Signs a Career as a Business Development Manager is for You

A Business Development Manager is responsible for sourcing and negotiating new business opportunities. Here are the signs you’d make a good business development manager:

You have…

• self-motivation and determination to meet or exceed targets
• strong verbal communication and relationship management skills to initiate and maintain professional relationships
• strong written communication and presentation skills
• IT literacy, including the use of spreadsheets
• teamworking skills and a collaborative approach to work
• negotiation and decision-making skills
• the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines
• the ability to plan and think strategically
• good numeracy skills and the ability to analyse sales figures.

You want to…

• research and source new business opportunities – including new markets, growth areas, trends, customers, partnerships, products and services
• generate leads and cold call prospective customers
• meet with customers/clients
• initiate and maintain relationships with customers/clients
• set goals to develop the business
• draw up client contracts
• advise customers on the business’ products and services
• collaborate with the marketing department on promotional strategy
• keep abreast of trends and changes in the sector.

You don’t mind…

• mostly office-based work
• occasional working outside of office hours on short-term projects
• a pressured environment with a need to meet targets on time
• frequent travel
• Business attire 

Getting started

This career path is open to all graduates but a degree in one of the following subjects may be advantageous:

• Accountancy
• Business studies
• Economics
• Finance
• International relations
• Marketing.

A degree would also give you access to graduate schemes.

Otherwise, apprenticeships are available at various levels, combining studying with paid work.

Another route into this role is through entry-level positions in sales for example or marketing and then completing training in the workplace.

Search all business development jobs on our vacancies page.

Article source: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/business-development-manager