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Business Development Manager

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Primary Secondary Post-16

A Business Development Manager is responsible for identifying new business opportunities, building client relationships, and driving company growth. This role usually involves researching market trends, meeting with potential clients, and working closely with marketing and product teams to develop strategies that attract new business. Business Development Managers need strong communication and negotiation skills, as well as the ability to analyse data and spot trends in the marketplace. The job can involve travel and networking, and it offers the chance to have a significant impact on the success of a company. Many BDMs work in sectors such as technology, finance, healthcare, and manufacturing.

Business Development Manager

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📊 Statistics

Average Salary

Business Development Managers in the UK typically earn between £30,000 and £60,000 per year, with experienced professionals in large companies earning up to £80,000 or more.

Job Availability

There are over 20,000 advertised Business Development Manager positions annually across the UK, with strong demand in sectors like technology, finance, and manufacturing.

Career Progression

Many Business Development Managers advance to senior roles such as Head of Business Development or Director of Sales, usually after 5 to 10 years of experience.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Partnerships Manager

Focuses on creating and nurturing business relationships with other companies or organisations to drive growth and strategic opportunities.

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Sales Account Manager

Responsible for managing relationships with specific clients, identifying sales opportunities, and ensuring customer satisfaction to increase revenue.

Market Expansion Specialist

Concentrates on researching and entering new markets, identifying potential customers, and developing strategies to expand the company's reach.

Gain Relevant Education

Complete Secondary Education

Achieve GCSEs or equivalent qualifications, focusing on subjects like English, Maths, and Business Studies.

Strong performance in core subjects is essential for progressing to further education. Business Studies can give you an early understanding of commercial principles and terminology. If your school offers extracurricular business clubs or activities, consider joining to gain additional experience.

Pursue Further or Higher Education

Study for A-levels, BTEC, or an equivalent qualification, ideally in Business, Economics, or a related field. Consider going on to university for a degree in Business Management, Marketing, or a similar area.

A-levels in Business, Economics, or Maths are highly regarded. Many Business Development Managers hold a bachelor’s degree, though some progress with apprenticeships or work experience. University courses often include modules on marketing, economics, sales, and management, which are all relevant for this role.

Develop Skills and Experience

Gain Work Experience

Start with entry-level roles in sales, marketing, or customer service to build core business skills.

You could look for internships, part-time roles, or work placements in sales or customer-facing environments. Skills such as communication, negotiation, and networking are best developed through real-world experience. Volunteering in roles that involve speaking to the public or managing projects can also be beneficial.

Build Professional Skills

Develop essential skills such as business communication, relationship building, negotiation, and market analysis.

You can enhance these skills through on-the-job training, online courses, or professional development workshops. Consider joining organisations like the Institute of Sales Management or attending networking events to learn from experienced professionals and expand your contacts.

Advance Your Career

Move into Business Development Roles

Apply for Business Development Executive or Junior Business Development Manager positions to gain direct experience in the field.

Tailor your CV to highlight your achievements in sales, relationship building, and any successful projects. Be prepared to demonstrate your understanding of business growth strategies during interviews. Many companies offer clear progression paths from junior to senior business development roles.

Continue Professional Growth

Pursue further qualifications, attend industry events, and seek mentorship to stay updated and progress to senior roles.

Consider gaining additional qualifications, such as a Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) qualification or an MBA if you wish to move into senior management. Regularly attending industry conferences and networking with other professionals can help you stay informed about market trends and new opportunities.

🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Business Development Manager. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

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Career Progressions

No career progressions found for

Sample Qualifications

A Business Development Manager and a Business analyst both focus on understanding business needs, analysing data, and identifying opportunities for growth or improvement. While their specific responsibilities differ, both roles require strategic thinking, market analysis, and a strong understanding of business operations.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

University

Any degree that teaches analytical skills can be useful for this role.

Some employers might prefer you to have a degree or postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject such as:

  • business information systems
  • business management
  • computing and systems development
  • computer science

Experience during your degree

You may have an advantage if your degree course lets you get some business experience.

This could be through:

  • internships
  • work placements
  • a year in industry

It may also be useful to get experience of managing projects and analysing data.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

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Apprenticeship

You could gain some of the skills and knowledge needed for this role through an apprenticeship.

For example, you could do the Business Analyst Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship or the Project Manager Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

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Direct Application

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got several years' experience in project management, consulting or IT.

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Career tips

To become a business analyst, it might be useful to know about agile project management or other similar methods.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a business analyst from:

You can also find out about government business analysts in the Civil Service on GOV.UK.

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