Business Development Manager job description: Duties, skills and responsibilities

Hiring the right Business Development Manager is key to driving your company’s growth and success. These professionals excel at identifying opportunities, building relationships and closing deals that align with strategic goals. 

Below is a detailed guide to crafting a job description that will attract skilled candidates ready to contribute to your organisation’s long-term success.

Business Development Manager job duties and responsibilities

Business Development Managers are strategic thinkers who help companies grow by identifying opportunities, forming partnerships and nurturing client relationships. Their role requires a balance of analytical skill, relationship-building ability and persistence.

Here are a list of key job duties and responsibilities for a Business Development Manager: 

• Strategic growth planning
  • Identify new markets, potential partnerships and opportunities for revenue generation.
  • Develop and implement market expansion strategies to align with business objectives.
  • Monitor industry trends to identify opportunities that drive competitive advantage.
• Client acquisition and relationship management
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders and clients.
  • Conduct client meetings, presentations and negotiations to secure new contracts.
  • Ensure high levels of client satisfaction to encourage repeat business and referrals.
• Partnerships and collaboration
  • Establish mutually beneficial partnerships with other businesses to enhance market positioning.
  • Collaborate with internal teams, such as marketing or product development, to support growth initiatives.
  • Act as the primary point of contact between the business and its partners to ensure alignment on goals.
• Performance monitoring and reporting 
  • Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate the effectiveness of growth strategies.
  • Submit regular reports detailing business pipeline progress, client feedback and partnership development.
  • Use data to refine approaches and improve overall business performance.
• Budget control 
  • Manage allocated budgets for business development activities effectively to optimise ROI.
  • Forecast revenue growth and cost management as part of long-term planning.

A successful Business Development Manager balances strategy with execution, bringing measurable success to the organisation.

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What should be included in a Business Development Manager job description?

To create a compelling job description, include the following critical components:

• Role summary: Outline the scope of the position and its importance in achieving organisational growth.
• Core responsibilities: Clearly present expectations, such as client acquisition, partnership building and strategy development.
• Key skills: Highlight critical abilities, including negotiation, stakeholder management and market analysis.
• Qualifications: Specify educational or professional requirements, such as degrees or certifications.
• Work environment insights: Give applicants an understanding of your company’s culture or job structure, such as travel requirements or remote work opportunities.
• Clear call-to-action: Provide details on how to apply, submission deadlines and required materials.

Clear and relevant job descriptions not only attract top talent but also align candidate expectations with business goals.

Example of a job description

We are seeking an experienced and driven Business Development Manager to join our team and spearhead growth initiatives. The successful candidate will have a proven track record in building partnerships, developing strategies and creating long-term value for stakeholders.

Key responsibilities:

• Identify, develop and secure new business opportunities in line with company goals.
• Create and deliver presentations that communicate value to potential stakeholders or partners.
• Establish strong client relationships to drive revenue and encourage retention.
• Collaborate with internal teams to design solutions tailored to client needs.
• Develop sales strategies supported by market research and detailed financial forecasting.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in business development or sales management roles.
• Excellent negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Familiarity with CRM systems and data analysis tools.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and target-driven environment.

Work environment:

• Hybrid work arrangement with flexibility for travel to meet clients or partners.
• Performance incentives based on reaching or exceeding growth targets.

If you are passionate about building meaningful relationships and driving measurable success, apply today to join our team.

What is the best way to screen candidates?

Evaluating Business Development Manager candidates involves assessing their technical, interpersonal and strategic abilities. Use the following tactics:

• Resume screening: Look for roles that demonstrate experience in high-growth environments, market analysis and strategic partnerships. Confirm technological proficiency, particularly with CRM and analytics tools.
• Skill assessments: Provide scenarios that test skills like negotiation, budget planning and growth strategy development. Evaluate their ability to conduct competitor analysis and present actionable recommendations.
• Scenario-based questions: Ask how they’ve achieved significant revenue targets or addressed difficult challenges, such as retaining key clients. Request examples where they facilitated successful partnerships or market expansion initiatives.
• Soft skill evaluations: Pay attention to how candidates communicate during interviews. Strong relationship skills are essential for success in this role. Ensure candidates align with the organisational culture, particularly regarding teamwork and adaptability.

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What skills should a Business Development Manager have?

Success as a Business Development Manager comes from combining strategic thinking, interpersonal skills, and a relentless focus on results. Skills for this role may include: 

• Core skills 
  • Sales and negotiation: Proven ability to close deals and create value-driven agreements.
  • Market analysis: Expertise in identifying opportunities through thorough research and forecasting.
  • CRM proficiency: Familiarity with Salesforce, HubSpot or other CRM platforms to track and optimise lead management.
• Soft skills 
  • Leadership: Coach and motivate internal teams while providing strategic guidance.
  • Clear communication: Ability to engage stakeholders with compelling pitches and well-crafted proposals.
  • Time management: Adept at balancing competing priorities without compromising on quality or deadlines.

Tailor this skill list to reflect industry-specific requirements or technologies.

What qualifications should a Business Development Manager have?

While practical experience is highly valued, some formal qualifications often help candidates stand out:

• Education: A degree in Business, Economics or Marketing is often an essential criterion.
• Professional certifications: Credentials such as certified sales training or postgraduate accreditations in business management.
• Experience: Previous success in achieving revenue growth over 5+ years in business development or sales roles.

Defining clear qualification criteria ensures candidates understand your expectations, leading to the submission of highly relevant applications. 

Found a candidate and ready to make an offer? Download our Employment Offer Letter Template to streamline the process. 

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For small businesses, hiring can feel like a full-time job on top of everything else. Sorting through irrelevant applications. Chasing down resumes. Coordinating interviews across packed calendars. When the right person finally comes along, you need to be ready. The best candidates aren’t on the market for long, and drawn-out processes can mean missing out altogether.

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