Job profile
Business Development Manager (m/f/d)
The Business Development Manager (BDM) has a versatile, challenging and at the same time very exciting position in companies. As (international) competition is intensifying in many companies, Business Development Managers are looking for new markets and opportunities. They are also involved in the further development of existing business areas in management. In order to find suitable solutions, the Business Development Manager makes use of comprehensive market analyses.
What tasks await you in Business Development and what salary can you expect? We answer these questions and many more in this job profile.
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What is a Business Development Manager? Develop your business areas further
Business development managers are individuals who develop and implement strategies to promote the growth and profitability of a company.
They identify new business opportunities, make important contacts and improve existing services or products. In this way, they make their company future-proof in times of globalization.
Business Development Managers - often also called Company Development Managers - are therefore sought-after specialists and occupy a key position in the company. They act as a highly communicative interface between customers and management and often climb steeply up the career ladder in the course of their work. In smaller companies and start-ups, managers and managing directors are usually responsible for business development.
The balancing act between customer needs, competition, future trends and market development makes the job of Business Development Manager unique and varied.
BD managers are not limited to a specific industry. Above all, this profession is in demand in companies that want to serve future technology trends and actively drive innovation. Your own specialist knowledge should therefore ideally match the company sector.
Companies are often looking for people from the fields of natural sciences, IT, mechanical engineering, telecommunications, the pharmaceutical industry or biotechnology. An academic background is therefore a good basis for a career as a Business Development Manager - although career changers also have good prospects.
Business Development Manager average salary: a comprehensive overview
With a job as a BDM, your salary is usually above the German average.
It is not possible to put an exact figure on the salary range of a Business Development Manager. Various aspects such as company size, industry, location and the professional experience you bring with you are decisive.
Therefore, the more relevant your professional experience in a particular sector and the larger the company, the more you will earn.
On average, Business Development Managers across Germany earn a gross annual salary of around €74,000.
You earn best as a BDM in the financial sector.
Junior Business Development Manager average salary: This is your starting salary as a Business Development Manager
Senior Business Development Manager salary: your earnings as a BD Manager
Business Development Manager tasks: What does a Business Development Manager do?
Analyzing the current situation, identifying new potential, developing new corporate strategies: These three core elements make up the majority of the Business Development Manager's tasks.
A flair for trends and far-reaching communication skills make this person a key figure in companies and organizations in all sectors.
Your goal as a Business Development Manager is to boost business and to do this you need to increase sales. Therefore, your tasks also include sales talks with customers - especially in sales-oriented Business Development.
Based on data and in-depth analyses, BDM recognizes the potential of other (internationally active) companies in the industry in the area of controlling and at the same time keeps an eye on the performance of external specialists and its own employees.
In addition, he establishes initial contacts with potential client companies in order to stimulate joint innovations at an early stage. Empathy, networking and communication skills are therefore particularly in demand in the soft skills area.
New customer acquisition: BD managers identify potential new customers who could be of interest to the company. They build relationships with these customers in order to win them over and retain them in the long term. Together with them, they develop strategies to make the product or service even better.
Product Development: Business Development Managers work closely with the product teams to improve existing products and develop new products tailored to customer needs. They use market analysis and customer feedback to ensure that the company's products remain competitive.
Opening up new markets: BDMs analyze new market opportunities and develop strategies to tap into them. This may involve expanding into new geographical areas, entering new industries or adapting products or services to new customer segments.
Junior Business Development Manager Tasks: What you do as a career starter
Junior Business Development Managers are usually entry-level professionals who focus on the development and implementation of business strategies. They are often responsible for conducting market and competitive analysis, identifying potential new customers and developing customer acquisition strategies. They work closely with the sales and marketing teams and help to improve the company's products and services and develop new ones.
The job of BDM is generally not an absolute entry-level job. People who start the role of Junior Business Development Manager usually already have experience in marketing or account management.
Senior Business Development Manager Tasks
Business Development Further training and studies: How do you become a Business Developer?
There is no fixed training and career path to becoming a business development manager. However, a degree in economics is definitely an advantage and serves as a good basis for a future in business development. Your professional skills and the experience you bring with you are particularly important. That is why the requirements for this profession depend heavily on the sector in which you work.
As a rule, the position of Business Development Manager is not an entry-level position. It requires a certain level of experience - both in the relevant specialist area and in dealing with customers and management.
Business development training
Business development studies: the academic path
Master in International Business Development at the ESB Business School
Master in Business Development & Digital Innovation at Fresenius University of Applied Sciences
Bachelor in Business Administration and Business Development Management at the FHDW
Business administration
Marketing & Sales
Computer science
Engineering
Business development training: Courses and seminars for business development
There are now various BDM training courses on the market that are also suitable for career changers and people with a different professional background.
The IU University of Applied Sciences, for example, offers a four-month (full-time) online course in business development. At the VDI Wissensforum, you will learn the most important skills and knowledge that you will need as a Company Development Manager in two days of face-to-face training. The HAUFE Academy also has a further training course to become a Certified Business Development Manager in its portfolio, which takes place over four days.
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
Business Development Manager Skills: These skills are in demand
In addition to technical know-how, soft skills are particularly important in business development management. BD managers must be able to network well, make contact with potential customers, conduct negotiations and contribute creative ideas.
Analytical skills are also required, as important decisions on product development are based on market analyses and empirical data.
The most important hard skills in business development include:
Professional experience in development, marketing or sales
Industry-specific knowledge
Analytical understanding
IT skills
Good knowledge of English
(Intercultural) communication skills and negotiation skills
Strong self-motivation and proactivity
Resilience and self-organization
A feel for trends and current developments in the industry
Willingness to travel
Creativity and inventiveness
Business Development Manager career: opportunities on the job market
Jobs as a business development manager can be found in almost all industries - provided that innovations are in demand. Whether chemistry, IT, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals or biotechnology: in companies or organizations with a scientific or technical background, business development managers actively shape the future.
For this reason, the BDM is a highly sought-after specialist who should continuously expand their skills through further training. As an interface between the company's management team and the client, she is gaining promising experience.
In Business Development, you are already on a stepping stone towards management level: it is not uncommon for you to be able to progress to department management or beyond in this position.
That's why you should definitely seize the opportunity to take on responsibility and prove yourself as a specialist - one who is ambitious and enjoys their job and strategically plans their own career.
Top vacancies for Business Development Manager: Jobs throughout Germany
FAQ
As a Business Development Manager, you earn an average of € 74,000 gross per year in Germany. Experienced business developers who work in large companies can earn up to €120,000 a year.
As a Business Development Manager (BDM), you are responsible for the further development of products and services in a company. Your aim is to generate new customers, open up markets and increase sales.
For a career as a business developer, a degree in economics paired with strong industry knowledge is suitable. Career changers can also embark on a career as a BDM with a high level of technical expertise and several years of professional experience.
