Business Development Manager (BDM)

As a business development manager, you should be customer-obsessed and should have strong communication and leadership skill, as well the ability to manage a diverse team in a involving industry landscape

• Research and identify new business opportunities - including new markets, growth areas, trends, customers, partnerships, products and services - or new ways of reaching existing markets
• Seek out the appropriate contact in an organisation
• Generate leads and cold call prospective customers
• Meet with customers/clients face to face or over the phone
• Foster and develop relationships with customers/clients
• Understand the needs of your customers and be able to respond effectively with a plan of how to meet these
• Think strategically - seeing the bigger picture and setting aims and objectives in order to develop and improve the business
• Work strategically - carrying out necessary planning in order to implement operational changes
• Draw up client contracts - depending on the size of company, this task may be completed by someone else or agreements may not be as formal
• Have a good understanding of the businesses products or services and be able to advise others about them
• Ensure staff are on board throughout the organisation, and understand the need for change and what is required of them
• Train members of your team, arranging external training where appropriate
• Discuss promotional strategy and activities with the marketing department
• Liaise with the finance team, warehousing and logistics departments as appropriate
• Seek ways of improving the way the business operates
• Attend seminars, conferences and events where appropriate
• Keep abreast of trends and changes in the business world.

Desired Candidate Profile

• Youll work in an office environment, but will frequently travel for face-to-face meetings with customers and other business partners.
• It can be challenging trying to create new business opportunities, in addition to the constant pressure of meeting or exceeding targets. However, business development is quite a creative role and can be very satisfying.
• You may have the responsibility of managing a team and their output.
• Youll be expected to dress smartly, especially for meetings, though slightly more relaxed business casual attire may be acceptable at other times.
• Depending on the type of business, overnight travel will be required.

Education

PG: MBA/PGDM in Marketing, Systems, Operations