Business Development Manager
Job Description
The role of a Business Development Manager (often referred to as BDM) is to develop business goals and objectives that lead to growth and prosperity. This involves designing and implementing marketing strategies and business plans. Such goals may include sourcing new customers and business opportunities, attaining new sales leads, or expanding the company’s presence in the market. The Business Development Manager may also assess whether the company has adequate and suitable resources such as equipment, tools, software, stock, and staff. The Business Development Manager can oversee company financials, processes, procedures, operations, human resources, recruitment, marketing and customer relations. It can be quite a broad role depending on the business. Business Development Managers work in various businesses in different industries across public, private, and charitable sectors.
Hours
Although a Business Development Manager may have set office hours, they will often work outside of regular business hours and on weekends.
Qualifications
In a Business Management role, you will most likely need a combination of practical experience, formal qualifications, sales experience, team leadership skills, business management expertise and perhaps knowledge of a particular industry, product or service.
If you are starting out or looking to upskill, consider courses such as;
- Formal qualifications in Business
- Formal qualifications in Business Administration, Accounting and/or Team Leadership
- Bachelor of Applied Business (Management)
- A Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, finance, marketing, or a related field
- Expert knowledge or qualification of the industry or company you are working in
To gain experience you may like to apply for positions in Sales and Marketing or progressively develop enough knowledge and experience in a particular company or industry.
Attributes
- Adaptability
- Ambitious
- Charismatic
- Competitive
- Devoted
- Eloquent
- Friendly
- Inquisitive
- Open-minded
- Organised
- Persuasive
- Punctual
- Resourceful
- Team player
Key Skills
- Developing growth strategies
- Managing and nurturing relationships
- Networking
- Researching
- Writing and presentation
- Advice
- Negotiating
Future Prospects
Business Development Managers have the opportunity to grow into higher-level management and specialist roles, especially if they develop detailed knowledge of a specific product, or service or the company operations. They should always demonstrate advanced problem-solving skills through the development of improved processes and procedures and long-term strategic planning. If you see yourself somewhere on this list it gives an insight into future career opportunities or an opportunity to glance back on how far you have progressed.
- Board of Directors
- Managing Director
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
- Chief Operating Officer (COO)
- Business Developement Manager
- Vice President
- General Manager
- Operations Manager
- Strategic Planning Manager
- Commercial Manager
