What Does a Business Development Manager Do?
A business development manager (BDM) is responsible for identifying new business opportunities, fostering relationships with potential clients, and driving revenue growth for their organization. They analyze market trends, create strategies to penetrate new markets, and collaborate closely with sales, marketing, and leadership teams to meet business goals. Their work helps position the company competitively in the market and ensures sustainable growth.
BDMs play a pivotal role in expanding the company’s client base and boosting profitability. They may engage in cold outreach, attend industry events, negotiate contracts, and develop customized proposals to win new business. This role demands a strong mix of strategic thinking, relationship-building skills, and data-driven decision-making.
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Business Development Manager Core Responsibilities
- Generate and qualify new leads to drive business growth
- Develop and maintain relationships with prospective and current clients
- Conduct market research to identify emerging opportunities and competitor activity
- Collaborate with internal teams to tailor services and solutions to client needs
- Lead sales presentations, pitches, and proposal development
- Negotiate contract terms and pricing agreements
- Track pipeline activity and manage client data using CRM platforms
- Monitor KPIs and report on business development performance
- Attend networking events, trade shows, and industry conferences
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proficiency in CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Market analysis and lead generation techniques
- Proposal writing and contract negotiation
- Familiarity with sales forecasting and performance metrics
- Strong presentation and report development skills
Soft skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving
- High emotional intelligence and adaptability
- Negotiation and persuasive selling
- Time management and multitasking under pressure
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, communications, or a related field
Certifications
- Certifications are not typically required, but may include:
- Certified Business Development Expert (CBDE)
- Certified Professional in Sales Management (CPSM)
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in business administration (MBA) or related field
- Experience in enterprise or B2B sales
- Industry-specific knowledge (e.g., SaaS, healthcare, logistics)
- Proven success in long sales cycles or high-ticket client acquisition
- Familiarity with account-based marketing (ABM) strategies
National Average Salary
Business development manager salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Business Development Manager is:
$89,675
Sample Job Description Templates for Business Development Managers
Technology/Software BDM
Position Overview
The Technology/Software Business Development Manager drives revenue growth by identifying and securing new opportunities within the tech and SaaS landscape. This role requires a strategic thinker with deep industry knowledge and a passion for innovative solutions.
Business Development Manager Responsibilities
- Develop relationships with decision-makers in tech, SaaS, or digital service companies
- Understand client technical requirements and align offerings accordingly
- Lead product demos, proposal development, and pricing strategy
- Track pipeline activity through CRM and maintain up-to-date opportunity records
- Attend tech expos, conferences, and developer meetups for lead generation
Business Development Manager Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency in SaaS sales cycles, demos, and product trials
- CRM tools like Salesforce or Pipedrive
- Familiarity with cloud computing, APIs, and agile methodologies
Soft skills
- Strong consultative selling ability
- Confidence in explaining technical products to non-technical buyers
- Adaptability in fast-evolving tech landscapes
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in information systems, business, or a related field
Healthcare BDM
Position Overview
The Healthcare Business Development Manager focuses on growing business relationships in hospitals, clinics, and payer organizations. The role demands a strong understanding of healthcare regulations and a strategic approach to sales and partnerships.
Business Development Manager Responsibilities
- Identify new healthcare business prospects across providers and systems
- Build proposals tailored to clinical, administrative, and financial stakeholders
- Navigate procurement processes and healthcare RFPs
- Ensure compliance with HIPAA and other regulations
- Attend health expos and network with medical industry professionals
Business Development Manager Requirements
Hard skills
- Understanding of EHR systems, health IT, and payer/provider structures
- Proficiency in healthcare CRM platforms (e.g., Veeva, Salesforce Health Cloud)
Soft skills
- Empathy and listening skills when engaging healthcare professionals
- Ability to translate technical features into clinical or operational benefits
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, public health, or a related field
Logistics & Supply Chain BDM
Position Overview
This BDM identifies new business in the logistics, transportation, and warehousing sectors. The role is focused on improving client supply chain efficiency and building long-term partnerships.
Business Development Manager Responsibilities
- Develop leads within 3PLs, shipping carriers, and warehousing clients
- Propose logistics solutions that streamline supply chain operations
- Manage pricing strategies for freight, storage, and transport services
- Collaborate with internal logistics and procurement teams
- Attend logistics trade shows and networking events
Business Development Manager Requirements
Hard skills
- Knowledge of TMS/WMS software
- Understanding of import/export, freight brokerage, and routing logistics
Soft skills
- Relationship-building with operations-heavy teams
- Clear communication under time-sensitive conditions
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s in supply chain management, logistics, or business
Financial Services BDM
Position Overview
The Financial Services BDM seeks new client relationships in banking, insurance, or investment sectors. The role combines industry expertise with a strong sales acumen to grow financial partnerships.
Business Development Manager Responsibilities
- Generate leads within financial institutions and fintech firms
- Present financial products or consulting solutions tailored to client goals
- Maintain awareness of regulations and compliance in finance
- Coordinate with legal and product teams to align solutions
- Represent the company at finance industry events
Business Development Manager Requirements
Hard skills
- Knowledge of FINRA/SEC regulations, CRM software, and financial modeling
- Experience with wealth management, insurance, or fintech platforms
Soft skills
- Persuasive communication with high-net-worth individuals or institutions
- Confidentiality and integrity in financial dealings
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s in finance, economics, or business
Staffing & Recruiting BDM
Position Overview
This BDM specializes in building client partnerships in staffing, workforce solutions, and recruitment. They understand the hiring lifecycle and provide solutions that match client hiring needs.
Business Development Manager Responsibilities
- Develop relationships with HR and hiring managers at target companies
- Propose staffing solutions: contract, direct hire, RPO, and more
- Collaborate with recruiters to align client needs with candidate pipelines
- Track placement success metrics and client feedback
- Attend HR and recruiting conferences
Business Development Manager Requirements
Hard skills
- Familiarity with ATS platforms, hiring trends, and labor market data
- Experience presenting recruiting ROI and labor cost benefits
Soft skills
- Relationship-first approach to long-term staffing partnerships
- Problem-solving and adaptability to hiring urgency
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s in HR, business, or a related field
Manufacturing BDM
Position Overview
The Manufacturing BDM secures partnerships with industrial and OEM clients. They provide consultative sales around production capacity, procurement needs, and operational efficiency.
Business Development Manager Responsibilities
- Target manufacturers needing staffing, procurement, or logistics support
- Propose B2B solutions tailored to industrial timelines and specs
- Monitor manufacturing cycles to optimize delivery timing and service
- Attend industrial expos and collaborate with plant operations teams
Business Development Manager Requirements
Hard skills
- Knowledge of industrial procurement, BOMs, and production workflows
- Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems
Soft skills
- Strong field presence and technical selling capability
- Persistence in long sales cycles is common in industrial settings
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s in industrial engineering, manufacturing management, or business