12 Business Development Manager Skills: Definition and Examples
By ResumeCat Editorial Team
Updated June 7, 2023
The business development manager is responsible for the growth of the company. They work to identify new markets and new opportunities for the company. They also work to build relationships with potential customers and partners. The business development manager skills are: 1. Strategic Thinking 2. Business Acumen 3. Relationship Building 4. Communication 5. Persuasion 6. Negotiation 7. Problem Solving 8. Creativity 9. Research 10. Organizational 11. Time Management 12. multitasking

Business Development Manager Skills
- Business development
- Marketing
- Project management
- Sales
- Business administration
- Financial analysis
- Human resources
- Event planning
- Public relations
- Fundraising
- Customer service
- Communication
Business development
Business development managers are responsible for developing and implementing growth strategies for their organizations. They work with internal and external stakeholders to identify new business opportunities, assess market potential, and develop go-to-market plans. To be successful in this role, you need strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to think strategically and execute tactically. You must also be able to effectively communicate your ideas to others and build relationships with key stakeholders.
Marketing
Marketing is the process of creating value for a company through the creation and distribution of products or services. It is the function that determines what products or services will be offered to customers, how they will be priced, and how they will be promoted. A business development manager needs marketing skills to be able to identify opportunities for new products and services and to develop marketing plans to bring them to market. Marketing skills are also essential for managing customer relationships and for developing and implementing strategies to grow a company's customer base.
Project management
Project management is the process of planning, executing, and monitoring projects. It includes identifying and managing risks, setting deadlines, and ensuring that the project stays on track. Business development managers need project management skills to be able to successfully plan and execute projects.
Sales
The ability to sell is obviously important for any business development manager. They need to be able to convince potential clients that their product or service is worth investing in. This requires strong communication and negotiation skills.
Business administration
Business administration is the process of organizing and managing the operations of a business. It includes planning, budgeting, accounting, human resources, marketing, and customer service. A business development manager needs this skill in order to be able to effectively manage the various aspects of a business and ensure its success.
Financial analysis
Financial analysis is the process of evaluating a company's financial performance, typically through the use of financial ratios. This skill is important for business development managers because it allows them to assess a company's financial health and identify opportunities for improvement. Financial analysis can also help managers make better decisions about where to allocate resources.
Human resources
The ability to effectively manage human resources is a critical skill for any business development manager. A business development manager must be able to identify the best talent for their team, and then motivate and manage that team to achieve success. This requires strong interpersonal and communication skills, as well as the ability to understand the needs and goals of each individual on the team.
Event planning
Event planning is a critical skill for business development managers because they often have to coordinate events and meetings. This involves working with a variety of stakeholders to ensure that the event runs smoothly and meets the needs of all involved parties. Event planning requires strong organizational skills, as well as the ability to effectively communicate with and manage different types of people.
Public relations
Public relations is the process of managing communication between an organization and the public. It is important for business development managers to have strong public relations skills in order to build and maintain positive relationships with customers, clients, and the general public. Strong public relations skills can help to create a favorable image for an organization, which can lead to increased business opportunities.
Fundraising
Fundraising is the process of soliciting and collecting donations from individuals, businesses, and other organizations. It is a critical skill for business development managers, as they are often responsible for securing funding for their organization's projects and programs.
Fundraising requires strong interpersonal and communication skills, as well as an understanding of how to effectively appeal to potential donors. Business development managers must be able to articulate their organization's needs and objectives in a way that will resonate with potential donors. They must also be able to build relationships with potential donors and cultivate these relationships over time.
Customer service
Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during, and after a purchase. The purpose of customer service is to satisfy the customer's needs and wants. Good customer service leads to customer satisfaction, which leads to repeat business and referrals.
You need customer service skills as a Business Development Manager because you will be responsible for developing relationships with new customers and maintaining those relationships. Good customer service will help you build strong relationships with your customers, which will lead to repeat business and referrals.
Communication
As a business development manager, communication is key in order to be successful. You need to be able to communicate effectively with potential clients in order to persuade them to do business with your company. Additionally, you need to be able to communicate with your team in order to coordinate efforts and ensure that everyone is on the same page.
How to improve business development manager skills
The role of the business development manager is to identify and develop new business opportunities for the company. They are responsible for generating new leads, developing relationships with potential clients, and closing deals.
The skills required to be a successful business development manager include:
1. Research and analysis
2. Strategic thinking
3. Relationship building
4. Persuasive communication
5. Negotiation
6. Project management
7. Business acumen
8. Sales skills
9. Marketing skills
10. Technical skills
1. Research and analysis: The ability to research and analyze market trends, target customers, and competitor strategies is essential for business development managers. They need to be able to identify opportunities and threats in the market and develop plans to capitalize on them.
2. Strategic thinking: Strategic thinking is required to develop long-term plans for the company’s growth. Business development managers need to be able to think ahead to identify future needs of the company and plan for how to meet those needs.
3. Relationship building: The ability to build strong relationships with potential clients is crucial for business development managers. They need to be able to establish trust and credibility with potential clients in order to win their business.
4. Persuasive communication: The ability to communicate persuasively is essential for business development managers. They need to be able to sell the company’s products or services to potential clients and convince them of their value.
5. Negotiation: The ability to negotiate effectively is important for business development managers. They need to be able to reach agreements with potential clients that are beneficial for both parties involved.
6. Project management: The ability to manage projects effectively is important for business development managers. They often have multiple projects underway at any given time and need to be able to juggle multiple deadlines and priorities.
7 .Business acumen: A strong understanding of businesses is essential for business development managers .They need to be able understand how businesses operate and what drives their success in order develop successful partnerships . 8 . Sales skills : Strong sales skills are essential for business development managers .They need 9 . Marketing skills : Marketing skills are important for business development managers in order attract new clients .They need understand marketing principles and know how create effective marketing campaigns . 10 . Technical skills : Technical skills are often required for business development manager roles , depending on the industry .For example , someone in the IT industry will need strong technical skills in order understand the products they are selling .
How to highlight business development manager skills
As a Business Development Manager, you will be responsible for developing and implementing growth strategies for your company. To be successful in this role, you will need to have excellent communication and negotiation skills. You will also need to be able to identify new business opportunities and build relationships with potential clients.
On a resume
To highlight your skills as a Business Development Manager on a resume, you should list your experience in sales, marketing, and management. You should also list any relevant coursework or training you have completed. In addition, you should describe your ability to develop and implement strategies to increase sales and grow the business. Finally, you should mention your strong communication and interpersonal skills.
In a cover letter
When writing your cover letter as a Business Development Manager, be sure to highlight your skills in developing and managing relationships with clients. In addition, emphasize your ability to identify new business opportunities and negotiate contracts. Finally, mention your experience in developing marketing plans and executing sales strategies. By doing so, you will demonstrate to potential employers that you have the skills and experience necessary to be successful in this role.
During an interview
In order to highlight your skills as a Business Development Manager during an interview, you should be prepared to discuss your experience in sales and marketing, as well as your ability to identify and develop new business opportunities. You should also be prepared to talk about your experience managing teams and projects, as well as your ability to negotiate and close deals. Finally, you should be able to demonstrate your understanding of the business development process and how you have used it to successfully achieve results for your organization.