Occupation

Business development manager

Business development managers find and win new commercial opportunities: new clients, new markets, or new lines of work. The role mixes research and outreach with proposal writing, negotiation, and long relationship-building. Results are measured against targets, and much of the pipeline will not convert.

Also known as: BDM · New business manager · Commercial development manager

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Occupation content

Part of Business, consulting and entrepreneurship

A visual day in the work

What the work involves

  1. Research target markets and organisations to identify realistic opportunities

  2. Approach prospects, qualify their needs, and decide which are worth pursuing

  3. Prepare proposals, tenders, and pricing with input from delivery and finance teams

  4. Negotiate terms and hand won work over to the team that will deliver it

  5. Maintain accurate pipeline records and forecast honestly to management

  6. Attend industry events and maintain relationships that mature over long periods

Entry-route stepper

How people commonly enter

  1. Progression from a sales, account management, or delivery role in the same sector

  2. A bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a sector-relevant technical discipline

  3. A college diploma in business combined with a strong commercial track record

  4. On-the-job development within a structured sales or commercial training programme

Typical training: Bachelor's degree

Licensing: Not typically licensed

Work-context map

Typical work context

  • Public facing
  • Involves travel
  • Client sites
  • Fast paced
  • Remote capable

Public facing · Involves travel · Client sites · Fast paced · Remote capable

Related interests

  • Enterprising (leading)
  • Social (helping)
  • Conventional (organizing)

Enterprising (leading) · Social (helping) · Conventional (organizing)

Related aptitude preparation

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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)

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