What does a business development manager do?
A business development manager focuses on creating long-term growth opportunities for a company. They research new markets, identify potential clients and build partnerships that align with the company’s goals. While sales teams close current deals, business development managers develop future strategies that expand the company’s reach.
They often analyze market trends, attend industry events and collaborate with internal teams to prepare for new business. By staying informed and proactive, they help the company move into new areas and increase revenue over time.
Business development manager skills and qualifications
Business development managers use a combination of strategic thinking, communication and market analysis to identify and pursue growth opportunities. When writing your job description, focus on practical skills that support long-term planning and relationship building.
Other skills that may be required for the job include:
- Strong verbal and written communication skills to build relationships and share ideas
- Research skills to analyze industries, companies and market opportunities
- Strategic planning ability to develop and execute multi-step growth initiatives
- Confidence in negotiating deals, proposals and partnership terms
- Collaboration skills to align with sales, marketing and executive teams
Business development manager experience requirements
A skills-first approach can help you find strong candidates for a business development manager role. Look for individuals who have experience building relationships, analyzing markets and developing long-term plans to support growth.
Candidates may come from backgrounds in sales, market research or related fields. For example, someone who has identified new customer segments, launched products or developed outreach strategies may have the transferable skills needed to succeed in this role.
Business development manager education and training requirements
Formal education may not be the strongest indicator of success in a business development manager role. Instead, focus on candidates who have a track record of identifying growth opportunities, building partnerships and exploring new markets.
Success in this role often depends on a deep understanding of your company’s products, customers and goals. While a background in business or marketing can be helpful, practical experience in sales, strategy or relationship management is often more valuable.
Business development manager salary expectations
Compensation for a business development manager varies based on experience, company size, location and industry. Find current salary data for business development manager roles on Indeed Salaries.
Job description samples for similar positions
If this business development manager job description doesn’t align with your needs, check out these other job descriptions for similar roles:
*Indeed provides this information as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your recruiting or legal advisor, we are not responsible for the content of your job descriptions, and none of the information provided herein guarantees performance.