Business Development Manager
Job Description:Business development managers plan business strategies, find new customers and markets, and help companies grow.
Job Category:What you will do:
Your job as a business development manager is to identify sales leads, pitch goods or services to new clients, and maintain a good working relationship with existing contacts.
Your day-to-day duties could include:
- researching organisations to find new customers and identify who makes the decisions
- ‘cold calling’ to arrange meetings at customers’ premises
- finding out what an organisation needs and working with a team to plan proposals and pricing
- selling products and services to new and existing customers
- negotiating with customers and building positive relationships
- attending events and conferences
- writing reports and making presentations to customers and senior management
- identifying new methods and opportunities for sales campaigns
- forecasting sales targets and making sure they’re met
- delivering training to business developers and junior sales teams
Skills:
You’ll need:
- business management skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
As well as:
- the ability to sell products and services
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- leadership skills
- customer service skills
- persuading skills
- ambition and a desire to succeed
Entry Requirements:
There are no set entry requirements, but employers may ask for:
- school qualifications in maths, English and IT
- sales, marketing or business management experience
- a degree in any subject
A business-related degree (such as business management, accountancy, or economics) could help you get onto some companies’ graduate training programmes.
Alternatively, a degree relevant to the specific industry sector you want to work in can be useful.
You could also:
- work your way up from a sales or marketing role
- get a head start by doing a college course in sales or business
- develop useful customer service and marketing skills by volunteering
Working Hours and Environment:
You’ll work in a variety of businesses across the public and private sectors, or for charities.
You’ll usually work standard office hours, Monday to Friday, although you may need to work longer hours to meet deadlines.
Hours may also be longer when off-site at customers’ premises or at conferences.
Travel is often required and you’ll usually need a driving licence. You may be provided with a company car.
Standard business dress will be expected.
Career Path & Progression:
With experience, you could progress to senior development manager, business development executive or marketing director.
You could also use your skills in sales, marketing and project management to move into other areas of business.