What does a Business Development Executive do?
Business Development Executives typically oversee new ideas for company growth. They use their knowledge of the industry, sales and business in general to look for new leads, expansion opportunities, business partnerships and other methods of growing the organization and increasing revenue. Business Development Executives act as representatives of the company as they network and build relationships with other professionals.
It’s also the job of the Business Development Executive to oversee other people in the department. In a large business development department, the Executive often handles the long-term strategic aspect while Business Developers, Sales People and other team members perform the day-to-day activities that help expand the company. This position can help your company grow faster than it would otherwise, which can lead to greater brand recognition and increased revenue.
Business Development Executive skills and qualifications
It’s common for companies to expect a variety of key skills and qualifications from candidates for Business Development Executive positions. These skills might include:
- Proven success in B2B sales or lead generation, especially in high-value or consultative selling environments
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to deliver persuasive pitches and executive-level presentations
- Experience building and managing client relationships, including contract negotiation and stakeholder engagement
- Ability to analyze market trends, identify growth opportunities and translate business intelligence into action
- Comfort with various technologies, including CRM systems, sales intelligence tools and project management systems
- High emotional intelligence to develop strong relationships with potential clients or partners
- Sales training and coaching skills used to mentor the business development team
- Business intelligence skills to analyze the market trends, industry and competition
Business Development Executive experience requirements
Business Development Executives often have experience in sales or a related field. Successful candidates might work their way up in the business development department, working as a Business Developer, Partnership Manager, Relationship Manager or Business Development Representative.
It’s also generally helpful to find applicants with industry-specific experience. For example, the financial sector has many regulations, so a candidate who understands those areas can legally perform the activities.
Business Development Executive education and training requirements
Because Business Development Executives generally rely on practical sales, communication and analytical skills, there’s no single educational path required. Instead of relying solely on formal credentials, you might use a skills-first hiring strategy and look for candidates with transferable experience from roles like account management, marketing or sales operations.
Some candidates might also list certifications on their resumes in relevant areas. This includes the Certified Business Development Professional certification from the American Institute of Business and Management.
Business Development Executive salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Business Development Executive is $75,788 per year. Exact salaries vary based on the location, company, industry and candidate qualifications.
Business Development Executive salary expectations
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Common salary:
77740.76 YEARLY -
Typical salaries range from
14000.00 -196000.00 YEARLY - Find more information on Indeed Salaries
*Indeed data –
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Business Development Executive job description FAQs
What is the difference between a Business Development Executive and a Marketing Executive?
While the efforts of both positions can help your organization increase revenue, they do so in different ways. Business Development Executives work on bringing new business opportunities, such as partnerships or expansions into new markets, to the company. They spend most of their time researching the options and building relationships to make them a reality.
Marketing Executives focus on promoting the existing products and services of the company and maintaining positive branding for the company. They oversee other marketing professionals who develop the marketing collateral and campaigns.
What makes a good Business Development Executive?
A good Business Development Executive often has the ability to lead or has developed strong leadership skills. They tend to be strategic thinkers who understand sales principles well. They’re able to think critically about situations and use research and business knowledge to make practical decisions that help the company succeed.
What are the daily duties of a Business Development Executive?
On a typical day, a Business Development Executive starts by reviewing messages and meeting with other leaders in the business development department to help prioritize the day’s activities. They might review sales numbers, budgeting reports and industry analysis to also help.
Throughout the day, the Business Development Executive may be involved in several meetings with the team, other company executives and potential clients. Some days, the Business Development Executive might work off-site when meeting with individuals or companies about new opportunities.
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