Jobs .. Economy and Business .. Business Development Manager

Nature of work

A business development manager helps companies to expand their business by reaching out to new customers and developing new plans and strategies to help each department run more effectively. He/she usually handle the following tasks:

He/she is responsible for conducting research on the specific roles of each department, product development, and product distribution.

He/she typically works with the marketing and sales departments to analyze which strategies are the most effective, which strategies need to be improved, and what new strategies can be implemented to help the business run smoother.

 The development manager will also use new and traditional media to keep the company up to date on the most effective means of communication and technology.

A business development manager is responsible for leading a business development team within a company as well as having overall responsibility for business growth. This is done by developing customer awareness of the business’s products and services and identifying new business partners and customers.

Developing strategic ideas or proposals to make a company successful and increase revenue, is the job of a business development manager. His/ her responsibilities include acquiring an extensive comprehension of present market trends and developments, networking with clients, conducting presentations of new proposals, negotiating and making deals.

A developer often works along with the IT department to determine different technology that could benefit a company as well as teaching members of different departments how to use it.

 

Environment of work

A business development manager usually works in the office of any business he/she has a contract with.  A developer rarely works alone and almost always communicates with business owners or conducts meetings with different departments within a business. Since most business development managers work with several different companies, they do not have one specific office to visit regularly.

 

Professional life

Many business developers start off by working alongside an experienced manager as a form of internship experience immediately after college. A business development manager starts out working contractually and for several different companies in order to gain experience and a good reputation, but after a while he/she can be hired in at one specific place to make sure his/her operations are running smoothly at all times. Employment is rapidly growing for business development managers.

Career development into information technology consultant or contractual business development managers for specific companies is also on the rise. A business development manager builds his reputation and portfolio by staying up to date with the latest technology and tactics used in business. Account and sales managers usually progress to being business development managers. Business development managers then advance to marketing director, vice president of business development and business development director, positions.

 Range of typical starting salaries: 35000 SYP plus potential bonuses.

 

Getting the job

A Bachelor’s degree is usually essential as well as a good understanding of the company’s product or service and its associated markets. A high level of proficiency with relevant computer applications is also important for this position.it is helpful for a candidate to have a Master’s degree in business, economics or another closely related field.  Successful applicants will require an excellent track record of sales ability combined with managerial experience in addition to knowledge in variety of business plans and case studies. Being able to execute expansion tactics and meeting fiscal targets help a business to grow and become successful.

Skills

A business development manager should be self-motivated and enthusiastic.  He /she needs strong leadership skills and should be able to manage and motivate a wide range of people so that the sales team hits its targets.  He/she should be able to quickly priorities jobs under pressure and be able to anticipate the changing needs of customers and clients.

A working knowledge of national and international copyright law is essential. Foreign language skills can also prove very useful as the image of organization business becomes increasingly international. A business development manager should show evidence of the following skills: 

Ability to communicate effectively – oral and written. 

Excellent methodical, tactical, and sales skills.

 Negotiation skills.

Superior interpersonal skills.

Networking skills.

The ability to produce presentations and business proposals is also an essential skill.

 

Sources and references

If  a candidate needs any further information on what is included in this file, you can visit the following websites:

www.theiiba.org , International Institute of Business Analysis

Arab Standard Classification of Occupations, 2008, Ed. Arab Labor Organization.

Summary


A business development manager works in a senior sales position. It is his/her job to work with the sales team and other managers to increase sales opportunities and thereby maximize revenue for his/her organization. To achieve this, he/she needs to find potential new customers, present to them and ultimately create accounts with them that will continue to grow business in the future. He/she is often being required to make presentations on products and services that meet or predict the clients' future needs.