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Business Developer Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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A Business Developer, or Business Development Specialist, helps companies grow by sourcing new business opportunities. Duties you might want to list in a Business Developer job description include identifying opportunities for the company, managing relationships with potential partners and creating business strategies.

Business Developer duties and responsibilities

An individual in business formal attire shaking hands with another individual holding a tablet.Text reads: "A day in the life of a business developer:Identify & research potential clients,Negotiate contract terms with clients,Develop & maintain client relationships,Give presentations to prospective clients"

Business Developers often work extensively with company leadership and contacts from other companies. This relationship-building can help the organization identify new opportunities and find beneficial partnerships.

Business Developer duties and responsibilities may include:

  • Researching competitors and industry trends, such as sustainable practices
  • Building long-lasting relationships with partners, collaborators and other businesses
  • Giving presentations on project or collaboration ideas to potential clients or partner businesses
  • Generating new business leads through networking, outreach and referrals
  • Negotiating contract terms for new business deals
  • Developing strategic plans to enter new markets or boost sales
  • Collecting and analyzing data about the business development activities
  • Collaborate with internal teams (e.g., marketing, product) to support business growth

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Business Developer Job Description Examples

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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What does a Business Developer do?

Business Developers typically work for corporations in all industries to help achieve business goals and expand operations. They often use sales and business expertise to develop ideas that align with the company’s goals and values.

A Business Developer can help your business grow by identifying and pursuing new opportunities. The job involves researching the industry and other companies to identify new markets, potential partnerships and growth opportunities.

Business Developers often create proposals and present them to other businesses or clients to help close deals. They’re also heavily involved in developing the details of those contracts.

Business Developer skills and qualifications

Business Developers should be strategic and analytical to effectively identify opportunities that suit the company’s needs. Communication is also essential, as the role involves interacting with various collaborators and clients.

To be successful, candidates typically have several prerequisite skills and qualifications, which may include:

  • Experience in B2B sales, particularly in complex or long-cycle sales environments
  • Familiarity with industry-specific processes, such as logistics and supply chain management
  • Technical proficiency in software programs, including CRM software
  • Working knowledge of project management methodologies such as Agile, Scrum or Kanban, especially in cross-functional settings
  • Ability to gather and interpret business intelligence, and use data to identify trends, assess competitors and support decision-making
  • Strong negotiation and persuasion skills to convert leads into long-term business partnerships
  • Strategic mindset with the ability to align new opportunities with broader business objectives and market positioning

Business Developer experience requirements

Business Developers often come from a sales background, as forming new business deals requires many of the same skills. Successful candidates might also have experience in project management, industrial technology or supply chain management.

Additionally, it’s helpful to look for candidates with experience in your industry or a similar field to ensure they understand any special regulations, processes or expectations your company deals with.

Business Developer education and training requirements

There are no strict degree requirements for Business Developer roles. Skills-first hiring can be an effective way to identify candidates with relevant business development skills.

Certifications are also not required, but some applicants may have additional credentials relevant to the role. This could include the Certified Business Development Expert designation from the Accredited Certification Institute or a Certified Business Analysis Professional credential from the International Institute of Business Analysis.

Business Developer salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Business Developer is $74,814 per year. However, the exact salary can vary based on several factors, including the job location, level of experience, industry, educational background, and the size and type of company.

Business Developer salary expectations

2025-10-0119000.0076179.21171000.00YEARLY
  • Common salary: 76179.21 YEARLY
  • Typical salaries range from 19000.00 - 171000.00 YEARLY
  • Find more information on Indeed Salaries

*Indeed data – 2025-10-01

Job description samples for similar positions

If a Business Developer job description isn’t what you’re looking for, consider these similar roles:

Business Developer job description FAQs

What is the difference between a Business Developer and a Business Analyst?

These two roles support a corporation’s success but focus on different areas. Business Developers aim to bring in new business and increase revenue. Business Analysts work to improve company operations and increase productivity.

At a software company, a Business Developer might pursue leads to sign new clients, while a Business Analyst might suggest implementing automated software testing or improving the bug reporting process.

Who does a Business Developer report to?

A Business Developer usually reports to an executive team member, although this can vary based on the company’s size. In larger corporations, they might be overseen by the Head of Business Development or Vice President of Business Development. If that position doesn’t exist, they might report directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or Chief Operating Officer (COO).

What qualities make a good Business Developer?

An effective Business Developer typically has an innovative mindset, allowing them to generate unique ideas for business growth. They are often experts in their industry and stay current on trends to help create successful proposals. Effective communication skills and emotional intelligence can also help a Business Developer build strong, lasting relationships with clients and business partners.

Job Description Best Practices
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Job Description Examples

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