abilities
  • Sales Expertise
  • Project Management

Popular Business Development Manager Specialties

  • Technology and Software
  • Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
  • Financial Services
  • Energy and Resources
  • Consumer Goods and Retail

How to Become a Business Development Manager

Business Development Manager 5 Steps to Career

Achieving success as a business development manager hinges on a blend of formal education and hands-on experience, laying a foundation for strategic thinking and real-world problem-solving.

Education plays a pivotal role in shaping the foundational skills and knowledge necessary for a successful career as a business development manager.

Do I need a Degree to Become a Business Development Manager?

Yes, a degree is generally required to become a business development manager . Most employers look for candidates with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, finance, or a related field as a minimum educational qualification. 

This foundational education equips individuals with the necessary knowledge of business principles, market analysis, and strategic planning, which are crucial for identifying and leveraging business opportunities. 

While it’s possible to progress in this career through extensive work experience and skills development, a degree significantly enhances your prospects and may be a prerequisite for many positions.

Why is it Important to get a Degree in Business Administration?

Obtaining a degree in business administration is crucial due to the comprehensive understanding it provides of the business world. 

This degree equips individuals with essential skills in strategic planning , market analysis, financial management, and operational efficiencies—core competencies necessary for identifying and capitalizing on new business opportunities. 

It also lays a solid foundation in business principles and practices, enhances problem-solving and decision-making capabilities, and prepares individuals to navigate the complexities of business growth and development strategies effectively. 

Moreover, the degree offers valuable networking opportunities, access to industry insights, and the credibility often required by employers in this competitive field, significantly enhancing one’s career prospects in business development.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Degree in Business Administration?

Earning a Bachelor’s Degree in business administration, which is crucial for aspiring business development managers, generally involves a four-year study period for those enrolled full-time. 

This degree encompasses a comprehensive curriculum focused on key business areas like marketing, finance, management, and economics. It lays the foundational knowledge needed for a successful career in business development.

For individuals targeting higher-level positions or seeking to deepen their expertise, pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a common next step. An MBA usually requires an additional two years of full-time study after obtaining a bachelor’s degree. 

Nonetheless, the duration can vary based on the program structure, such as accelerated or part-time options, which might adjust the completion timeline.

How Much Does It Cost to Study Business Administration at University?

Understanding the cost of studying business administration is crucial for aspiring business development managers, as it forms the foundation of their career path. Pursuing a degree in business administration is a significant investment, with expenses varying based on the choice of institution and the student’s residency status.

For those considering an undergraduate program, average tuition and fees can be expected to be around $9,243 annually for individuals who qualify as state residents at public universities. However, students from outside the state can anticipate costs of approximately $25,950 per year at the same institutions. 

For individuals aiming to enhance further their qualifications through graduate studies, the financial considerations slightly shift. State residents attending public universities can expect to spend about $10,867 on average for tuition and fees, whereas out-of-state students may face charges of around $19,485. 

These figures underscore the financial commitment required to pursue advanced education in business administration, laying the groundwork for a career as a business development manager.

Can I Become a Business Development Manager through Online Education?

Yes, you can become a business development manager through online education . Online programs offer flexibility and accessibility, making it possible for individuals to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills while balancing other commitments. 

Many reputable institutions provide online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in business administration, marketing, finance, or related fields, which are essential for a career in business development. 

These programs typically cover core business principles, strategic planning, market analysis, and other relevant topics that prepare students for the challenges of business development roles. Additionally, online education can also facilitate networking opportunities through virtual events and forums, allowing students to build connections that are valuable for career advancement. 

To enhance your prospects further, consider complementing your online degree with relevant work experience, internships, and professional certifications, which can be pursued alongside or after completing your online studies.

What are Some Web Resources to Learn Skills to Become a Business Development Manager?

To learn the necessary business development manager skills, you can explore a variety of web resources that offer educational content, industry insights, and professional development opportunities.

Here are some valuable resources:

  • National Business Development Association (NBDA) : Focuses on sharing best practices and identifying and developing professional skills crucial for business development.
  • BIZDEV: The International Association for Business Development and Strategic Partnerships : Provides education, networking, and professional development opportunities geared towards business growth and strategic partnerships.
  • Business Professionals of America (BPA) : While more broadly focused, BPA offers skill development and networking opportunities that can benefit those interested in business development.

Practical Experience

Practical experience is the cornerstone of success in becoming a business development manager, providing the real-world insights and skills essential for navigating complex market dynamics and fostering strategic partnerships.

What are Internship Opportunities for a Business Development Manager?

Here are some common internship opportunities for individuals aspiring to become business development managers:

  • Sales and Marketing Internship : Many companies offer internships in sales and marketing departments where interns can learn about customer acquisition strategies, market research, lead generation, and sales techniques.  These internships provide valuable experience in client interaction and relationship building, which are essential skills for business development roles.
  • Business Strategy Internship : Internships focused on business strategy often involve analyzing market trends and competitive landscape and conducting industry research. Interns may assist in developing business plans, identifying growth opportunities, and evaluating potential partnerships or acquisitions.
  • Market Research Internship : Market research internships involve gathering and analyzing data on customer preferences, market trends, and competitor activities. Interns may conduct surveys, interviews, and data analysis to provide insights that inform business development strategies.
  • Partnership Development Internship : Internships in partnership development involve identifying and establishing relationships with potential partners, such as suppliers, distributors, or complementary businesses. 
  • Product Management Internship : Product management internships focus on understanding customer needs, developing product strategies, and overseeing the product development process. Interns may assist in market research, product planning, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to bring products to market.
  • Startup Internship : Interning at a startup can provide hands-on experience in various aspects of business development, including sales, marketing, strategy, and operations. Startups often offer interns the opportunity to work closely with founders and gain exposure to the fast-paced, dynamic environment of early-stage companies.
  • Consulting Internship : Consulting firms often offer internships where individuals work on projects for client companies across different industries. Business development interns in consulting may be involved in market analysis, competitive benchmarking, and developing growth strategies for clients.
  • Corporate Development Internship : Corporate development internships focus on supporting corporate growth initiatives, such as mergers and acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and investments. Interns may assist in conducting due diligence, financial analysis, and strategic planning for corporate development activities.

What Skills will I Learn as a Business Development Manager?

As a business development manager, you will develop a diverse set of skills that are essential for identifying opportunities, building relationships, and driving growth for a company.

Here are some key business development manager skills you can expect to learn:

  • Strategic Planning : You’ll learn to develop and execute strategic plans to expand the company’s customer base, enter new markets, and achieve revenue targets.
  • Market Analysis : Understanding market trends, customer needs, and competitor activities is crucial. You’ll learn how to conduct market research and analysis to identify opportunities and make informed decisions.
  • Sales and Negotiation : Business development managers often lead sales efforts and negotiate deals with clients, partners, and suppliers. You’ll develop skills in sales techniques, pitching, and contract negotiation.
  • Relationship Building : Building and maintaining relationships with clients, partners, and stakeholders is essential for success. You’ll learn how to cultivate strong relationships based on trust, communication, and mutual benefit.
  • Networking : Networking skills are crucial for expanding your professional network and identifying business opportunities. You’ll learn how to leverage networking events, industry conferences, and online platforms to connect with potential partners and clients.
  • Communication : Effective communication is key in business development, whether it’s presenting proposals to clients, negotiating deals, or collaborating with internal teams. You’ll develop skills in verbal and written communication, including persuasion and presentation skills.
  • Analytical Skills : Analyzing data and metrics to evaluate the performance of business development initiatives and make data-driven decisions is essential. You’ll learn how to interpret financial reports, sales data, and market research findings.
  • Project Management : Business development managers often oversee complex projects involving multiple stakeholders. You’ll learn how to plan, organize, and execute projects efficiently to achieve desired outcomes.
  • Problem-solving : Business development involves overcoming challenges and finding innovative solutions to achieve business objectives. You’ll develop strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think creatively.
  • Adaptability : Business environments are dynamic and constantly evolving. You’ll learn to adapt to changes in the market, industry trends, and company priorities to stay competitive and seize new opportunities.

What is the Work-Life Balance of a Business Development Manager?

The work-life balance of a business development manager can vary significantly depending on the industry, company culture , and individual workload. Business development managers often face high-pressure situations, tight deadlines, and the need to meet ambitious sales targets, which can lead to long hours and occasional periods of intense work. 

Additionally, extensive travel may be required to meet with clients, attend conferences, and explore new market opportunities. However, many business development managers also enjoy flexibility in their schedules, autonomy in managing their workload, and the opportunity to work remotely. 

Achieving a healthy work-life balance in this role often requires effective time management, setting boundaries, and prioritizing tasks to ensure both professional success and personal well-being.

What’s the Career Outlook for a Business Development Manager?

The career outlook for business development managers in the USA is promising. Zippia reported that employment of business development managers is projected to grow 10% from 2018 to 2028 , which is faster than the average for all occupations. This translates to about 33,700 job openings over the decade​. 

Business Development Manager Popular Career Specialties

What are the Job Opportunities of a Business Development Manager?

A business development manager (BDM) typically plays a crucial role in identifying new business opportunities, building strategic partnerships, and expanding a company’s client base.

Here are some common job opportunities for individuals with experience and skills in business development:

  • Sales Manager/Director : BDMs often transition into sales management roles where they oversee a team of sales representatives, set sales targets, develop sales strategies, and manage client relationships.
  • Marketing Manager/Director : With their understanding of market trends and customer needs, BDMs may move into marketing management positions where they lead marketing campaigns, conduct market research, and develop marketing strategies to promote products or services.
  • Product Manager : BDMs with a strong understanding of market demands and customer feedback may transition into product management roles where they are responsible for overseeing the development and launch of new products or services.
  • Strategic Partnership Manager : BDMs skilled at building relationships and negotiating deals may pursue roles focused on forming strategic partnerships with other companies or organizations to drive mutual business growth.
  • Business Consultant/Advisor : Experienced BDMs may choose to work as independent consultants or advisors, offering their expertise to businesses seeking guidance on market expansion, sales strategies, or partnership opportunities.
  • Entrepreneur/Startup Founder : BDMs with an entrepreneurial spirit may choose to start their businesses or join startups, leveraging their skills in business development to establish and grow new ventures.
  • Corporate Development Manager : In larger corporations, BDMs may transition into corporate development roles where they focus on mergers, acquisitions, and strategic alliances to drive corporate growth and expansion.
  • International Business Development Manager : BDMs with experience in global markets may pursue opportunities focused on expanding business operations internationally, including market entry strategies, localization efforts, and global partnership development.
  • Customer Success Manager : Some BDMs may transition into customer success roles where they are responsible for ensuring customer satisfaction, retention, and loyalty by providing ongoing support and identifying opportunities for upselling or cross-selling.

What Type of Companies Hire a Business Development Manager?

Business development managers (BDMs) are sought after by a wide range of companies across various industries.

Here are some types of companies that commonly hire BDMs:

  • Technology Companies : Software companies, IT services firms, and startups in the tech industry often hire BDMs to identify new business opportunities, form strategic partnerships, and drive sales growth.
  • Consulting Firms : Management consulting firms and advisory companies frequently employ BDMs to expand their client base, develop new service offerings, and secure contracts with businesses seeking consulting services.
  • Manufacturing Companies : Manufacturing firms hire BDMs to identify new markets for their products, establish distribution channels, and negotiate contracts with distributors or retailers.
  • Financial Services Firms : Banks, insurance companies, investment firms, and other financial services providers often employ BDMs to acquire new clients, promote financial products, and expand their market share.
  • Healthcare Organizations : Hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, and healthcare startups may hire BDMs to explore new business opportunities, forge partnerships with healthcare providers, and drive sales of healthcare products or services.
  • Real Estate Companies : Real estate developers, property management firms, and real estate agencies often hire BDMs to identify potential real estate projects, negotiate deals with property owners or investors, and drive business growth.
  • Hospitality and Tourism Industry : Hotels, resorts, travel agencies, and tour operators may employ BDMs to attract new customers, develop strategic partnerships with travel agents or corporate clients, and expand their market presence.
  • Retail Companies : Retailers, e-commerce businesses, and consumer goods companies hire BDMs to identify new distribution channels, negotiate contracts with wholesalers or retailers, and develop strategies to increase sales.
  • Telecommunications Companies : Telecommunications providers and technology firms in the telecom sector often hire BDMs to identify opportunities for new products or services, forge partnerships with other companies, and expand their customer base.

Should I Become a Business Development Manager?

Deciding to pursue a career as a business development manager is a significant step that requires careful consideration of the factors discussed throughout this article. 

As we’ve explored, the role of a business development manager is complex and multifaceted, involving a blend of strategic analysis, relationship building, and innovative thinking to drive business growth. It’s a position that demands not only a deep understanding of the business landscape but also a unique set of skills and personal attributes.

Before making the decision, it’s crucial to reflect on your interests and skills. Do you thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments? Are you passionate about identifying and pursuing new business opportunities? Do you have strong analytical abilities combined with excellent communication and interpersonal skills? If your answers lean towards a yes, then a career in business development could be a fulfilling path for you.

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Oluwadamilola Osisanya

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What Is a Typical Business Development Career Path? (+Job Titles, Interview Questions and Career Tips)

April 16, 2019

by Izabelle Hundrev

business development manager career path

What do you want to be when you grow up?

That age-old question that you’ve been asked since grade school somehow gets more daunting as you grow older. The reality is: a lot of us don’t know what we want to be. And that’s OK. Part of growing up is learning more about your interests and trying new things to find out which career will be right for you. When you were asked what you wanted to be as a kid, it’s doubtful that your first choice was business development . Most of us are more keen on things like being a space explorer or a princess.

Unfortunately, those job titles aren’t exactly viable. However, if you’re motivated, sharp and interested in working with people, a career in business development might be a fit for you.

Business development career path

A typical career path in business development starts with an entry-level position as a BDR and climbs up the ladder to a manager role, with the possibility of eventually earning a spot in leadership.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about working in business development. This includes a typical career path, essentials skills and tips for success.

What is a typical business development career path?

A career in business development is challenging but can also be incredibly rewarding. At most companies, joining the business development team is a great choice for recent college graduates looking to get their foot in the door. Most organizations won’t hire entry-level candidates without past sales experience right into a closing role, so starting off in business development is a great way to get on the path to sales. That being said, sales isn’t the only long-term career path for business development professionals (more on that later).

Business development representative

In short, a business development representative (BDR) is an entry-level position that involves prospecting and qualifying early-stage leads as they enter the funnel. On a day-to-day basis, BDRs are cold calling and emailing prospective buyers in the hope of booking sales appointments. Joining a company as a BDR is a great way to learn about the business quickly and gain valuable experience interacting with prospective clients. This role often carries a quota, so it’s important to take that into consideration before applying. If you’re comfortable working in a fast-paced environment that is based on metrics, BDR could be a good fit.

As a BDR, you’ll also gain valuable skills to propel you to the next phase of your career, as long as you’re ready. Moving into a closing sales role as an Account Executive or Account Manager is a common next step for most BDRs. However, this isn’t the only path. BDRs often work cross-functionally and gain skills that transfer to positions outside of sales. Common paths include marketing, customer success or even customer service.

If you find yourself thriving in business development, there is also the possibility of moving forward as a team lead or a manager down the line. We’ll touch on this next.

Business development manager

A business development manager is responsible for leading a team of BDRs and owning the beginning of the sales process that involves marketing and sales-qualified leads. This position takes on additional responsibilities of managing individual contributors and overseeing all aspects of sales pipeline.

The right person for this position will have had experience as a BDR in the past to ensure that they’re familiar with the key responsibilities their team will be held accountable for. In some cases, companies will require that a BDR manager has had experience as an Account Executive because this means they have a well-rounded understanding of all aspects of the sales process. Performance metrics for this role are centered around the success of each individual team member and the team’s overall ability to meet their monthly, quarterly and annual sales targets.

If a BDR manager is meeting expectations and able to lead a successful team, there are many opportunities for growth at higher levels of leadership.

Business development leadership

Across different companies and industries, there are countless opportunities for strong candidates to be hired on to serve a leadership role within a business development team. The job titles themselves may vary, but common examples include a VP of Business Development or Director of Business Development. These roles are usually filled by people who have been in the BDR manager role before or have strong experience managing a team in a quota carrying position.

As you climb up the ladder, there’s a major shift in responsibility. A person at this point in their career will likely no longer be managing individual contributors and be less caught up in the day-to-day operations of their team. Instead, the focus is on strategic decision-making and tracking company goals at a much higher level.

Mastering your business development skills

Whether you’re already in the field or looking to get into business development, it’s no secret that you’ll need a pretty strong set of sales skills to succeed. If you’re worried that you’re not the most talented salesperson, don’t worry just yet. Many of the most successful “biz dev” professionals knew almost nothing about the industry prior to starting. Instead, they committed to learning something new each day and pushing themselves to improve.

The skills you master early on in your business development career are going to shape the rest of your path. Sales skills such as cold calling and objection handling are easily transferable to everything you need to do when you reach the Account Executive level. If you’re not interested in doing sales long-term, that’s OK, too. Luckily, the skills you acquire in business development apply to other areas. For example, time management and active listening are key to job functions such as marketing and customer service.

Staying motivated throughout your career journey

It’s not always easy to stay motivated at your job. This is especially true for quota-carrying positions that tend to be higher pressure. While pursuing a career in business development may seem daunting because of this, it’s important to form positive habits early on that help you maintain your sales productivity and avoid burnout.

It’s easy to get caught up in the monotony of your daily work life and lose sight of your desired career path – we have all been there. Find ways to remind yourself of your short- and long-term career goals every day. When you pause to look at the bigger picture, it’s easy to see how the not-so-exciting daily tasks are helping propel you forward in your career.

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Follow your own path

Just because there is a laid out career path for business development, it doesn’t mean you don’t have the power to make that journey your own. If you take time to hone in on your skills and interests, there’s no doubt you’ll make the right choice when deciding if business development is for you. One thing is for sure – the opportunities for growth in this field are endless.

Climbing the corporate ladder is no simple feat. Learn how to ask for a raise so you're prepared to have that conversation when the time comes.

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Izabelle is a Partner Marketing Specialist at InStride and a former content specialist at G2. Outside of work, she is passionate about all things pop culture, food, and travel. (she/her/hers)

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Career in Business Development: The Ultimate Guide

Lucia Piseddu

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Career in business development: the ultimate guide to help you understand if business development is right for you.

When I was younger I never dreamt of becoming a business developer. I thought of becoming a doctor, an astronomer, a hairdresser, a journalist, and eventually, an ambassador.

But business development, I didn’t even know it existed.

To be really honest with you, I didn’t really know what business development was all about until I realized I was actually doing it.

My career in business development started quite…unconsciously, I would say.

It wasn’t until 2017 that everything became clear. Looking at my past jobs the puzzle became clear. As I would connect the dots of all the things I did it appeared clearly:

I was a business developer.

It was almost a mystical moment and I started reading up, trying to know as much as possible about it.

How to build a career in business development, and how to become better at it.

To my surprise, there wasn’t much information about it, so I started reaching out to people in the field and asking what they were up to.

I got so passionate that I decided to dedicate my career to this field and created The BD School to share knowledge and help other BDs like you become better at this job .

If you are thinking of starting a career in business development or taking it to the next level, this complete guide on how to build a career in business development is all you need.

You will learn:

Why choose a career in business development?

What does a business development manager do, what’s the typical business development career path, how profitable is a career in business development, is business development good for you, what do you need to start a career in business development.

  • How to land a business development job?
  • How to prepare for interviews?

Thirteen years ago I moved my first steps into a career in business development and it has been an amazing journey so far.

In particular, I love that business development really allowed me to learn a lot about myself , my capabilities, and how I could use my skills to deliver value.

The beauty of business development is that it really obliges you to think out of the box and find creative solutions to business problems. Besides, it helps you uncover a lot of skills you didn’t even know to have.

In my opinion, there are 3 main reasons why you should choose a career in business development:

1 – A career in business development uncovers your skills

One of the things I’m most amazed about is that working in business development feels almost like a movie. Every day is completely different from the other and you just have to embrace the challenge.

I learned that I love change and discovered that I have very strong adaptability skills .

Then I learned I was gifted with empathy and that helped me to understand my clients and eventually reach my business goals.

A few years later, I learned that I was particularly good at spotting opportunities and problem-solving. The list of skills I uncovered thanks to business development is really incredible.

I believe each one of us has some hidden talent, but unfortunately, we don’t always get the chance to experience them. We get stuck in our routines, we don’t get enough challenges and we end up getting comfortable with what we have.

In business development, it is just not possible to get comfortable and this will push you to your limits. You will discover many new qualities and improve the ones you already have.

Business development is first and foremost a personal development journey.

2 – You never get bored if you work in business development

If you tend to get bored easily at work, then business development might just be the career path for you.

Business development involves so many different activities and stakeholders that you simply won’t have the time to get bored.

You’ll get the chance to work on many projects involving other departments, and you’ll get the chance to learn new skills beyond your field of expertise.

For example, during my last job, I was part of both the sales and growth teams. I was busy contacting prospects, but also organizing webinars, working on email marketing, and more.

This allowed me to learn new skills that contributed to my professional growth extremely fast.

Business development makes you more valuable in the job market.

Read also: What does a business developer do on a daily basis?

3 – You are the frontman of your company

If you choose a career in business development, you prepare yourself to become the frontman of your company. You are the first contact for clients and partners and whatever you say can make or break a deal.

Under this perspective, working in business development brings a lot of responsibility . You’re usually performing one of the most profitable activities in the company.

This means that if you work well you’re directly responsible for the growth of your organization.

If you work long enough in a company, you earn the right to steer a company’s direction based on your findings on the field.

By experimenting and always being in contact with your audience , you’re in the perfect position to suggest new ideas to your company.

Last, if you work in a startup, you can grow your career extremely fast. Business development at startups is very strategic, so your actions will have a big impact on the growth of the company. This will make you a key employee in no time!

Business development allows you to realize your career goals quickly.

Business development takes many different shapes depending on the strategy of your company. So business developers do different things depending on the company they’re currently working for.

In terms of responsibilities, you will have to think of ways to generate new business opportunities and execute them.

Usually, as business developers, we come up with new ideas, test them, and then if they work, we scale them with other departments.

In practical terms, these are the most common business development activities :

  • Research (market, competitors, customers)
  • Opportunity spotting
  • Experimentation
  • Lead generation
  • Cold outreach (email, phone, social media)
  • Partnership management
  • Project management
  • Stakeholder management
  • Negotiation
  • Closing deals

When I started thinking seriously of a career in business development, one of my first questions was how far you can actually go with it. I know that you can become a business developer but what’s next?

You know, when you are a doctor your career path is pretty much stable and clear. But business development is a different story.

Because it’s such a broad field and there is some confusion around it, job offers are also pretty messy. This means that sometimes the same job can be very different from one company to another.

However just looking at the career path, you can expect pretty much this progression:

1 – Business developer or business development representative

Abbreviated in BD or BDR, it is the most entry-level position and that’s where most of us will probably start. Of course, depending on the company this role can vary a lot. However, generally speaking, this function is mainly related to either the acquisition of potential clients or opening up new channels.

2 – Business development manager

Contrary to what you might think, being a BDM (Business Development Manager) doesn’t necessarily mean you will manage a team. But, what you’ll definitely manage is the entire business development process. As BDM you’re still very much involved in the execution of your plan even if you have a team working with you.

3 – Head of business development

That’s the first real senior role and that’s when you start executing less and manage more. You are involved in strategic decisions, building and managing a team and you directly work with the company leadership.

4 – Director of Business Development

This role is more high-level and requires a more strategic and long-term approach to the business. You are responsible for the activities and outcomes of your team. But contrary to the other roles, you’re less involved in the actual execution and mostly deal with mid-management staff.

5 – Vice President of business development

When you reach this point, you’ll enjoy sitting with the senior leadership and discussing how you’ll drive growth opportunities in the long term. You’re fully on the strategic development of your company and think ahead in the future. At this level, you’ll manage less and think more about what the company should do next.

the business development school - career progression in business development

The most interesting thing in developing a career in business development is that each stage is a sort of microcosmos of the next level.

What I mean is that the ultimate goal in any stage of the company is to find growth opportunities.

The real difference between these stages is the number of things you experience in your career.

As a VP you have a lot more examples to use in your decision process, while as a business developer you only have limited experience.

Is that a problem? Not necessarily.

In fact, as an entry-level professional, you have another superpower which is your hunger for knowledge and if you use it correctly, you will be able to be successful even without much experience.

Now that you know what to expect in terms of career path, make sure you also check the salary expectations for each one of these positions.

This will help you make sure that a career in business development is aligned with your long-term financial goals.

Besides the benefits of your personal and career growth, business development is also a great career to achieve your financial goals. In fact, in countries like The Netherlands or the United Kingdom, business development professionals earn up to 42,000 € per year even in entry-level positions.

business development manager career path

This is mainly because of two main reasons: First, because it’s a function that directly contributes to the revenue growth of the company.

Second, because it’s a complex function which means companies are willing to pay more to keep you and avoid the costs of hiring new employees.

Of course, not all business development jobs are equal and many factors can contribute to your actual salary. For example, your location, level of experience, and company size can definitely have an impact on your salary.

So before deciding your next career step, make sure you research the average salary in your area.

You can easily find this information using the LinkedIn Salary feature or websites like Payscale and Glassdoor. On these platforms, you will be able to filter by location and years of experience so you will be able if your expectations are aligned with the market.

Read also: Business development salary report

At this point, you should have a clear idea of what a career in business development looks like. Now the million-dollar questions:

How do you find out if business development is good for you?

Of course, we don’t have the answer for you, but we can give you some practical tips to understand if this is the right career path for you.

A good way to know if business development is good for you is to ask yourself these questions:

  • Are you curious and use creativity to solve problems?
  • Do you like learning new things?
  • Are you able to cope with change?
  • Do you enjoy talking to people?
  • Are you resistant to rejection?
  • Are you able to motivate yourself?

If you answer YES to all these questions, then business development might be good for you.

Be aware that business development can be very challenging and sometimes you will do tasks that you don’t necessarily like and many of them are quite repetitive.

So if you don’t have patience, it might be a problem for you to keep your motivation high.

Starting with business development is easier than you might think. Pretty much everyone with a genuine passion for this field can get started. But, you must be ready to take your personal development seriously.

Why is that? Because according to a survey we run with 1000+ business developers from all over the world, there isn’t much knowledge available inside their companies.

We discovered that as much as 73% of professional BDs don’t really know what their job means and 71% never received formal training from their companies.

business development manager career path

Besides, looking for information online is a very painful and frustrating process because most of the knowledge you find is superficial and inaccurate. I went through the same process and it took me many years before actually mastering business development.

That’s exactly why I created The BD School, so you can have an easier life navigating business development and become great at it.

So, if you’re serious about starting a career in business development the first thing you need to do is to gain knowledge about it. Which doesn’t mean only following a course at the university, but really seeking all the possible ways to learn.

These tools will help you learn business development:

1 – Check free content

Before you commit to spending money on learning business development, take advantage of free content online. You will find many resources on our blog , or simply ask Google and YouTube to find some inspiration.

This process will help you understand what you need to learn, so you can focus your effort rather than wasting time on the wrong things.

2 – Read business development books

They are your best allies. Books take longer to read because they’re more complete than any article you can find online. While they seem to take forever, they actually help you internalize the knowledge, so you won’t forget important topics and you’ll remember for longer.

We collected a list of the top 10 books for business development , be our guest!

3 – Connect with experienced business development pros

Asking professionals in your industry about their experience will open your eyes. There are plenty of ways to do so, for example, you can look for interesting people on LinkedIn.

All you have to do is ask for their advice and you’ll find plenty of nice people willing to help you.

4 – Get a business development mentor

As soon as you have clear ideas about your business development career, it’s time to get yourself a mentor. Mentors have experienced professionals that will help you set a clear path for your professional success.

5 – Take a business development course

Once you have clear career goals, it’s a good idea to take a course . Formal training will help you become more confident and know exactly what you have to do to be a successful business development professional.

You can find many cheap courses on Udemy or similar platforms but beware: cheap doesn’t always mean good. So before investing your money, make sure you find a trusted trainer that will take care of you.

If you're interested in taking a formal business development course, check out our Certification Program .

business development manager career path

What are the requirements to start a career in business development?

After gaining knowledge about business development it’s important that you focus on building the requirements to work in this field. The cool thing about business development is that it’s very diverse and it fits many different personalities.

However, this also means that each company has slightly different requirements. Of course, we took care of it so you don’t have to waste too much time on it. We analyzed 100+ job descriptions and based on that created this short list of requirements.

These are the common requirement for business developers in Europe and the USA:

  • Education: generally they require a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a business-related field plus an industry-related field (e.g. healthcare). If you don’t have a degree, don’t despair. Many companies are more interested in your personality, rather than your degrees.
  • Experience: depending on the seniority you can have a specific requirement which varies from 3 to 5 years of experience, up to 10 for senior positions. If you are just starting, you can apply for entry-level positions so you won’t be rejected based on your experience.
  • Skills: most companies require communication, creativity, relationship building, active listening, organizational skills, and time management. Moreover, you need to be quite sociable and ready to adapt to anything that will come your way.

In business development what really makes the difference is your attitude. So if you don’t have a degree or experience yet, focus on building your skills. Skills combined with a positive attitude will make you stand out anyways!

Read also: 8 business development skills you should master

How to land business development jobs?

If you are convinced about starting a career in business development, your next step is to actively look for job opportunities. The good news is that at the moment there are approximately 70,764 business development job offers at this very moment on LinkedIn alone.

You can fairly assume that you will be able to find your next job.

But when looking for business development jobs, you need to pay attention to the type of opportunity you come across. Business development is a broad field and every company has different needs. This has a direct impact on the type of activities you will execute.

Generally speaking, there are 5 main types of business development roles:

  • Strategic business development: in this role, you will be responsible to research and analyze data in order to spot new opportunities.
  • Sales-oriented business development: in this role, you will be responsible to find potential customers for your company.
  • Partnership-oriented business development: in this role, you will be responsible to find partners for your organization.
  • Product-oriented business development: in this role, you will be responsible to co-create products in collaboration with other teams
  • International business development: in this role, you will be responsible to launch your organization in new unexplored markets

Innovative companies use a holistic approach to business development , which means that as a BD you are actually responsible for all these areas mentioned above. However, realistically, most companies only focus their BD efforts on one or the other.

To make sure you find the opportunity that matches your expectations, read the job description in detail. In addition, get in touch with other business developers working in the company and ask them for more information about their daily job.

This will help you have more realistic expectations and maximize the chance of finding your dream job .

Another important thing to keep in mind when looking for business development jobs is the type of company you want to work for.

For example, if you work for a startup your role will have more responsibilities as well as more things to do.

Once you are clear on the type of companies you want to work for, you can start looking for jobs. You can look on famous platforms like LinkedIn or Indeed, but you should also look at innovative companies that offer job openings.

Especially if you want to work for startups , you’ll find many job portals which are highly specialized. In The Netherlands for example you can use Techleap. While in Italy you can use platforms like Xjobs if you want to work in startups.

Last, check for industry-specific job boards to make sure you get extremely relevant job opportunities. In this way, you will not waste your time with companies that don’t match your requirements.

Before applying for jobs, create your CV and a motivation letter. Keep in mind that many companies nowadays use tools called Applicant Tracking Systems.

This software helps companies to filter out good candidates from the bad ones. So my tip is, to make sure you optimize your CV using the same keywords you find in the job offer. If you’re curious, check this article to better understand how ATS works .

How to prepare for business development interviews?

After you apply for a business development job, you can focus on preparing your business development interview. This will be your moment to shine and show your recruiter the value you can bring to the company.

In order to run a successful interview, it’s important to gather as much information as possible about the company. You want to check their website, social media pages, and any possible media coverage about them.

Besides the information about the company, make sure you connect on LinkedIn with their employees in the same position. The recruiter will show the bright side of the company, but you want to have real insights from people doing your same job.

You can send them a simple message like this:

“Hi Name, I see your work at COMPANY NAME. I’m considering applying for the BD job, do you have time for a quick call? I’d like to have your insights to better understand the company. Thanks, YOUR NAME”

Last, check the reviews about the company on Google or any other review website like Trustpilot or Glassdoor.

If you don’t know where to start, follow this checklist:

  • Read company mission
  • Check the company history
  • Read company products/services
  • Watch interviews with relevant people (e.g. Founder, CEO)
  • Connect with current employees
  • Check customer reviews
  • Check Glassdoor reviews

Don’t miss any of these steps, there isn’t anything more frustrating than a candidate who didn’t prepare at their best. So don’t be lazy and do your homework.

After doing your research, prepare for some common interview questions that you might get. We won’t go into detail right now, but we created a specific document with the 21 most common questions and a description with examples.

Make sure to download your copy and then rehearse the questions with a friend, colleague, or one of your mentors if you already have one.

Will you become a business developer?

Now you know all you need on how to build a career in business development. You will need patience and dedication if you want to build a long-term career. Sometimes you’ll hate it, but mostly you will love it!

The most important is that you’re not alone in your professional BD journey, and you can count on us to support you in every step of it! We spent the last 5 years researching and understanding the field of business development

The result is a complete 5-week live training designed to help you excel in business development and create a successful career. Join us at this link and start growing your career today!

business development manager career path

Want to stay informed?

Explore our related blog posts.

What is a Business Development Manager?

Learn about the role of Business Development Manager, what they do on a daily basis, and what it's like to be one.

  • What is a Business Development Manager
  • How to Become
  • Certifications
  • Tools & Software
  • LinkedIn Guide
  • Interview Questions
  • Work-Life Balance
  • Professional Goals
  • Resume Examples
  • Cover Letter Examples

Start Your Business Development Manager Career with Teal

Definition of a Business Development Manager

What does a business development manager do, key responsibilities of a business development manager.

  • Researching and identifying new business opportunities, including new markets, growth areas, trends, customers, partnerships, products, and services
  • Generating leads and cold calling prospective customers to establish rapport and set up meetings
  • Planning and overseeing new marketing initiatives to boost the company's market presence
  • Developing growth strategies and plans with clear objectives to increase revenue and business expansion
  • Understanding the needs of existing customers and how the company's products or services align with their goals
  • Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, potential clients, and industry contacts
  • Negotiating with stakeholders and drafting business proposals and contracts to close deals and secure new business
  • Collaborating with internal departments such as marketing, sales, and product development to ensure company goals are met
  • Attending conferences, meetings, and industry events to network and promote the company
  • Working closely with the sales team to convert prospects into customers and to identify upsell and cross-sell opportunities
  • Training personnel and helping team members develop their skills to enhance business development efforts
  • Utilizing CRM software to track progress with new prospects, manage business leads, and analyze data to inform business strategies

Day to Day Activities for Business Development Manager at Different Levels

Daily responsibilities for entry level business development managers.

  • Researching potential clients and market opportunities
  • Assisting with the preparation of proposals and presentations
  • Participating in client meetings and calls alongside senior staff
  • Supporting lead generation and outreach efforts
  • Helping with the maintenance of CRM systems and sales records
  • Engaging in training programs to develop industry-specific knowledge

Daily Responsibilities for Mid Level Business Development Managers

  • Independently identifying and pursuing new business opportunities
  • Developing and maintaining relationships with key clients
  • Creating and implementing business development strategies
  • Collaborating with marketing to align efforts with market trends
  • Managing negotiations and closing deals
  • Tracking and analyzing sales data to inform future strategies

Daily Responsibilities for Senior Business Development Managers

  • Formulating long-term strategic business plans
  • Leading and mentoring business development teams
  • Managing and expanding relationships with strategic partners and key clients
  • Directing the course of new business initiatives
  • Collaborating with executive leadership on business growth and market positioning
  • Overseeing the development of large-scale proposals and contract negotiations

Types of Business Development Managers

Strategic partnership manager, market expansion manager, sales development manager, corporate development manager, channel development manager, product development manager, what's it like to be a business development manager , business development manager work environment, business development manager working conditions, how hard is it to be a business development manager, is a business development manager a good career path, faqs about business development managers, how do business development managers collaborate with other teams within a company, what are some common challenges faced by business development managers, what does the typical career progression look like for business development managers.

How To Become a Business Development Manager in 2024

business development manager career path

Related Career Paths

Fostering client relationships, driving sales growth and ensuring customer satisfaction

Driving revenue growth, steering team performance, excelling in competitive markets

Driving sales growth in diverse regions, leading teams to exceed revenue goals

Driving revenue growth, forging key relationships, and leading high-performing sales teams

Driving business growth and revenue through strategic sales leadership and client relationships

Driving sales growth in designated regions, mastering market trends and client relations

Job Description Keywords for Resumes

The Plain English Guide to Becoming a Business Development Manager

Meredith Hart

Published: March 13, 2023

Do you have excellent communication skills? Are you a quick learner who enjoys gaining new business knowledge? If so, a career as a business development manager (BDM) could be a fantastic fit for you.

Business Development Manager explaining to a candidate how to become a BDM

Business development management allows you to flex your relationship-building and problem-solving skills. In this post, we'll discuss the role and the responsibilities that come with it, and give you the steps you need to take to become one.

Download Now: Sales Training & Onboarding Template [Free Tool]

What is a business development manager?

A business development manager generates leads, develops new opportunities, and helps the company grow through strategic planning.

Business development managers are essential to sales orgs — as they're responsible for generating and protecting new revenue. They nurture relationships with key clients, develop new relationships, and expand the brand's presence.

So how do they do it?

What does a business development manager do?

A business development manager builds business relationships with prospective customers. And their ultimate goal is to grow the company by qualifying sales leads and expanding the business' reach into new markets.

what does a business development manager do

Here are the core responsibilities of business development managers, plus the skills they need to succeed.

Business Development Manager Responsibilities

  • Research prospective customers in the BDM's target market.
  • Use prospecting and qualifying strategies to reach out to new leads.
  • Maintain relationships with current customers.
  • Reach out to existing customers and clients for new leads.
  • Understand the company's product offerings, competitors in the industry, and position in the market.
  • Work closely with the sales team to ensure the BDM creates a high-quality prospect-to-customer pipeline.

roles of a business development manager

Business Development Manager Skills

What does it take to succeed as a business development manager? These are the recommended skills a BDM should have to excel in their role.

  • Self-motivation : A BDM should be driven, disciplined, and able to work and hit their targets with limited supervision.
  • Organizational skills : Business development managers should be able to manage their time and prioritize important tasks.
  • Communication skills : BDMs should handle themselves professionally with prospects, customers, and colleagues. And they should have the ability to develop relationships.
  • Technical skills : Experience entering data and using a CRM database helps BDMs track and manage their prospects. Specialized knowledge of their company's software ,tools, and target customers is especially valuable.

Business Development Manager Salary

According to Indeed , business development managers make an average of $73,969 annually. However, this can vary depending on the individual's experience and where they choose to work.

  • Entry-Level Business Development Manager : $57,710
  • Experienced Business Development Manager : $85,203
  • Senior Business Development Manager : $109,596

Additionally, the average salary can vary depending on industry as well. When you search on Glassdoor for average wages, you can filter by industry.

  • Technology : $60,980
  • Consumer Services : $55,554
  • Education : $53,798
  • Nonprofit : $52,041
  • Manufacturing : $66,755

Suppose the company's compensation plan includes a commission or offers employees a percentage of monthly sales. In that case, the base salary might be lower than the expected average for a business development manager.

How to Become a Business Development Manager

  • Get business credentials.
  • Gain relevant experience.
  • Develop your technical skills.
  • Create a compelling resume.
  • Start your job hunt.

1. Get business credentials.

While a business development manager role generally has no formal requirements, many employers seek candidates with bachelor's degrees in sales,marketing, business administration, or entrepreneurship.

Depending on your seniority level, you might even earn a master's degree — especially if you plan to join the upper management of a company's business development team.

2. Gain relevant experience.

This experience can come from a previous job or internship experience. If you're looking for an entry-level business development manager role, previous work in this specific role might be recommended but optional.

Prior experience in sales, marketing, technology, or customer-facing roles are often acceptable — as those positions tend to require communication, negotiating, and rapport-building skills.

Experience as an entrepreneur can also be desirable because it gives you perspective on the ins and outs of running a business. This will help you relate to prospects as you identify their business challenges and look for solutions.

3. Develop your technical skills.

If you're interested in becoming a business development manager, technical know-how is a must. In-depth knowledge of software your company and prospects use (like CRM databases, communication and collaboration software, or marketing automation platforms) will be helpful. This is especially true if you plan to work for a SaaS company.

4. Create a compelling resume.

When you're ready to apply, create a resume highlighting the essential skills you've learned. If you need some resume inspiration, here are a few examples of business development manager resume templates you can use to write your own.

  • Business Development Manager Resume Templates
  • Experienced Business Development Manager Resume Example
  • Business Development Manager Resume Samples

5. Start your job hunt.

You can find business development manager jobs by using social media like LinkedIn, or searching online job boards. You can also attend sales networking events in your area or digitally to further your chances of finding a company or startup looking to hire you.

Begin Your Career as a Business Development Manager

Put your strategic skills and business knowledge to work as a business development manager. Not only will you learn and grow, but you'll also help your company grow better.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in March 2019 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

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Business Development Manager Career Guide

  • Career guide intro
  • How to become
  • Career path

Similar job titles

  • Trends and outlook
  • Career tips
  • Where the jobs are

What is a business development manager?

A business development manager works to generate new business opportunities for a company. They focus on increasing revenue, identifying new market opportunities, building and maintaining relationships with partners, clients, and industry stakeholders, and aligning the business development strategy with the organization’s overall strategic objectives.

These professionals play a vital role in driving growth and profitability. They identify expansion opportunities, propose and develop new strategic partnerships, and align their sales and new client acquisition strategy with the company’s goals.

Duties and responsibilities

Business development managers identify and create new business opportunities. They research potential leads, establish relationships with prospective clients or partners, and negotiate contracts.

BDMs also aim to improve the company’s market position, including developing strategies for entering new geographies or verticals and increasing share in existing ones. This work often involves competitive analysis, market research, and customer relationship management.

Additionally, these managers often contribute to product strategies by identifying new opportunities and giving feedback on the product’s market fit. They also frequently work with other departments, such as sales, marketing, and product development.

Work environment

The work environment for business development managers can vary significantly depending on the industry and specific role. They often work in office settings but frequently travel to meet with clients, attend industry events, or visit different parts of the business operation.

BDMs usually work as part of a team, but must be comfortable working independently, particularly when traveling or working with clients and partners.

Typical work hours

Business development managers typically work full-time during standard business hours. Travel, networking events, and deal negotiations can extend beyond the typical workday. It’s not uncommon for them to work evenings, weekends, or holidays. The role requires flexibility and willingness to work extra hours as needed.

How to become a business development manager

To become a business development manager, you will need a combination of education, training, and experience. In this career guide section, we cover the steps you’ll need to take to achieve your goal:

Step 1: Obtain a bachelor’s degree

The first step is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Typical degrees include business administration, marketing, finance, or a related field. This education provides a solid foundation in business concepts, marketing strategies, financial analysis, and management techniques.

Step 2: Develop relevant skills

To achieve success in this role, you should develop a variety of skills, including:

  • Strong communication and interpersonal abilities
  • Relationship-building and networking
  • Strategic thinking and planning
  • Financial analysis and forecasting
  • Time management and organizational skills
  • Negotiation and persuasion
  • Adaptability and resilience
  • Proficiency in CRM software and Microsoft Office Suite

Step 3: Gain experience

Professional experience is often necessary to secure a job as a manager. Start by looking for entry-level positions or internships in sales, marketing, or account management to build experience and demonstrate skills. As you progress, seek opportunities to manage client accounts, develop business strategies, and work with cross-functional teams to gain a well-rounded skill set.

Step 4: T ake additional courses specific to business development

The business world is constantly changing and evolving. Consider taking additional classes to review information and strategies throughout your career. 

Here are some excellent online course options for continuing education:

  • Business Mind – Mastering Business Development is a course from Udemy that covers business development’s product, sales, and marketing perspectives. Topics include growth strategies, service development, and multiple ways to utilize sales and marketing in business development. 
  • If you’re ready to take your skills to the next level, consider Coursera’s Professional Selling course . You will learn the “why” and the “how” of successful sales, as well as the essential skills and techniques that will help you become a successful, high-performing sales person.
  • Focus on relationship building with the Business Development: Grow With Strategic Relationships course . The class teaches strategies for structuring business development deals, negotiating deals, and growing and building relationships. Strong relationships with other businesses can carry long-term benefits and help with growth.

Step 5: Consider industry certifications (optional)

Although not required, obtaining relevant certifications can help to stand out among other candidates and validate skills. Some popular certifications for BDMs include the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) certifications, the Certified Sales Professional (CSP) designation from the National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP), and various CRM software certifications (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot).

Step 6: Network and seek opportunities for advancement

To increase the likelihood of career advancement, attend industry events, join professional associations, and engage in online communities. Networking can lead to job opportunities and help to stay updated on industry trends. Additionally, as you gain experience, seek higher-level business development roles or pursue a sales, marketing, or strategic planning management position.

How much do business development managers make?

The salary of a business development manager can depend on several variables. Educational background, especially a degree in business, marketing, or a related field, can influence earnings. Professional experience, particularly in management, can also significantly impact their income.

Industry can also affect salary. Those in highly competitive industries, such as technology or finance, often earn more due to the complexity and high profitability of these industries.

Geographical location can also be a factor, with higher wages often seen in areas with a high cost of living and a high concentration of businesses, such as in major metropolitan areas.

Additionally, BDMs often earn bonuses or commissions based on performance, which can significantly contribute to total compensation. Please note the figures below represent base salary only.

Highest paying industries

  • Software Publishers: $132,500
  • Securities Brokerages: $130,200
  • Computer Systems: $127,450
  • Management of Companies and Enterprises: $124,000
  • Pharmaceutical: $122,100

Highest paying states

  • California: $135,000
  • New York: $130,300
  • Massachusetts: 122,500
  • Virginia: $121,600
  • New Jersey: $121,400

The average national salary for a Business Development Manager is:

Browse business development manager salary data by market

Types of business development managers

While the primary role is consistent, responsibilities may vary based on the industry, company size, and business model. This career guide section will explore the different types of business development managers.

Strategic partnerships manager

Strategic partnerships build alliances with relevant organizations to achieve business goals. This work might involve collaborating with complementary businesses, non-profit organizations, or government bodies. Strategic managers seek potential partners, negotiate agreements, and manage ongoing relationships.

Channel development manager

Channel development includes managing indirect sales channels with distributors, resellers, affiliates, or franchisees. The role involves identifying potential channel partners, setting up agreements, and supporting partners in selling the company’s products or services.

New business development manager

New business development managers conduct market research, develop entry strategies, and initiate marketing and sales activities to attract new customers. Their entire focus is on identifying and pursuing new markets or customer segments. 

Product development manager

Some companies, especially those in technology or manufacturing industries, focus on product development. These managers work closely with the product management and R&D teams to identify market opportunities for new products, steer product development toward market needs, and launch new products.

International business development manager

International business development managers specialize in expanding a company’s operations to foreign markets. This work requires a deep understanding of international trade regulations, cultural nuances, and market conditions in different countries.

Mergers and acquisitions manager

Some businesses focus on growth through company acquisitions or strategic mergers. The BDM’’s role includes identifying potential acquisition targets, negotiating deals, and managing post-acquisition integration.

Government relations manager

Government relations managers work to establish and maintain a strong relationship between the company and government agencies. They lobby for favorable legislation, secure government contracts, and represent the company’s interests in legislative matters.

Top skills for business development managers

Excelling as a business development manager requires a sound understanding of sales and marketing principles. This section outlines the primary skills and traits needed for career success.

Their primary role involves identifying business opportunities, setting goals, and developing strategies to achieve these goals. Turning a strategic plan into actionable steps and overseeing its execution is critical to ensuring business growth and meeting organizational objectives.

BDMs need exceptional sales and negotiation skills to pitch products or services, negotiate deals, and close sales. Strong abilities in these areas can significantly increase a company’s customer base and revenue.

Robust leadership capabilities are crucial for managing teams and inspiring, motivating, and guiding them toward business goals. Effective leadership fosters a positive work environment, promotes collaboration, and drives the team to excellence.

These professionals must build strong relationships with clients, partners, stakeholders, and internal teams. Proficiency in relationship management can lead to repeat business, productive partnerships, and a more harmonious work environment.

A firm grasp of market research is vital to understand trends, know what competitors are doing, and understand the needs and behaviors of customers. This knowledge can inform strategic decisions and help the company stay competitive.

BDMs also leverage business intelligence tools that provide valuable insights into sales trends, customer behavior, and market dynamics. The ability to interpret and apply these insights can greatly enhance decision-making and contribute to developing more effective growth strategies.

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Business development manager career path

The career path for a business development manager usually begins with an entry-level role in sales, marketing, or a related field. This early stage provides fundamental knowledge about market trends, customer needs, and sales strategies, which are crucial for business development.

After gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency, individuals may move to roles like account executive or business development representative. These positions involve managing client relationships, identifying new business opportunities, and potentially meeting sales targets.

With proven success in generating business and building strong customer relationships, they can advance to the BDM position. This role includes creating and executing strategies to increase company revenue, forging strategic partnerships, and leading business development teams.

It is possible to progress from the manager role to senior or executive positions, such as a senior BDM, director of business development, or VP of business development. These roles involve broader strategic responsibilities, overseeing larger teams and contributing significantly to the company’s growth strategies.

At the highest level, individuals could aspire to become a chief business development officer or CEO, responsible for setting the strategic direction of the entire organization and driving its growth.

  • Sales Representative
  • Account Executive
  • Account Manager
  • Sales Manager
  • Marketing Manager
  • Sales Director
  • Sales Engineer

Business development manager position trends and outlook

One of the most significant trends is understanding and leveraging digital technologies, such as data analytics, customer relationship management (CRM) platforms, and social media channels. These tools can help identify new business opportunities, enhance customer engagement, and improve decision-making processes.

As businesses operate in an increasingly global environment, BDMs must understand international markets and cultural nuances. They often must develop strategies to penetrate these markets and foster cross-border partnerships.

Another noteworthy trend is the growing emphasis on sustainability in business. Managers are now often tasked with identifying and pursuing opportunities that align with environmental and social sustainability goals.

Employment projections for business development managers

While specific projections are not available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, business development managers are included under the “Sales Managers” category. The employment for this group is projected to grow by 5% through 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. The continued importance of sales in generating revenue and the necessity of solid leadership in navigating the shifting business landscape suggest that the demand for BDMs will remain strong. Those with an excellent understanding of digital tools, international business, and sustainable practices will likely have the best job prospects.

Business development manager career tips

Understand your market and customers.

Managers need to understand their market and customers, including market trends, customer or client needs, and the competitive landscape. This insight can help identify growth opportunities, develop effective strategies, and build strong relationships.

Develop strong negotiation skills

Negotiation is a vital part of business development. Whether you’re finalizing a partnership deal, pitching a proposal to a client, or negotiating terms with suppliers, strong negotiation skills can help secure favorable outcomes that benefit the company.

Foster relationships and partnerships

Building and maintaining relationships is at the heart of business development. This work includes networking, establishing partnerships, and maintaining ongoing communication with clients, partners, and other stakeholders. Strong relationships can open doors to new opportunities, enhance the company’s reputation, and drive business growth.

Embrace innovation

In today’s fast-paced business environment, staying ahead of the curve often requires innovative thinking. Find new ways to meet customer needs, explore untapped markets, or leverage emerging technologies. A creative mindset can uncover unique opportunities and give the company a competitive edge.

Continuous learning

Staying updated and enhancing your skills are essential in the dynamic field of business development. Consider:

  • Enrolling in business or leadership training courses
  • Attending industry conferences and webinars
  • Reading books and articles on business strategy, sales, and leadership

Build a professional network

Networking can provide valuable opportunities for learning, collaboration, and career advancement. Here are some professional associations and networks for business development professionals:

  • Association for Strategic Planning (ASP)
  • Strategic Account Management Association (SAMA)
  • Business Networking International (BNI)

Master strategic planning

BDMs are often involved in strategic planning. They set goals, identify opportunities, and develop plans to achieve growth. Mastering strategic planning can help drive a company’s success and significantly impact its direction or development.

Enhance presentation skills

Presenting ideas, strategies, or proposals is a standard part of their role. Enhancing presentation skills can help communicate ideas effectively, influence others, and make a positive impression.

Where the business development manager jobs are

Top companies.

  • Massachusetts

Top job sites

  • SimplyHired

What qualifications are typically required for a business development manager role?

A business development manager generally needs a bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related field. Some companies may prefer candidates with a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) or a related field. In addition, several years of experience in sales, marketing, or related fields are typically required, with a proven track record of generating new business or growing existing accounts.

What skills are important for a business development manager?

Critical skills include strong communication and negotiation skills, building and maintaining relationships, and a good understanding of marketing and sales principles. Strategic thinking and planning skills are crucial for identifying growth opportunities. They should also have good problem-solving skills, a high level of initiative, and the ability to work well under pressure.

What are the typical duties of a business development manager?

Typical duties for managers include identifying and pursuing opportunities for business growth. This work might involve developing relationships with potential new customers, identifying opportunities to sell additional products or services to existing customers, or developing new product markets or channels. They often work closely with sales, marketing, and product teams and may also be involved in strategic planning and forecasting.

What is the role of a business development manager in a company’s growth strategy?

BDMs play a pivotal role in a company’s growth strategy. They are often responsible for identifying and pursuing opportunities for new business, whether finding new customers, entering new markets, or developing new products or services. They also contribute to the company’s strategic planning, helping to set growth targets and develop plans to achieve them.

How does a business development manager work with other teams in the company?

The role often includes working closely with other company teams. BDMs might collaborate with sales to develop strategies for winning new customers, work with marketing on campaigns to promote the company’s products or services, or partner with product teams to create new offerings based on customer needs or market trends.

What’s the difference between a business development manager and a sales manager?

While there can be some overlap between the roles, the focus of a BDM is typically more strategic and longer-term. They identify new business opportunities, develop relationships, and set up deals that the sales team can close. On the other hand, a sales manager is typically more focused on achieving short-term sales targets, managing the sales team, and handling the operational aspects of selling.

What challenges might a business development manager face?

Business development managers can face various challenges, including constantly identifying and pursuing new business opportunities in a competitive market. They may also face challenges when building and maintaining relationships, negotiating deals, and achieving targets. Work often occurs with teams across the company, requiring strong collaboration and communication skills.

What role does a business development manager play in customer relationships?

Customer relationships are vital for success. BDMs often develop relationships with potential customers and work to understand their needs to match them with products or services. They also maintain relationships with existing customers, identifying opportunities to sell additional products or services and ensuring that the customer remains satisfied with the company.

What is the typical career path for a business development manager?

The typical career path might start with roles in sales or marketing to develop a strong understanding of the market and customer needs. After gaining experience as a BDM, it is possible to move into senior business development roles or related areas such as sales or marketing management. Some may eventually move into general management or executive positions.

What opportunities for advancement are there for a business development manager?

With experience and success in the role, a BDM may have the opportunity to advance to senior or director-level positions within business development. They may also be able to move into related areas such as sales management, marketing management, or strategic planning. Eventually, managers can move into top executive roles, such as chief business development officer or chief executive officer, particularly if they have a broad business background and development experience.

Reviewed and verified by Pete Newsome

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business development manager career path

Business Development Career Path - Highly Profitable?

If you want to build and grow a business, you have to start somewhere. If you’re considering a career path in business development, here’s why you should

What is business development?

Business development is the application of ideas and activities, as well as creating initiatives with the betterment of a business in mind. As part of a business developer career path, when engaged in business development, you will build partnerships, as well as make strategic decisions in order to increase business revenues, lower costs, become more profitable, and make the business grow.

What makes it important?

Businesses all have one goal – growth. To achieve this goal, you must weave together all aspects of a business. This is exactly what business development does: It acts as a common thread so that all functions such as sales, marketing, customer service, and even finance work together and complement each other to increase revenues and improve brand awareness.

Why business development as a career path?

Business covers a multitude of functions and areas. You can venture in promoting products and services to your target market through marketing – you can also be involved in the merchandise your organization is selling through product development. Business development covers all of these functions. In addition, there are specific reasons why professionals choose business development as their career choice.

1. You will be challenged to develop your skills

In business development, you will face different problems to solve each day, which means you get to challenge yourself. Some days you may face issues focusing on marketing; on other days, you may find yourself working on project management; and at other times, you will need to do data analysis.

The nature of work in business development will push you out of your comfort zone and will make you think outside of the box. Activities and challenges in business development will help you uncover skills you may not realize you had and develop them through consistent practice.

2. You will interact with different kinds of people

A career in business development means you will be interacting with other people constantly. This results in you establishing connections both for yourself and your organization, as you will serve as an ambassador for your organization. This brings a high level of responsibility.

Your interaction with other people will also bring useful insight in suggesting new ideas to your organization. In short, business development allows you to study the market firsthand by being the frontman of your organization.

3.   There’s never a dull day in business development

One thing that makes professionals lose their passion for their jobs is that their days become monotonous. In business development, that rarely happens. Every day brings a unique set of experiences and challenges. You’ll be interacting with different people and different departments and gaining new perspectives and skills.

A career in business development can also help you build relationships with people inside and outside your organization, which can be helpful in the future. Best of all, this means a career in business development will shape you into a more valuable individual in the general labor market.

Skills you’ll need in business development

Before you embark on a career in business development, you will need to possess the skills that almost all employers are looking for in their business development team. In this section, we’ll outline what those skills are, as well as why they are important in this field.

Communication skills

As business development activities include constant interaction with individuals within and outside the organization, you will need excellent communication skills. This allows you to listen attentively to your potential clients’ requests, concerns, and complaints, and respond appropriately. Strong communication skills also help in negotiations: You may find you need to negotiate on business proposals, sales deals, and partnerships.

Business development involves building and maintaining long-term relationships with important individuals as well as approaching potential clients, so good communication skills are a must.

business development manager career path

Sales skills

There is a lot of crossover between business development and sales – in fact, people often confuse the two roles! As a business developer, you will look for opportunities that can bring your company growth. You must have the skill to recognize your target market, as well as prospective partners. You also have to find opportunities to engage with them and build relationships with them. Obtaining skills in sales will help you evaluate and create a target audience.

The nature of business development also allows you to work closely with your organization’s sales team, as you move your potential clients to the next level in the sales funnel. So, when you are knowledgeable in sales, this step of the sales process becomes faster and easier.

Marketing skills

Understanding the principles of marketing will allow you to easily conduct your activities as a business developer. After all, both marketing and business development have the same goal: only the methods are different.

Some tasks that business development and marketing share include brand promotion and awareness, expansion of the market, and acquiring new users or audiences. Because business development does not directly sell to the customer, you have to build effective skills in promoting your company’s brand.

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ROI and data analysis skills

Whether you are a business development representative (BDR) or an executive, you have to know how to track returns on investments (ROI), as well as provide the data supporting your findings.

This will help you monitor which activities or investments contribute to your organization’s growth, and which ones aren’t as useful and should be discontinued. Measuring ROI involves several metrics, which are all dependent on your organization’s sales cycle and needs. Strong data analysis skills will help you interpret this information, make the right decisions, and achieve business growth.

Project management skills

Developing a business is a complex and large-scale project. For you to succeed, you have to possess management skills that will lead your team to success. After all, effective management is essential for the overall success of any project. Some project management skills that you can use in business development are as follows:

Team management

Risk management

Personal organization

Business development is not a one-man job: different people with different skill sets get to work together. You must be capable of working with others during your role, including resolving conflicts, upholding teamwork, and evaluating the team.

Business intelligence skills

Insight on the market is an essential skill to help a business grow, and this is what it means to be business intelligent. In business development, you must research the needs of your organization and your competitors to get a wider view of your place in the market.

Business intelligence skills include the ability to collect and analyze data from different sources. You need to ascertain which data is relevant and necessary, and when is the right time to use that data.

You start to obtain business intelligence skills in school, but you can still improve them through hands-on experience and continuing education. With these skills, you can start on your successful career path in business development.

How do you start working in a business development job role?

A typical business development career path begins with an entry-level position as a Business Development Representative (BDR).  As a BDR, you would be responsible for researching and identifying potential customers, building relationships with them, and helping them understand how your company’s products can meet their needs.

Through career progression this would lead to a Business Development Executive role. Which would be responsible for developing sales strategies and managing accounts.

Further career progression would lead to becoming a Business Development Manager. This role involves overseeing all business development activities, such as creating sales plans and monitoring customer feedback. This kind of role can then transition to leadership and high-up management roles.

Help a business grow: pursuing a career path in business development

If you are planning to pursue a career path in business development, experience in the business world is invaluable. Many of the most successful business development professionals started their careers in specific areas of business such as sales, marketing, or project management, before making the move into business development.

Here are some roles that fall into the business development career path.

business development manager career path

Business Development Representative

Also known as BDR, a business development representative handles the first stop in an organization’s sales funnel. They are responsible for finding and qualifying early-stage leads as they enter the funnel. Usually, BDRs engage in cold calling and emailing potential buyers, persuading them to book sales appointments.

In short, a business development representative oversees the expansion of the organization’s customer base. If you are interested in searching for potential customers as well as assessing them, then a BDR is a perfect role for you.

In the U.S., the average annual salary for an entry-level BDR is $42,000, but this can go up to $91,000 for senior or experienced BDRs. As businesses continue to grow, the demand for BDRs is likely to remain high over the coming years. It is expected that in a ten-year period from 2018 to 2028, BDRs will have a job growth rate of 2%.

Business Developer

A business developer role builds on the tasks of a BDR, but takes on a broader scope, including building and maintaining relationships with other organizations and clients. A business developer also has specific responsibilities, including:

Communicating with the sales team to generate proposals that mutually benefit the client and the company

Negotiating contract terms with the appropriate parties (clients, stakeholders)

Ensuring that contracts are executed according to what is agreed

If you have the skills in in-depth business analysis as well as formulating strategies, a career as a business developer may suit you perfectly.

A business developer earns a higher salary than a BDR. This is partly because of the heavier workload they have, but educational level also plays a factor: over 70% of business developers have bachelor’s degrees, and 12% have master’s degrees. In the U.S., a business developer can earn an average of $90,300 a year .

Business developers have been experiencing steady demand for years now. This is likely because businesses are eager for growth and increase their focus on brand awareness. Research projects that in a ten-year period from 2018 to 2028, the number of roles available for business developers will grow by 8% .

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Business Development Manager

When you have already gained experience as a business development representative or business developer, you can climb up the ladder and become a business development manager. BD managers have specific managerial responsibilities, including:

Setting goals for business and revenue growth

Developing action plans for the fulfillment of the goals

Looking for prospective leads in the target market

Tracking leads, making sure they move through the sales cycle

Researching, planning, implementing, and evaluating new initiatives in the target market

BD managers also train new staff in the business development department. This means that leadership qualities and teaching skills are essential to a BD manager.

With more responsibilities, the salary for a BD manager rises accordingly. A business development manager usually earns an average of $92,600 a year in the United States, and the field is growing at a rate of 8% per ten years.

Business Development Director

From the role of BD manager, it is possible to move into more specialized senior positions related to specific aspects of business development, such as a business development account manager, or business development sales manager. However, one of the top roles within the business development field is that of a business development director .

Business development directors need to be good at strategy and data. They use market research to identify business opportunities and exploit gaps in the market. They work closely with the C-suite to keep the business ahead of the competition.

The median salary for a business development director is $112,000 per year in the United States, with some roles going up to $180,000. It is generally expected for business development director candidates to have at least a bachelor’s degree, and 17% have a master’s degree. From this position, the most common promotions are to Vice President or President of the company.

Final thoughts

Realizing the goals of the business requires that all functions of the organization are working together, and business development is the thread that ties them together. If you are engaged in business development, you need to possess skills that cover several functions while keeping in mind the organization’s bigger picture.

One of the best ways to develop your skills is through an online distance-learning course from a recognized academic institution, like Nexford University .

Discover how you can acquire the most in-demand skills to pursue a career in business development with our free report, and open the doors to a successful career.

Download the free report today ! Looking to potentially take your career even further? Nexford offers a wide range of BBA and MBA programs that teach you the necessary skill set for your business development career path.

Mark Talmage-Rostron

Mark is a college graduate with Honours in Copywriting. He is the Content Marketing Manager at Nexford, creating engaging, thought-provoking, and action-oriented content.

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Career Guide: What Is Business Development?

A business developer works on a project

The business field just keeps growing. Employment in all business and financial operations jobs is projected to grow 8% from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics . *

Business development managers, or business developers, are vital to this growth. Business developers can be in entry-level positions right out of college, all the way up to CEO and other C-suite positions.

Blake Escudier , Purdue Global Faculty in the School of Business and Information Technology, helps us understand the duties and responsibilities of a business developer.

What Is Business Development?

Business development involves developing and implementing growth opportunities within and between organizations. The goal is to create long-term value from customers, markets, and relationships.

“Business development incorporates marketing and sales,” Escudier says, “but there's much more to it.”

While marketing focuses on reaching a wider audience, and sales typically leverages a one-to-one approach, business development seeks to grow a business. The goal is more than to increase profits; it’s to make intelligent business decisions for the overall health of a business.

What Does a Business Development Manager Do?

A business developer’s role is to contribute innovative ideas to help a company grow within its industry. They conduct market research and analyze a company’s current products and services to identify opportunities to increase customer engagement.

Among the business developer’s day-to-day roles, according to Indeed , are as follows † :

  • Coordinate with sales teams to develop mutually beneficial proposals
  • Develop and maintain client relationships
  • Gather actionable information from customer and competitor data
  • Identify and research potential clients
  • Make and give presentations to prospective clients and internal executives
  • Monitor project teams to ensure contracts are executed as agreed
  • Negotiate contract terms with clients and communicate with stakeholders

Business developers must stay knowledgeable about the current market to effectively target opportunities for growth. They are expected to have expert knowledge of their target audience and to engage with prospects to generate new business.

What Are the Skills Required for Business Development?

Business development requires a wide range of skills, from marketing to sales to project management and more.

“The skills could be very broad, depending on what level you're working on with the company,” Escudier says. “But everyone in a company, in their own way, is doing business development just by doing their job.”

Among the most common necessary skills are as follows:

Customer Service and Communication

Business developers must be able to write and speak confidently and clearly. They must call prospects, maintain long-term relationships with strategic partners, listen to concerns of potential clients, and share valuable information with stakeholders.

Business developers need to have a basic understanding of marketing concepts in order to position goods and services effectively. Business developers should be able to analyze new markets, understand the competition, and identify and educate new target prospects.

Negotiation

A business developer should be able to negotiate. They must generate leads and keep them engaged as they move through the sales funnel, even though they might not be the one responsible for closing deals.

Planning and Project Management

Business development is an involved process, so managing it closely is vital to a business developer’s success. Some of the skills needed to be a great project manager carry over to the business development industry, including leadership, team management, and personal organization.

Forecasting and Data Analysis

Business development professionals must know how to analyze data to forecast future trends and use that data to present to managers and executives. The metrics business developers track will vary depending on the sales cycle, needs of the company, and industry.

Sales Management

Similar to sales professionals, a business development professional must be able to identify members of the company's target audience and effectively find and follow up on opportunities for growth. Business developers typically work closely with sales team members to move prospects along the sales process.

Who Is a Good Fit for Business Development?

“Individuals who want to grow their career would be a good candidate for business development,” Escudier says. “They think, ‘What can I do to help my company?’ That’s what business development is all about.”

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce , business development candidates benefit from these traits:

  • Adaptability: Good business developers don’t take rejection personally, seeing it instead as a learning opportunity. They shift gears as needed to get positive results.
  • Listening: Good business developers should always be listening to clients and other employees. They need to take time to understand the client’s needs and then tailor their pitches.
  • Negotiating: This goes hand in hand with listening. Working with your client and then finding the best way to negotiate with them will benefit the company.
  • Relationship and Trust Building: Business developers realize that potential clients prefer people they know, like, and trust. Successfully building relationships involves being trustworthy and collaborative.

How Do You Become a Business Development Manager?

Becoming a business development manager will require a mix of education and experience. Here are four steps you can take to help you enter business development:

  • Get an education. According to Indeed.com , many employers will require you to have a bachelor’s degree in business administration or management, or other related fields, possibly with specializations in business development. You could also pursue a master’s degree to increase your value.
  • Find a mentor. A good mentor will help you expand your professional network and teach you more about launching a career as a business development manager. You could seek out a teacher, former manager, fellow alumni from your school, or any other experienced professional who could share their experiences, guidance, and advice.
  • Develop a range of skills. Work on the hard skills listed above, such as marketing, sales, and project management, along with soft skills like listening and planning. You should also be familiar with customer relationship management software, spreadsheets, word processing, and business presentation software.
  • Consider career goals. As a business development manager, you can climb the ranks through senior management, or you can start your own business. Focus on your goal and focus your knowledge and skills on that outcome.

What Is the Future of Business Development?

Business development is a growing field. Business development positions are the sixth most in-demand emerging job roles, according to the 2020 Future of Jobs Survey , conducted by the World Economic Forum. ‡

10 Jobs With Increasing Demand Across Industries

Escudier says he sees a growth in open positions in business development.

“One online job search company shows over 33,000 different jobs for the term ‘business development’ right now,” he says. The reasons are simple.

“Every business wants to maintain their position and not fail. Therefore, the company has to invest in business development,” Escudier says. “Today, with advances in technology and information access, with the potential for more of the internet of things and artificial intelligence, business development experts are going to have more data available to evaluate and to do their jobs better.”

Begin Your Career in Business Development

Purdue Global offers several paths to achieve the skills you need for a career in business development. Among the degrees you can explore are as follows:

  • Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration
  • Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (concentration in business development)
  • Master of Science in Management and Leadership

Find out more by contacting Purdue Global today.

About the Author

Purdue Global

Earn a degree you're proud of and employers respect at Purdue Global, Purdue's online university for working adults. Accredited and online, Purdue Global gives you the flexibility and support you need to come back and move your career forward. Choose from 175+ programs, all backed by the power of Purdue.

  • General Education
  • Legal Studies & Public Policy
  • Online Learning

Your Path to Success Begins Here

Learn more about online programs at Purdue Global and download our program guide.

Connect with an Advisor to explore program requirements, curriculum, credit for prior learning process, and financial aid options.

Purdue Global cannot guarantee employment or career advancement.

*Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook , Business and Financial Occupations, www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/home.htm . National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.

†Source: Indeed, “Business Developer Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications,” https://www.indeed.com/hire/job-description/business-developer

‡Source: World Economic Forum, “The Future of Jobs Report 2020,” https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Future_of_Jobs_2020.pdf

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Business development manager: what it is, salary & career paths.

Business Development Manager: What it is, Salary & Career Paths

The role of a business development manager varies quite a bit from company to company because it’s a very generic job title in a field that is still evolving. Essentially, a BD manager is in charge of creating value for the business through outside partnerships, sales, or other strategic initiatives. This role can be either the only BD person at a business or a mid-career position for professionals in the business development industry. In this article, we’ll analyze what a BD manager does, how much they make, and what your career path options could be.

What a Business Development Manager is

One of the best ways that the role of a business development manager has been put before is that it is like “sales without the money”. This is because a business development manager is responsible for helping businesses grow their revenue in, potentially, a variety of ways. A BDM can find themselves doing everything from prospecting to finding third parties to partner with to even closing customers themselves. Typically, a BDM can be found creating or nurturing opportunities that lead to either short-term or long-term revenue growth. That sounds very broad because the title “Business Development Manager” can mean a lot of different things to different people and organizations. The key component that most roles have in common is developing opportunities with the intention of revenue growth. There are two main types of business development managers, which are:

  • A generalist role that can be an entry-level point for business development for someone with some experience in other departments.
  • An actual middle management role that manages individual contributors in addition to other more strategic duties.

Let’s look at the main responsibilities the typical business development manager may be tasked with.

Main Responsibilities of a BD Manager

Your responsibilities as a business development manager are going to depend on the role that you take within your organization. This often is dependent on what business function the BD team reports to, but can also depend on the vision the head of the department or the CEO has set for growing the business. Your main responsibility is to create value by increasing company revenue. How this is accomplished can vary widely but some of the most common include creating external partnerships with strategically advantageous business partners, closing new customers, or finding creative ways to bring potential customers into the sales cycle. Overall, a BD manager is typically successful if they are able to diversify and create long-lasting revenue streams for the business. This helps sustain the future of the business while also increasing short-term revenue. Some of the main responsibilities that a business development manager will be charged with include:

  • Generating a sustainable potential customer pipeline.
  • Work with internal teams such as product, marketing, or sales to create and push new strategic initiatives forward.
  • Hire, onboard, and manage other BD team members.
  • Ideate and execute strategic initiatives to increase long-term revenue.
  • Explore external partnerships that could bring a high amount of company value.

Some business development managers will work on all of these initiatives while others could be uber-focused on a single one. It’s important to read the job description carefully and make sure you ask enough questions during the interview process so you know what your focus might be in any new role.

Who Would Enjoy the Business Development Manager Role?

Any role in business development is going to bring a lot of opportunities for career development and growth. Focusing on growing the business is a vital role in any business and it requires plenty of skills that will keep a life-long learner happy for a very long time. With that said, the majority of people who will enjoy a business development manager role are going to be individuals who enjoy some or all of these activities: -- Research-- Exploring the industry landscape-- Networking-- Learning the ins and outs of external businesses-- Building relationships with internal and external stakeholders-- Proposing, negotiating and finalizing deals-- Managing partnerships post-agreement-- Managing projects-- Working with internal teams to execute deals-- Teaching, role-playing, and managing other team members-- Presenting to a small group or individuals The more things that resonate with this list above, the more likely you are to enjoy working as a business development manager.

How to Become a Business Development Manager

You can transition into a career in business development in a number of ways. For many businesses, a BDM is the first BD role that is hired for the company. In order to get either the BD entry-level role as a business development manager or the people manager role, you’ll likely need to spend 2-3 years working in some capacity to grow your strategic thinking and revenue-generating abilities. Getting a role in BD is similar to any other role within the industry you’re applying for. You’ll need to gain some experience, network with other individuals, and learn some skills that prove you can perform the duties adequately enough to get the job. Many BDMs end up convincing their current company of the need to devote full-time resources to business development because it’s still very much an emerging field. A great way to break into the field is to get to know as many people currently working in it as possible. Reaching out to current business development managers or joining a community of people, similar to Firneo , who are learning and sharing information around business development is advantageous to finding your first BD role. For tips on how to prepare for a career in BD, check out our article on business development careers .

Business Development Manager Salary

The business development manager salary will depend on the job’s responsibilities, where the job is located, and what industry you’ll be working in. Based on some of the most reputable sites across the web, here are what many believe to be the salary range potential for these BDM roles in the U.S.:

  • Zippia : $60,000 - $141,000 with an average of $92,000 annually.
  • Glassdoor : $37,000 - $130,000 with an average of $69,006 annually.
  • Salary.com : $82,903 - $176,102 with an average of $130,085 annually.
  • Indeed : Only reports the average salary of $72,075 annually.
  • Payscale : $46,000 - $123,000 with an average of $74,450 annually.

Keep in mind that these sites are reporting based on the data they’re able to collect. So the types of jobs you’re going to find most frequently on each site will likely be the types of ranges they are reporting. For example, Glassdoor is widely accepted by tech companies to be a great resource for careers so there’s a good chance they have attracted data from the tech industry. Likewise, Firneo has collected salaries for many different types of business development roles that we give our members access to once they join the platform. We can guarantee that this dataset is 100% from business development professionals and we haven’t changed or manipulated that data in any way. To get access, just apply to join Firneo’s community.

Career Path Options For BD Managers

The most natural career progression for a business development manager is to become a BD leader and build out your own team, managing more and more of the strategy behind your company’s external partnerships as you go. However, there are other career options that are available to you after you’ve spent some time in business development. Let’s take a look at all of the most popular types of career paths that you could progress from after working as a business development manager.

  • Business Development Director: After working as a BDM for a few years and your BD team starts to grow you could find that your business needs a strategic lead to take over the entire department and manage other team members. This is commonly a business development director, which is a known leader through the industry that is primarily focused on partnerships and internal oversight.
  • Chief Revenue Officer: The first executive role that you could progress into is the CRO who is responsible for all revenue growth from business development to sales.
  • Chief Partnerships Officer: Another role that is not widely used yet but is the future of business development career progression is the CPO, who is responsible for all partnership activity throughout the business.
  • Operations (GM): Switching careers into operations or becoming a general manager of a business unit is a natural step since business development activity is similar to one of the main roles of a CEO. Taking on P&L responsibility and being able to lead the operational direction of a business unit could be interesting to those that enjoy executing partnership deals.
  • Product Management: A career in product management is a good change of pace career that many in BD end up transitioning to. In the tech industry, in particular, the BD team works closely with the product team to implement new partnership deals and many end up finding those implementations as their favorite part of the job.
  • Sales: A natural step to and from BD is to work on the sales team. It requires similar skills and many businesses deploy their BD team to close customers.

The sky can be the limit after you spend a few years as a business development manager. The skills you’ll acquire will enable a lot of opportunities to open up for you so it’s important to pave your own path with the things that you want out of your career.

Bottom Line

Becoming a business development manager is a great way to break into the world of BD. Depending on what industry and company you work with, it can be a very rewarding job that enables you to source, propose, and negotiate your own deals that will bring lasting revenue or opportunity to your business. It’s a vital role that’s becoming more and more popular in today’s economy and the skills you learn from it in a short period of time is a great opportunity to jump-start any career path.

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Business Development Manager career path

Business development manager career progression.

Project Manager

Avg Salary $91,578

Account Manager

Avg Salary $68,535

Account Executive

Avg Salary $69,618

Avg Salary $78,912

Avg Salary $58,651

Program Manager

Avg Salary $96,084

Avg Salary $58,013

Office Manager

Avg Salary $43,395

Owner/Operator

Avg Salary $167,288

General Manager

Avg Salary $71,581

  • Business Development Manager

Senior Business Development Manager

Avg Salary $129,638

Proposal Manager

Avg Salary $88,678

Consultant/Project Manager

Avg Salary $100,754

Business Development Director

Avg Salary $117,784

Director Of Sales

Avg Salary $111,068

Account Director

Avg Salary $114,728

Regional Sales Director

Avg Salary $117,369

Senior Sales Manager

Avg Salary $140,662

Senior Manager Of Marketing

Avg Salary $118,350

Senior Account Manager

Avg Salary $86,129

Is business development manager the right career path for me?

Take the career quiz to determine if the business development manager career path is a good fit for you.

Most common jobs before business development manager

Most common career progression for business development managers, recent job searches.

  • Supply chain lead jobs Supply chain lead Corbus jobs
  • Finance advisor jobs Resume Location Finance advisor Capstone Partners Financial and Insurance Services jobs
  • Certified nursing assistant jobs Resume Location Certified nursing assistant Edinboro Manor jobs
  • Operations specialist jobs Resume Location Operations specialist Wiser Company jobs
  • Customer service representative jobs Resume Location Customer service representative Digital International Corp jobs
  • Direct support professional jobs Resume Location Direct support professional CCARC jobs

Typical career advancement for business development managers

The most common career advancements for a business development manager include jobs as a proposal manager and a proposal manager, based on Zippia's database of real business development manager resumes. The career journey often starts as a project manager, and, with a few years of experience, can lead to a position as a account manager.

Career path #1: Project Manager

  • Average Salary: $91,578
  • Degree: Bachelor's Degree
  • Major: Business
  • Certification: Project Management Professional (PMP)

Career path #2: Account Manager

  • Average Salary: $68,535
  • Years Of Experience: 4-6 years
  • Certification: Certified Sales Professional (CSP)

Career path #3: Business Development Manager

  • Average Salary: $100,769

Career path #4: Proposal Manager

  • Average Salary: $88,678
  • Certification: Advanced Pain Management Practitioner Certification (APMP)

Career path #5: Senior Business Development Manager

  • Average Salary: $129,638
  • Certification: Professional Certified Marketer (PCM)

How do business development managers rate their job?

Business development manager related career path.

  • Account Development Manager Career Path
  • Business Account Manager Career Path
  • Business Development Account Manager Career Path
  • Business Development And Marketing Manager Career Path
  • Business Development Director Career Path
  • Business Development Executive Career Path
  • Business Development Officer Career Path
  • Business Development Sales Manager Career Path
  • Business To Business Sales Manager Career Path
  • Business Unit Manager Career Path
  • Development & Program Manager Career Path
  • Development Manager Career Path
  • Director New Business Development Career Path
  • Director Of Sales & Business Development Career Path
  • Head Of Business Development Career Path

Business Development Manager Related Jobs

  • Account Development Manager Employment Near Me
  • Business Account Manager Employment Near Me
  • Business Development Account Manager Employment Near Me
  • Business Development And Marketing Manager Employment Near Me
  • Business Development Director Employment Near Me
  • Business Development Executive Employment Near Me
  • Business Development Officer Employment Near Me
  • Business Development Sales Manager Employment Near Me
  • Business To Business Sales Manager Employment Near Me
  • Business Unit Manager Employment Near Me
  • Development & Program Manager Employment Near Me
  • Development Manager Employment Near Me
  • Director New Business Development Employment Near Me
  • Director Of Sales & Business Development Employment Near Me
  • Head Of Business Development Employment Near Me

What Similar Roles Do

  • Account Development Manager Responsibilities
  • Business Account Manager Responsibilities
  • Business Development Account Manager Responsibilities
  • Business Development And Marketing Manager Responsibilities
  • Business Development Director Responsibilities
  • Business Development Executive Responsibilities
  • Business Development Officer Responsibilities
  • Business Development Sales Manager Responsibilities
  • Business To Business Sales Manager Responsibilities
  • Business Unit Manager Responsibilities
  • Development & Program Manager Responsibilities
  • Development Manager Responsibilities
  • Director New Business Development Responsibilities
  • Director Of Sales & Business Development Responsibilities
  • Head Of Business Development Responsibilities

Resume For Related Jobs

  • Account Development Manager Resume
  • Business Account Manager Resume
  • Business Development Account Manager Resume
  • Business Development And Marketing Manager Resume
  • Business Development Director Resume
  • Business Development Executive Resume
  • Business Development Officer Resume
  • Business Development Sales Manager Resume
  • Business To Business Sales Manager Resume
  • Business Unit Manager Resume
  • Development & Program Manager Resume
  • Development Manager Resume
  • Director New Business Development Resume
  • Director Of Sales & Business Development Resume
  • Head Of Business Development Resume
  • Zippia Careers
  • Executive Management Industry
  • Business Development Manager Career Path

Career Advice

Aug 15, 2017

How to Become a Business Development Manager

As a Business Development Manager, you determine where, when, how and why a company will grow.

If an organisation wants to increase their profit, expand their business or cement new business relationships, you’re the strategic opportunist who’ll lead company growth both internally and externally.

business development manager career path

What is business development?

More than just well-timed networking, business development is the creation of long-term value for an organisation from customers, markets, and relationships. 1

Demand for professionals in this role is high and if you’re looking to enhance your hireability or cement your business development career path, you need to make sure you have the following skills:

  • Development of initiatives and strategies to serve company and client
  • Identification, negotiation and closing of all business deals
  • Communication, relationship management and product knowledge
Relationship management is a vital part of business development. All businesses rely heavily on all their stakeholders (internal and external) for progress. As a relationship manager, you are one of the few people who can (and should) step back to see all the moving parts of the business. NINA PARKER BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, GETSMARTER

What are the key responsibilities of a Business Development Manager?

When you work in a business development role you’ll focus on a combination of three core areas:

“The main goal to keep in mind as a Business Development Manager is that no matter what product you are selling, the fundamentals of doing business are always the same“, says GetSmarter Past Student, Craig Cunningham. “Having a good all round understanding of business gives you the edge over any sales rep who is focusing only on a product.”

Having a good all round understanding of business gives you the edge over any sales rep who is focusing only on a product. craig cunningham BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER AND GETSMARTER PAST STUDENT

Craig, who studied the University of Cape Town Basics of Financial Management online short course , currently works in the role of Business Development Manager for one of Australia’s largest suppliers of industrial fabrics.  He joined them with no network and limited industry knowledge when he was new to the city. Craig now manages a customer base of over 300 customers, from manufacturers to retailers.

3 Ways you can be a better Business Development Manager:

  • Always sell the business and not the product as your customer deals with the whole supply chain in the company you’re representing
  • Encourage self improvement in marketing, accounting or sales and management to gain the edge on your competition and establish an informed skill set
  • Adding value to your customer is ultimately the key to long-term success and loyal relationship going forward

What is the career path of a Business Development Manager?

This competitive field attracts professionals from a variety of backgrounds and few Business Development Manager career paths will be exactly the same.

Luckily for you, every large company across any industry will require BDMs who are able to analyse niche business operations and provide strategic planning and process structures. The majority of BDMs are found in the private sector, with over 50 percent in the financial, manufacturing and healthcare industries. 2

Business_Development_Manager_Infostat_ Mobile

Want the competitive edge over other BDMs in your field?

You’ve certainly heard of disruptive tech trends such as the Internet of Things , Big Data, Cybersecurity – why not become a subject matter expert who’ll be repeatedly sought after to leverage new-found skills and market knowledge?

Related content: 4 Ways Your Business Can Benefit From IoT

Business_Development_Manager_Pink Buttons

With the role of subject matter experts picked as one of the top 6 business development trends for 2017, you have the opportunity to bring your organisation and career into the future by gaining specialised knowledge that can grow into a marketable skill. 3

You’ll be able to demonstrate the importance of leadership and support your business when preparing and strategising for the opportunities you’ll gain by adopting this technology.

Take Your Next Step in Becoming a Development Manager with a Featured Online MBA Program

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What is the potential salary for a Business Development Manager?

Business Development Managers retain a high value in every company. Regardless of your industry, you’ll be in line to earn an impressive income. Currently, at Google, Hewlett-Packard and Lockheed Martin, Business Development Managers typically earn around $132K, $130K, or $118K, respectively. 4

The skills you’ll need to increase your earning potential?

  • Strategic Sales
  • Business Strategy
  • Contract Negotiation

Click on a country to see what you can expect to get paid as a Business Development Manager in either South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States of America:

Source: PayScale

What are the education and training requirements for a Business Development Manager?

Business development management positions require a bachelor’s degree preferably in business and management, and 3-5 years of sales or marketing experience.

Getting an MBA is recommended for BDMs if you’re looking to fortify your business knowledge in the three key areas of Economics, Quantitative Methods and Managerial Accounting.

Craig Cunningham also suggests and explains why BDMs should focus on upskilling in these 4 key areas:

  • Accounting Knowledge in this area gives you a great understanding of the inner workings of a business and the pathway to making profit. It’ll really help in your price negotiations along with understanding your customer’s financial problems and offering solutions.
  • Business process and practice Make yourself an indispensable resource for future businesses by learning to develop innovative action plans for sustainable, technology-driven business practices.

Related content: 8 Sustainability Trends Driving Business in 2017

Business_Development_Manager_Pink Buttons copy

  • Sales or Management Courses Gaining insight in this area will give you the strategic advantage when developing best-practice sales techniques. People management knowledge will confirm your ability to lead, organise, motivate and measure the performance of a sales team.
  • Marketing A basic understanding of marketing will always add value to your relationship with your customer. Being able to offer advice to your customer on selling on your product or working with them to build their brand elevates you from being salesperson/order taker to a trusted adviser which will ultimately build a great sustainable long-term relationship with your customer. If a customer is selling on your product they are selling your brand through their eyes. The way you present your brand is the way they will sell their’s.

You can also gain the tools needed for successful business development and learn how to create long-term value for your organisation with the The University of Cape Town (UCT) Business Development Management online short course.

Which skills do you need next ?  

Download a course prospectus to find out how one of these online short courses can help you become a Business Development Manager.

Business_Development_Manager_Business_Process_Design

1 Forbes 2 Business MBA 3 GoDaddy 4 PayScale

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Business Development Manager

The Business Development Manager career path can lead you to managerial roles with a challenging and rewarding career. The business development manager leads teams and takes care of all the sales-qualified leads in the business. If you want to become a business development manager, you need to learn strong sales, marketing, and communication skills and recognize your set of interests. Start your journey with these free courses and excel in your business development manager learning path.

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  • Home: Explore careers

Business development manager

Alternative titles for this job include.

Business development managers build relationships with customers, suppliers and partners. They help businesses grow and improve.

Average salary (a year)

£26,000 Starter

£64,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 a week

You could work

evenings attending events or appointments

How to become

How to become a business development manager.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly
  • a graduate training scheme

You can get into this career by doing a degree. Most degree subjects are acceptable though relevant subjects include:

  • business management
  • business development
  • accountancy
  • international relations

Employers will also usually want you to have experience in sales, marketing or business management. Work experience, internships or year in industry placements can help you gain commercial skills.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements
  • university courses and entry requirements
  • student finance for fees and living costs

You could study a college course in sales or business. If you've started work in a junior role, you could think about taking qualifications like:

  • Level 3 Award in Business Development Skills
  • Level 3 Certificate in Sales and Account Management
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
  • funding advice
  • search for courses

Apprenticeship

You can gain useful skills and work towards this role through apprenticeships like:

  • business to business sales professional degree apprenticeship
  • retail leadership degree apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
  • guide to apprenticeships

You could work your way up from a sales or marketing role by taking further training on the job.

Direct Application

You could apply directly to become a business development manager, as there are no formal entry requirements. Employers may ask for:

  • GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in maths, English and IT
  • sales, marketing or business management experience
  • a degree in any subject

Other Routes

Graduate training schemes are offered by some companies and organisations. You'll need a degree or postgraduate qualification to apply.

Career tips

In some jobs you'll have to travel overseas to meet customers, so it may be helpful to speak a second language.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the The Managing & Marketing Sales Association , for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge.

You'll need:

  • the ability to sell products and services
  • business management skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • leadership skills
  • customer service skills
  • persuading skills
  • ambition and a desire to succeed
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

What you'll do, day-to-day tasks.

In your day-to-day duties you could:

  • research organisations to find new customers
  • 'cold call' to arrange meetings at customers' premises
  • find out what an organisation needs and plan proposals and pricing
  • sell products and services to new and existing customers
  • negotiate with customers and build positive relationships
  • attend events and conferences
  • write reports and make presentations to customers and senior management
  • identify new methods and opportunities for sales campaigns
  • forecast sales targets and make sure they're met
  • run training for business developers and junior sales teams

Working environment

You could work at a client's business or in an office.

Career path and progression

Your career path will depend on the sector that you work in.

With experience, you could progress to roles like senior development manager, business development executive or marketing director.

You could specialise in business development within a specific sector like manufacturing or healthcare.

You could also use your skills in sales, marketing and project management to move into other roles, for example as a business analyst.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships in england, business to business sales degree apprenticeship.

  • Wage: £25,400.00 Annually
  • Location: London
  • Wage: £23,400.00 Annually
  • Location: Ng2 Business Park, Nottingham

Courses In England

Hnd business (management).

  • Provider: ACTIVATE LEARNING
  • Start date: 11 September 2024
  • Location: Oxford

Business Management IB Standard

  • Provider: ANGLO EUROPEAN SCHOOL
  • Start date: 02 September 2024
  • Location: INGATESTONE

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Not what you're looking for?

Search further careers, related careers.

  • Business adviser
  • Marketing manager
  • Sales manager
  • Business analyst

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IMAGES

  1. What Is a Typical Business Development Career Path? (+Job Titles

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  5. Career Path Framework Template

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  6. Career Path Template

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COMMENTS

  1. Business Development Manager

    Learn what business development managers do, what skills and salary they need, and how to get into the role. Find out the career path of a business development manager and the benefits of working in this field.

  2. What is a Business Development Manager and How to Become One

    The business development manager salary varies widely depending on experience, industry, and geographic location. Here are the average business development manager salary figures from Glassdoor.. Entry-Level: US$ 98,000; Median: US$ 129,000; Senior: US$ 174,000; When compared to the national average, which is $59,428 according to Forbes, all business development managers receive a high salary.

  3. What Is a Typical Business Development Career Path? (+Job Titles ...

    Learn how to start as a BDR and climb up the ladder to a manager role in business development, with the possibility of leading a team or moving into leadership. Find out the essentials skills, tips and opportunities for growth in this challenging and rewarding field.

  4. How to Become a Business Development Manager?

    1 Obtain a degree in a field like business administration. Even though there is no national requirement to become a business development manager, most companies seek employees who have a bachelor's degree in business administration, communications, finance, marketing, accounting, or a related field.

  5. Career in Business Development: The Ultimate Guide

    June 20, 2021 | Career growth Why choose a career in business development? What does a business development manager do? What's the typical business development career path? How profitable is a career in business development? Is business development good for you? What do you need to start a career in business development?

  6. What is a Business Development Manager? Explore the Business

    Explore the Business Development Manager Career Path in 2024 What is a Business Development Manager? Learn about the role of Business Development Manager, what they do on a daily basis, and what it's like to be one. Career Paths Business Development Manager Getting Started as a Business Development Manager Job Titles

  7. What does a Business Development Manager do?

    Business development managers need a minimum bachelor's degree in business administration, business management, finance, accounting, marketing, or related fields. Education Bachelor's Degree Work/Life Balance 3.8 ★ Total Pay 98K-174K Career Opportunity 3.8 ★ Avg. Experience 2-4 years

  8. What Does a Business Development Manager Do? (With Salary)

    Experience Since a business development manager works in a mid-level role, it's important to gain relevant work experience before applying for jobs. Business internships can help you increase your professional network and learn more about the field and develop your skills.

  9. How to Find Your Ideal Business Development Career Path

    1 Skills and Interests Your skills and interests are the foundation of your business development career path. You need to assess your strengths and weaknesses, as well as your passions and...

  10. What Does a Business Development Manager Do?

    Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on Feb 1, 2024. A business development manager works in strategic planning, sales management, and prospecting for new clients to help grow an organization. If you're interested in strategic planning, setting and reaching goals, and working with people inside and outside of your organization, then you may ...

  11. The Plain English Guide to Becoming a Business Development Manager

    Meredith Hart Published: March 13, 2023 Do you have excellent communication skills? Are you a quick learner who enjoys gaining new business knowledge? If so, a career as a business development manager (BDM) could be a fantastic fit for you. Business development management allows you to flex your relationship-building and problem-solving skills.

  12. The Ultimate Business Development Manager Career Guide

    Business development manager career path. The career path for a business development manager usually begins with an entry-level role in sales, marketing, or a related field. This early stage provides fundamental knowledge about market trends, customer needs, and sales strategies, which are crucial for business development. ...

  13. Business Development Career Path

    Programs Overview View programs Take our program quiz Undergraduate Degree Online BBA Degree Program ↳ Specialization in Artificial Intelligence ↳ Specialization in Business Analytics ↳ Specialization in Digital Marketing ↳ Specialization in Digital Transformation ↳ Specialization in Entrepreneurship ↳ Specialization in International Business

  14. Career Guide: What Is Business Development?

    December 9, 2021 | Purdue Global The business field just keeps growing. Employment in all business and financial operations jobs is projected to grow 8% from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. * Business development managers, or business developers, are vital to this growth.

  15. Business Development Manager: What it is, Salary & Career Paths

    Operations (GM): Switching careers into operations or becoming a general manager of a business unit is a natural step since business development activity is similar to one of the main roles of a CEO. Taking on P&L responsibility and being able to lead the operational direction of a business unit could be interesting to those that enjoy ...

  16. Business Development Career Path: Positions, Duties and Tips

    A business development career path refers to the positions you can work in as a business development practitioner. Business developers identify and develop new business opportunities, creating and implementing strategies to help a company grow. ... A business development manager oversees BDRs and account executives and is responsible for ...

  17. What Is a Business Development Manager and How to Become One

    A business development manager (BDM) works to develop specific business relationships or strategic partnerships on behalf of an organization, while the function of a marketing department is to create materials that target any clients within certain demographics. A business development manager may use marketing material along with their business ...

  18. Business development manager career path

    Career paths for business development managers are diverse and wide ranging. With experience and proven success, business development managers can progress to more senior roles or even executive-level positions, such as senior sales director or executive vice president of sales. Working as a Business Development Manager? Overall Rating

  19. How to become a Business Development Manager

    Career Explorer Business Development Manager Skills How to become a Business Development Manager Follow these steps to become a business development manager: Earn an education **.** Start by pursuing a bachelor's degree in either business administration, sales and marketing or entrepreneurship.

  20. How to Become a Business Development Manager

    What is the career path of a Business Development Manager? This competitive field attracts professionals from a variety of backgrounds and few Business Development Manager career paths will be exactly the same.

  21. Career Path to Become a Business Development Manager

    The Business Development Manager career path can lead you to managerial roles with a challenging and rewarding career. The business development manager leads teams and takes care of all the sales-qualified leads in the business. If you want to become a business development manager, you need to learn strong sales, marketing, and communication ...

  22. Business development manager

    Career path and progression Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities. Current opportunities Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you. Business development...

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  24. What does a Customer Relationship Manager do?

    Customer Relationship Manager Career Path. Learn how to become a Customer Relationship Manager, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path. ... Business Development Manager; Sales Manager; What are the common qualifications to be a Customer Relationship Manager?

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