Business development manager job description template: Everything you need to include

A great business development manager can take your company to the next level by driving growth, building partnerships, and opening doors to new opportunities. 

But many employers mistakenly assume business development is just sales. They advertise the wrong aspects of the job and hire the wrong person – only to realize their mistake too late. The good news? This doesn’t have to be you. 

In this article, we provide a comprehensive business development manager job description template to get you started on the right foot. Plus, we share top tips on how skills-based hiring can help you find someone who fits your needs.

Business development manager job description template

Job Title: Business Development Manager

Location: [Insert Location] Reports To: Director of Sales or Business Development Lead Job Type: [Full-time/Part-time/Contract]

About Us

[Company Name] is a growth-oriented organization specializing in [brief description of the company’s focus, e.g., innovative technology solutions, strategic consulting, or enterprise services]. Our mission is to [state the mission, e.g., "help businesses unlock their potential through transformative strategies and solutions"]. 

At [Company Name], we prioritize [core values such as innovation, customer success, and collaboration] and strive to be at the forefront of the [specific industry] landscape. With a reputation for [unique qualities, e.g., market-leading expertise, cutting-edge technology], we empower our clients to achieve their business goals and drive measurable results.

Job Overview

We are looking to hire a Business Development Manager with the skills to spearhead growth initiatives and identify new opportunities for our organization. The ideal candidate will be responsible for developing a robust pipeline, building strategic partnerships, and driving revenue growth through innovative solutions. 

This role is perfect for an individual with a passion for strategic planning, excellent communication skills, and a proven ability to exceed business targets.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and generate new business opportunities by researching and analyzing market trends, competitor activity, and client needs.

• Develop and execute comprehensive business development strategies to drive company growth and profitability.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, potential clients, and industry partners.

• Lead the end-to-end sales process, including prospecting, pitching, negotiation, and closing deals.

• Collaborate with internal teams (e.g., marketing, product development, operations) to create tailored solutions for potential clients.

• Prepare and present business proposals, RFPs, and presentations to senior leadership and client decision-makers.

• Monitor industry developments and emerging trends to identify opportunities for growth and innovation.

• Develop and maintain a robust sales pipeline using CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) to track progress and performance metrics.

• Represent the company at industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities to build brand awareness and establish connections.

Skills

• Strong ability to identify and capitalize on business opportunities through strategic thinking and market analysis.

• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence decision-making at all levels.

• Proven expertise in developing and executing successful sales and business development strategies.

• Adept at building relationships with senior executives, stakeholders, and industry leaders.

• Solid understanding of business dynamics, sales cycles, and consultative selling techniques.

• Proficiency in CRM platforms such as Salesforce, HubSpot, or similar tools.

• Analytical mindset to assess market trends and performance data to inform strategic decisions.

• Self-motivated and results-driven attitude, with a demonstrated ability to meet and exceed revenue goals.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, with excellent problem-solving skills.

• High attention to detail and organizational skills for managing complex deals and long-term partnerships.

• Good people management skills, with the ability to drive and lead the business development team.

Preferred Experience and Education

• Proven track record in business development, sales, or a related role, with measurable achievements in revenue generation.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Economics, or a related field (MBA is a plus).

• Industry-specific experience (e.g., technology, professional services, or B2B sales) is highly desirable.

• Experience managing high-value accounts and long-term business partnerships.

• Familiarity with project management and collaboration tools (e.g., Trello, Asana) is an advantage.

Benefits

[List the benefits of joining your company, such as competitive salary, bonus structures, health and wellness benefits, remote work flexibility, professional development opportunities, and more.]

Application Instructions

If you are a driven professional eager to shape the future of [specific industry or business area] and contribute to a thriving team, we invite you to apply. Please send your [application materials] to [email address] by [application deadline].

Why this business development manager job description template works

We carefully designed this job description to tell candidates everything they need to know about the business development manager role and in the right order. Here's what we've included and why. 

Company overview and logistics

Business development managers exist in every industry, so there are plenty of candidates out there. But you must find a way to cut through the noise and find someone who knows your specific products or services inside and out. 

Providing applicants with company information – including key offerings and core values – early in the job description can help them decide if they have the right knowledge, experience, and passion to grow your business. 

We also include logistics, such as work location, working hours, and job type, right at the top of the template. Since business development can technically be done from anywhere, it's crucial to clarify your expectations early on and avoid misconceptions. Candidates who can't meet these needs can instantly drop out.   

Key responsibilities 

Next, we've concisely listed what a business development manager's daily responsibilities look like. 

We've included duties like spotting new business opportunities, developing and executing growth strategies, and building stakeholder relationships to separate business development from a generic sales role. This helps highlight the caliber of candidates you're looking for and discourages unqualified individuals from applying. 

Also, while we've shown what the role entails – for instance, monitoring industry developments – we've deliberately avoided dictating how candidates should do their jobs. This is a clever way to showcase values like innovation and empowerment and attract top talent. 

Candidate requirements 

Unlike traditional job descriptions, this one focuses on business development skills such as communication, negotiation, and market analysis first and lists education as a preference – not a requirement. 

Why have we done this? Business development doesn't need a specific degree for success. Anyone who's learned and developed the right skills can ace the role. 

Shifting the emphasis to skills opens the doors to talented individuals who are skilled through alternative routes like self-learning, practical experiences, and more, giving you a better shot at finding a highly competent business development manager. 

We've also provided space for you to specify which software candidates should be proficient in, such as HubSpot. This way, you can attract those who are already familiar with your company's tech stack and can start contributing to company goals without needing too much training. 

Company benefits and application instructions

Business development managers are in high demand, so providing information about employee benefits is a great way to attract talent to your company over others. Finally, the job description closes with a clear call to action on how interested candidates can apply, leaving no room for ambiguity or error. 

Next steps: Attracting and assessing business development manager candidates

A well-crafted job description can help you attract qualified business development candidates if you post it in various places where they’re likely to see it. So post it on your company website, social media, and multiple job boards. 

After that, you must find a quick way to sift through the applications and shortlist your top choices before you lose them to another employer. 

TestGorilla's talent assessments are the best way to do this. Our library of 400+ tests can help you quickly assess candidates on everything from technical knowledge to soft skills, cognitive abilities, and behavioral traits. 

You can merge up to five tests to create a custom business development manager assessment you can use to screen your applicants. Here are some of our top recommendations. 

Job-specific

• Market Research test

• Market Analysis test

• B2B Sales Lead Generation test

• HubSpot CRM test, Zoho CRM test, or Salesforce CRM test

Soft skills

• Negotiation test

• Communication test

• Leadership & People Management test

Cognitive abilities

• Problem Solving test

• Critical Thinking test

Personality and culture

• DISC test, Enneagram, and other personality assessments

• Motivation test 

• Culture Add test 

Putting candidates through these tests is quicker and more objective than screening hundreds of resumes. Plus, it gives you a well-rounded view of each applicant's strengths, development areas, and overall suitability for the role so you can make informed choices and select the best person for the job. 

Like what you're reading? Explore how TestGorilla can help you hire top-notch candidates by creating an account today. All our customers – including our free account users – can post job openings on our job board. 

FAQs

What's the difference between BDM and BDR?

A business development manager (BDM) focuses more on long-term growth, partnerships, and creative strategies. A business development representative (BDR) is more hands-on with prospecting clients, generating leads, and setting up meetings.  

Is a BDM higher than a sales manager?

Not necessarily – despite some overlaps, they're totally different roles. Business development managers (BDM) drive overall business growth, while sales managers focus on generating and converting leads and hitting short-term revenue targets.  

What is the highest salary for BDM roles?

The salary for business development managers varies based on location, industry, and nature of the role. According to Indeed, the average salary for business development managers in the US is about $86,000 per year.