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Business Development Executive job description template

If you are hiring for this role, start here. This free template is our detailed definition of the position, with everything you need to find and hire the right person. Copy it, add your own requirements, and post it.

Free job description below
Median pay
$75,337per year, about $36 an hour
Range$23,500 to $120,000 a year
Hourly$12 to $58 an hour
Also calledBusiness Development Coordinator, Business Development Associate, Business Development Manager
DepartmentSales
The role

What is a Business Development Executive?

Business Development Executives are senior-level employees in companies responsible for expanding the company’s client base, building long-lasting relationships with new and existing clients, and increasing revenue by closing new business deals.

They are focused on researching market trends, competition, new products, and target audiences.

Business Development Executives also look for ways to improve the company’s offerings, participate and marketing and sales efforts, and collaborate and negotiate with clients regarding business proposals and the company’s products and services.

What to screen for

The top Business Development Executive skills.

Five things separate a strong hire from a résumé that reads well. Use these as your scorecard criteria.

SkillWhy it matters
CollaborationBusiness Development Executives must be skilled in building and nurturing professional relationships with clients and partners to ensure beneficial business proposals. The ability to effectively collaborate helps them establish trust with clients, successfully negotiate, understand their needs, and achieve mutual goals.
Strategic ThinkingStrategic mind is essential for Business Development Executives because it helps them implement unique strategic plans and projects for increasing the company’s sales and revenue growth. Strategic thinking means carefully considering every aspect of the job and determining the best source of action based on the competition, client needs, market, etc.
LeadershipBusiness development is a job that requires strong leadership abilities. Business Development Executives are senior-level employees whose job is to motivate, guide, and encourage their team members toward the company’s objectives. Leadership also helps them explain the importance of their job to team members and train new employees.
Sales SkillsExcellent sales skills are crucial for Business Development Executives because one aspect of their job is selling the company’s products and services to prospective clients to establish a collaboration. Sales skills also involve extensive market research and knowledge to identify new business opportunities, target audiences, and expand the company’s offerings.
CommunicationCombined with collaboration and negotiation, communication represents another quintessential skill for Business Development Executives. None of the other skills wouldn’t be possible without the essential ability to communicate with people, express ideas and plans, present business proposals, and close business deals.
Free template

The job description, ready to post.

Copy it as written, or edit it until it sounds like your company. Both work.

Business Development ExecutiveSales · Free to use and edit

Our company is looking for an experienced Business Development Executive to strengthen our team. Your main responsibilities will include overseeing the process of business development within the company and establishing business proposals for increasing the company’s revenue and growth. You will expand our client base and establish long-term relationships with clients by identifying their needs and potential business opportunities. Your goal will be to sell the company’s products and services and ensure client satisfaction.

Additionally, you will participate in developing marketing and sales campaigns and strategies, research market trends, competition, and new products, and maintain accurate records of sales activities and client data. You will also guide and encourage your team members and train new employees.

To be successful as a Business Development Executive, you should have extraordinary communication, collaboration, strategic thinking, sales, and leadership skills.

Duties and responsibilities

  • Monitor business development processes within the organization to increase the business revenue and growth
  • Build and maintain long-term relationships with clients and identify possible business opportunities
  • Develop and present customized business proposals to each client
  • Collaborate with clients through social media, email, or in person
  • Coordinate with other departments to create materials that will support sales efforts
  • Research market trends, business opportunities, competition, and new clients and products
  • Ensure client satisfaction by delivering excellent service
  • Keep an accurate record of client data and sales activities
  • Assist in developing marketing and sales campaigns and strategies
  • Recruit and train new team members and equip them with technical and social skills
  • Negotiate with clients regarding contract terms, pricing, etc
  • Review clients’ feedback and ensure they are satisfied with the services provided
  • Identify ways to improve the company’s performance and offerings

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in business, business administration, marketing, or communications
  • A Master’s degree in business administration is an advantage
  • Broad sales and management working experience
  • Strong commercial awareness and business acumen
  • Knowledge of sales principles and strategies
  • The ability to establish long-term relationships with clients and partners
  • Outstanding communication and leadership
  • Strategic mindset
Add your pay range, benefits, and location before you post. Postings with a stated range get significantly more finished applications than the ones that leave it out.

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Copy it straight into your job board or ATS, or have it emailed to you with the interview questions for this role.

Education

Degree first, then the certification.

Common educational requirements for Business Development Executives include a Bachelor’s degree in business, business administration, marketing, communications, or a similar field.

Some employers prefer candidates with a higher educational level, such as a Master’s degree in business administration.

Previous working experience in business, sales, or marketing can be beneficial for prospective candidates, as well as internship programs or entry-level jobs.

Candidates can also prove their knowledge and competency through relevant certification programs, such as the Certified Business Development Professional or Certified Business Development Expert.

CBDP

Certified Business Development Professional

Demonstrates expertise in business development strategies and practices.

Association of Business Development Professionals
CBDE

Certified Business Development Expert

Validates advanced skills in business development and client relationship management.

International Business Development Institute
Treat these as a signal, not a requirement. Plenty of strong candidates come up through experience without one.
After the applications land

Sample interview questions for a Business Development Executive.

Once you have gathered the applications, work through these in order. Twelve questions across four areas, enough to tell your shortlist apart.

Personal
  • What is your educational background?
  • How did you choose your major in college?
  • Is there any habit or trait that you would like to change about yourself?
Human Resources
  • How experienced are you when it comes to business development?
  • What new skills or strategies would you bring to this company if you get hired?
  • Why do you believe you are the most suitable candidate for this position?
Management
  • How would you convince a client that our product is better than the competition’s product?
  • How do you go about evaluating a new market?
  • What is your experience with CRM Software?
Technical Skills and Knowledge
  • Considering your current knowledge of our company, what partnerships do you think would be beneficial for us?
  • What are the most important things you should ask a client to understand their needs?
  • What strategies would you implement to improve our company’s marketing and sales efforts?
Pay

How much to pay when hiring.

Annual pay by percentile. Where you land depends on the size of the cycle they will own, and the 25th percentile is usually where a first analyst hire sits.

10th percentile$23,500
25th percentile$48,500
Median$75,337
75th percentile$89,500
90th percentile$120,000

Hourly equivalents run from $12 at the 10th percentile to $58 at the 90th.

Related job titles

Candidates may apply under a different name.

Post the title your industry uses and keep the rest of the description. These three roles overlap enough that the same posting usually reaches all of them.

Same work, different title

Three titles, one description.

Search behavior varies by industry, so the same job is advertised under several names. If you are unsure which one your candidates search for, run two titles and see which fills.

Business Development Coordinator

A Business Development Coordinator is a professional responsible for supporting the business development efforts of an organization.

$55,731 median

Business Development Associate

A Business Development Associate is responsible for developing and executing plans to increase a company's market share and drive revenue growth.

$63,578 median
Questions

Frequently asked questions.

What is a Business Development Executive?

Business Development Executive is a professional responsible for overseeing business development processes in a company.

They build long-term relationships with clients, identify business opportunities, research market trends and new products, focus on business and revenue growth, and develop sales strategies and campaigns.

Who do Business Development Executives report to?

Business Development Executives typically report to the company’s CEO.

They work closely with CEOs to establish marketing and sales strategies, identify and execute business proposals, and support the overall company’s vision.

What are the educational requirements for Business Development Executives?

Business Development Executives need a Bachelor’s degree in business, business administration, marketing, communications, or a similar field.

They can also choose to pursue a Master’s degree in business administration or relevant business development certifications.

What are the essential skills for Business Development Executives?

Business Development Executives must have strong communication, collaboration, leadership, sales, marketing, and strategic skills.

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