Business development manager
Business development managers build long-lasting relationships with customers and help their businesses to grow and improve.
- Starter salary£28,000 a year
- Experienced£80,000 a year
- Typical hours37 to 40 a week
What you'll do
As a business development manager, you could:
- analyse companies and market trends to spot new investment opportunities
- attend events and conferences to network and create contacts
- negotiate services and prices with new and existing clients
- develop strong relationships with customers
- write reports and make presentations to customers and senior management
- identify opportunities for sales and marketing campaigns
- forecast sales targets and help plan how to meet them
- run training workshops for business development teams
Working environment
You could work at a client's business or in an office.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- the ability to sell products and services
- business management skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- leadership skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- customer service skills
- persuading skills
- ambition and a desire to succeed
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
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
University
You can study for a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:
- business management
- business development
- accountancy
- economics
- marketing
- international business
Employers may want you to have some experience in sales, marketing or business management.
Work experience, internships or year in industry placement during your course can help you gain commercial skills. Your university careers service can help you to find opportunities like these.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
College
You may be able to join a business development team as an assistant after completing a relevant college course.
For example:
- business administration
- sales and marketing
- sales and account management
- T Level in Marketing
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do an apprenticeship with an organisation, such as:
- Sales Executive Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
- Marketing Executive Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
- Business to Business Sales Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
You could also apply for a place on an apprenticeship aimed at a specific industry, like an IT Technical Salesperson Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Work
You could start in a sales, finance or marketing role with a company and move into business development through training, certification and promotion.
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, account management or business management experience
- industry certification
Other routes
Some companies offer places on a graduate training scheme in business development. You'll need a degree or postgraduate qualification to apply.
Restrictions and requirements
You'll usually need a driving licence.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a senior development manager, business development executive or marketing director.
You could also choose to specialise in a specific sector, for example:
- travel
- engineering
- e-commerce
- healthcare
You could use your skills in sales, marketing and projects to move into related roles, like business analyst or management consultant.
Career tips
In job vacancies, the advertised salary may include on-target earnings (OTE), which depend on meeting individual or company targets. It's important to check what proportion of the salary is made up of OTE.
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the Business Development Association , for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.
Guides for this industry
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