Business Development Manager

Typical Salary

£25,000 To £60,000

Typical Hours

38 to 40 a week

evenings attending events or appointments

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
graduate training scheme

College / University

You'll find a degree in business development or business management may give you useful background knowledge and help you get onto the graduate training programmes, which are run by some companies.Other useful subjects include:

accountancy
economics
international relations

2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

You could study a college course in sales or business. If you've started work in a junior role, you could consider taking qualifications like:

Level 2 Diploma in Skills for Business: Sales and Marketing
Level 3 Award in Business Development Skills
Level 3 Certificate in Sales Management

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You can work towards this role by doing a business to business sales professional or retail leadership degree apprenticeship.

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

You could work your way up from a sales or marketing role.

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 or business management experience
a degree in any subject

Other Routes

Graduate training schemes are offered by some companies.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

the ability to sell products and services
knowledge of English language
the ability to use your initiative
leadership skills
maths knowledge
customer service skills
business management skills
ambition and a desire to succeed
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Day To Day Tasks

In your day-to-day duties you could:

research organisations to find new customers and identify who makes the decisions
‘cold call’ to arrange meetings at customers’ premises
find out what an organisation needs and work with a team to plan proposals and pricing
sell products and services to new and existing customers
negotiate with customers and build positive relationships
attend events and conferences
write reports and make presentations to customers and senior management
identify new methods and opportunities for sales campaigns
forecast sales targets and make sure they’re met
run training for business developers and junior sales teams

Working Environment

You could work at a client's business or in an office.

Career Path & Progression

Career Path & Progression are not listed for this job.

Volunteering Opportunities

You could develop useful customer service and marketing skills by volunteering.

Do It has more information on voluntary opportunities in your area.

Tips & Information

Career tips

In some jobs you could travel around the world to meet customers, so it may be helpful to speak a second language.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Institute of Sales Management and The Managing & Marketing Sales Association, for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.