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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 relationships with potential clients, and driving company growth. This role involves researching market trends, developing sales strategies, and working closely with other departments such as marketing and product development. Business Development Managers often attend meetings, networking events, and industry conferences to connect with potential partners and customers. They also negotiate contracts and help set sales targets, making their work essential for companies looking to expand their reach and increase revenue.

Business Development Manager

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📊 Statistics

Average Salary

The average salary for a Business Development Manager in the UK is between £35,000 and £60,000 per year, with experienced professionals in larger companies earning upwards of £70,000.

Number of Positions

There were over 18,000 job postings for Business Development Managers in the UK in 2023, reflecting strong demand across various industries.

Top Industries

The most common industries hiring Business Development Managers in the UK include technology, finance, manufacturing, and professional services.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Partnerships Manager

Focuses on building and maintaining relationships with other organisations to create new business opportunities and collaborative ventures.

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Sales Account Manager

Works closely with clients to understand their needs, manage accounts, and grow business sales within specific markets or sectors.

Market Research Analyst

Gathers and analyses information about competitors and potential markets to help businesses develop new strategies and grow effectively.

Achieve Relevant Education

Complete Secondary Education

Obtain good GCSE results, especially in English and Maths, as these are essential for most business courses.

Strong GCSEs are important for progressing on to further education and apprenticeships. Subjects such as Business Studies or Economics can give you valuable insight into the business world, but are not essential.

Pursue Further Education

Consider studying A-levels, BTECs, or a business-related apprenticeship to deepen your understanding of business concepts.

A-levels in subjects like Business, Economics, or Maths, or a Level 3 BTEC in Business, can be very helpful. Alternatively, a business administration or sales apprenticeship provides practical experience alongside study.

Obtain a Degree or Equivalent Experience

Study for a degree in Business, Marketing, Management, or a related field, or gain equivalent experience through work.

A university degree is not always required, but many employers prefer candidates with a degree or significant industry experience. Courses in business management, marketing, or finance are most relevant. Work placements, internships, or junior roles in sales or business are valuable alternatives.

Gain Practical Experience

Start in an Entry Level Role

Work in sales, marketing, or customer service roles to build practical business skills and industry knowledge.

Entry-level positions such as Sales Assistant, Marketing Assistant, or Account Executive offer exposure to business operations and client management. These roles help you develop communication, negotiation, and organisational skills essential for business development.

Develop Networking Skills

Attend industry events, join professional organisations, and connect with business professionals.

Building a network is crucial for business development. Attend trade shows, business seminars, or online networking events to meet potential clients and mentors. LinkedIn is a valuable tool for maintaining professional connections.

Take on More Responsibility

Progress to roles with greater responsibility, such as Sales Executive, Account Manager, or Junior Business Development Executive.

Seek opportunities to manage client accounts, lead projects, or contribute to new business proposals. Demonstrating your ability to win new business and manage relationships will help you move up the career ladder.

Advance to Business Development Manager

Apply for Business Development Manager Positions

Use your experience and network to secure a Business Development Manager role.

Tailor your CV to highlight achievements in sales, client acquisition, and revenue growth. Prepare examples that demonstrate your strategic thinking, leadership, and relationship management skills.

Continue Professional Development

Stay updated on industry trends and consider professional qualifications such as the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) or Institute of Sales Management (ISM).

Continual learning helps you stay competitive and may be required for progression to more senior roles. Short courses, workshops, or industry certifications can expand your knowledge and abilities.

Aim for Senior Leadership Roles

With experience, progress to senior roles such as Head of Business Development, Sales Director, or even Chief Commercial Officer.

Demonstrating strong leadership, strategic vision, and consistent business growth can open opportunities for senior management positions. Mentoring junior staff and leading larger teams can also aid your advancement.

🎯 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 require strong analytical skills, a good understanding of business processes, and the ability to identify growth opportunities. Their roles often involve strategic planning, market research, and liaising with different parts of the organisation to improve business performance.

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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