Business development manager

You can study for a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

• business management
• business development
• accountancy
• economics
• marketing
• international business

Employers may want you to have some experience in sales, marketing or business management.

Work experience, internships or year in industry placement during your course can help you gain commercial skills. Your university careers service can help you to find opportunities like these.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance

You may be able to join a business development team as an assistant after completing a relevant college course.

For example:

• business administration
• sales and marketing
• sales and account management
• T Level in Marketing

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• search for courses|/find-a-course

You could apply to do an apprenticeship with an organisation, such as:

• Sales Executive Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
• Marketing Executive Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
• Business to Business Sales Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

You could also apply for a place on an apprenticeship aimed at a specific industry, like an IT Technical Salesperson Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You could start in a sales, finance or marketing role with a company and move into business development through training, certification and promotion.

You could apply directly to become a business development manager, as there are no formal entry requirements. Employers may ask for:

• GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in maths, English and IT
• sales, marketing, account management or business management experience
• industry certification

Some companies offer places on a graduate training scheme in business development. You'll need a degree or postgraduate qualification to apply.

Career Tips

In job vacancies, the advertised salary may include on-target earnings (OTE), which depend on meeting individual or company targets. It's important to check what proportion of the salary is made up of OTE.

Professional and Industry Bodies

You could join the Business Development Association , for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

As a business development manager, you could:

• analyse companies and market trends to spot new investment opportunities
• attend events and conferences to network and create contacts
• negotiate services and prices with new and existing clients
• develop strong relationships with customers
• write reports and make presentations to customers and senior management
• identify opportunities for sales and marketing campaigns
• forecast sales targets and help plan how to meet them
• run training workshops for business development teams

You could work at a client's business or in an office.