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Business Development Manager job description template

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Free job description below
Median pay
$85,602per year, about $41 an hour
Range$38,016 to $132,000 a year
Hourly$18 to $63 an hour
EducationBusiness Development Managers often obtain a Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, administration, or related field.
Also calledDirector of Business Development, Sales Manager, Business Development Specialist
DepartmentSales
The role

What is a Business Development Manager?

Business Development Managers are focused on improving and growing business by building and maintaining relationships with clients, customers, suppliers, and other partners. They represent the initial link between a potential client or customer and a product/service that a company provides.

Business Development Managers develop growth and business improvement strategies to enhance profitability and customer satisfaction. They conduct research to find new business opportunities, markets, trends, and trends.

Business Development Managers also participate in marketing campaigns and initiatives, set goals for the team, and ensure they are met.

Additionally, Business Development Managers provide training and assistance to new employees, delegate tasks to existing team members, and monitor their performance.

Finally, they establish and maintain long-term and trusting relationships with current and new customers and clients.

What to screen for

The top Business Development Manager skills.

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

SkillWhy it matters
Knowledge of the Company’s BusinessThe basic skill of a Business Development Manager is a strong understanding and knowledge of a company's business, products, and services. The knowledge of general business strategies is essential if a Business Development Manager needs to train and familiarize new employees with those strategies and the ways business works.
CommunicationWithout excellent communication skills, it is hard to be a successful Business Development Manager. Communication skills help them transfer valuable information and communicate clearly and effectively with stakeholders, clients, and partners. Good communication also involves listening, asking appropriate questions, and understanding the person they are talking to.
Analysis and Problem-Solving SkillsDuring the execution of a certain project or strategy, a problem or issue may occur. Business Development Managers need to be able to identify, analyze, and provide quick and convenient solutions to it. Additionally, they are responsible for finding new business opportunities, where analytical skills can also be very helpful.
Computer SkillsEvery competent Business Development Manager should master at least basic computer skills and programs that are widely used in the digital world. They should know how to work in Microsoft Office and CRM Software. Execution of important projects, strategies, and research wouldn’t be possible without the solid knowledge of various programs and tools.
NegotiationBusiness Development is all about convincing customers to buy products, or stakeholders to make investments. Business Development Managers should be smart, tactful, and diplomatic when interacting with either customers or superiors. Great negotiation skills help Business Development Managers earn their trust, and therefore accomplish their goal.
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 ManagerSales · Free to use and edit

We’re searching for a results-driven Business Development Manager to join our team and drive our growth strategy forward. In this role, you will be responsible for identifying new business opportunities, building strong client relationships, and developing strategies that expand our market presence. Your expertise in market analysis and lead generation will be key to achieving our ambitious growth targets.

As a Business Development Manager, you will work closely with our sales and marketing teams to create and implement effective plans that align with our business objectives. Your ability to understand client needs, negotiate contracts, and close deals will directly contribute to our success. If you’re ready to take on a challenging and rewarding role with significant impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Duties and responsibilities

  • Develop and execute sales strategies and campaigns.
  • Develop growth strategies to improve profitability and customer satisfaction.
  • Promote the company’s vision, products, and services.
  • Research new business plans, opportunities, trends, markets, and partners.
  • Develop goals for the team.
  • Ensure that business plans adhere to law-established rules and regulations.
  • Provide accurate feedback to superiors and other team members.
  • Prepare sales contracts and record sales, revenues, and invoices.
  • Train and assist new team members.
  • Delegate tasks to team members and evaluate their performance.
  • Arrange and attend business meetings and conferences.
  • Establish and maintain trusting relationships with customers and partners.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in business, administration, economics, marketing, or similar.
  • Previous experience in sales administration.
  • Technical skills and IT fluency.
  • Outstanding communication and negotiation skills.
  • Business and analytical mind.
  • Problem-solving skills.
  • Project management and organizational skills.
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

What education this role needs.

Business Development Managers often obtain a Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, administration, or related field.

Working experience of a minimum of 5 years is crucial for candidates because they need to demonstrate a specific set of skills to be successful in this position.

Most employers would look for candidates who are great leaders and negotiators.

After the applications land

Sample interview questions for a Business Development Manager.

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

Personal
  • What motivates you to succeed in a business development role?
  • How do you handle rejection or setbacks in your professional life?
  • Can you describe a time when you had to learn a new skill quickly to achieve a business objective?
Human Resources
  • How do you build and maintain relationships with potential clients or partners?
  • How do you handle conflicts or disagreements within your team?
  • What strategies do you use to keep your team motivated and productive?
Management
  • Can you provide an example of a successful business development strategy you implemented?
  • How do you prioritize and manage multiple projects or clients?
  • How do you measure the success of your business development initiatives?
Technical Skills and Knowledge
  • What tools or software do you use to track and analyze business development activities?
  • How do you stay updated on industry trends and market conditions?
  • Can you describe your experience with creating and delivering sales presentations?
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$38,016
25th percentile$61,000
Median$85,602
75th percentile$100,000
90th percentile$132,000

Hourly equivalents run from $18 at the 10th percentile to $63 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.

Director of Business Development

Sales Manager

Sales managers work for companies in a variety of sectors to assist them to accomplish their revenue goals.

$69,391 median

Business Development Specialist

Business Development Specialists play a huge role in companies by generating new business opportunities and increasing revenue and brand growth.

$51,842 median
Questions

Frequently asked questions.

What are the primary responsibilities of a Business Development Manager?

A Business Development Manager (BDM) is responsible for identifying new business opportunities, building and maintaining relationships with clients, and developing strategies to increase company revenue.

They conduct market research, create business plans, and collaborate with other departments to implement growth strategies.

BDMs also negotiate contracts, manage client accounts, and ensure customer satisfaction to foster long-term partnerships.

What qualifications are typically required for a Business Development Manager position?

Most BDM positions require a bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing, or a related field.

Employers often prefer candidates with several years of experience in sales, marketing, or business development.

Strong communication, negotiation, and analytical skills are essential.

Some positions may also require knowledge of specific industries or markets, and a master's degree or MBA can be an advantage.

How does a Business Development Manager contribute to a company's growth?

A Business Development Manager plays a crucial role in a company's growth by identifying new business opportunities and markets, developing strategic partnerships, and implementing plans to increase sales and revenue.

They analyze market trends and customer needs, which helps the company stay competitive and responsive to market changes.

By building and nurturing client relationships, BDMs help secure long-term contracts and repeat business, contributing significantly to the company's financial stability and growth.

What are the key skills a Business Development Manager should possess?

Key skills for a Business Development Manager include strong communication and interpersonal skills, which are essential for building relationships with clients and stakeholders.

Analytical and problem-solving skills are crucial for identifying market opportunities and developing effective strategies.

Negotiation skills help in securing favorable contracts, while project management skills are necessary for overseeing business development initiatives.

Additionally, a good understanding of market research and sales techniques is important for driving business growth.

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