Lots of companies have a business development director, including yours. And there are business development director openings on the job board. Yet you’re not sure what the position entails or if it’s the right job or ambition for you. Well, wonder no more.
We asked a couple of business development directors to tell you all about the job. Check out what they had to say, and consider taking a chance on a profession that’s all about creating opportunity.
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What exactly does a business development director do?
Whether the job is in television, tech, or digital media, a business development director is responsible for driving a company’s growth and increasing its revenue, identifying and developing new business opportunities, and building and expanding the presence of the company and its brands.
The role also involves leading sales and client-relationship management, tracking new markets and emerging trends, recommending new products and services, proposing and developing new strategic partnerships, writing proposals and plans, and guiding long-term objectives to meet business needs and requirements.
“It’s an all-encompassing role,” says Sajeel Qureshi, VP of business development at Computan, a marketing support organization with offices in Canada and the United States. Qureshi manages a sales team, oversees marketing campaigns to generate leads, earns media placement to position the company as an expert in its discipline, and allocates and manages the sponsorship and pro-bono budgets.
What skills do you need?
Persistence, knowledge of the product or service you’re selling, and communication skills are essential — and all equally important, says Tim Drudge, brand and business development manager at St. Vincent Sports Performance in Indiana. “Without one of those skills, the others fail.”
Qureshi emphasizes the importance of communication skills in particular. A business development director is one of the first points of contact someone has with the company, so it’s vitally important to be able to explain what the company does and how it can help in simple, digestible terms — whether in person or via email.
You should also understand how to use technology to stay ahead of competitors. Knowing what software and automation platforms are available in your industry — and picking the ones that best fit your organization — is a must.
Who is a business development director’s boss?
This depends on the size of a company and its setup, though most business development directors report to a vice president or to the owners.
What do you need to get ahead in this position?
People skills. That means effectively communicating with customers and building real relationships. Verbal communication is a lost art, says Drudge. “Not only does it lead to clear expectations, but it builds a longstanding relationship — and revenue — that can be counted upon year after year.”
Strong networking skills matter just as much. The ability to connect with new contacts, stay top of mind with clients, and open doors through relationships is what separates good business development professionals from great ones.
How can you break into this field?
The career ladder to this position usually starts with an entry-level job in sales or marketing. You don’t need a degree in a specific area before starting your climb, says Drudge, so long as you have top-notch people skills and a genuine passion for the products and services you’ll be selling.
It also helps to keep your LinkedIn profile sharp and stay visible in your industry. Business development is a relationship-driven field, and the connections you build early in your career are often the ones that open the biggest doors later on.
