Business development manager
Source new clients, build relationships and help businesses grow by identifying opportunities and promoting products or services.
About the job
What it's like
As a business development manager, you'll focus on attracting new businesses or clients in order to develop a successful company.
You'll spend time between researching potential markets or clients, networking at events, preparing proposals or meeting decision-makers.
To work as a business development manager, you must be confident and proactive. This'll help you build trust and open doors to long-term partnerships.
Your tasks might include:
identifying new leads and business opportunities through research and market insight
contacting potential clients by phone, email or in person to start conversations about how you can help them
building and maintaining strong relationships with current and potential clients
Pitching products or services, tailoring proposals and negotiating agreements
keeping up to date with competitors, industry trends and customer needs
attending networking events, conferences and meetings to represent your organisation and grow your contact base
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
The Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) – find details of a wide range of relevant business and leadership qualifications and apprenticeships.
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Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Business development manager'
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Related industries
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Retail -
Transport -
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Financial and professional services -
Digital technologies -
Agriculture, forestry and fishing
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- time management
- taking initiative
- developing a plan
- attention to detail
- researching
- creative
- written communication
- verbal communication
- building relationships
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Business
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Business Management
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Foundation Apprenticeship: Business Skills
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
There are a few ways you can become a business development manager.
University
A degree may be helpful for getting into this job. You could study subjects, such as:
Business Studies
Business Management
Marketing
Use the My World of Work course search to find degrees.
College
Getting qualifications at college, such as an HNC or HND, could help you find a job or progress to more advanced study. Useful subjects include:
Business
Business Skills
Marketing
Project Management
Apprenticeship
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time. You might want to consider an MA in areas such as:
Graduate Apprenticeships (GAs) are designed for industry. You'll spend most of your time learning on the job but you'll also go to uni. You'll have a job, get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time.
You might want to consider a GA in Business Management.
Work
You can become a business development manager through applying directly with an employer or getting an entry-level job and working your way up. Some people move into this line of work after spending time in marketing or sales.
You can use the My World of Work job search to look for vacancies.
Getting work experience in a relevant, business-related role can help you become a business development manager. Search for opportunities on Volunteer Scotland.
Find the right course for you
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Business development manager'
