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Business Development Managers and Directors


Outlook

Employment Prospects

Employers

Opportunities for business development professionals are available at companies throughout the country and in nearly every industry. Many are employed in the pharmaceutical and information technology sectors. Some perform similar duties at nonprofit organizations and government agencies.

Starting Out

Many business development directors and managers start their careers as entry-level associates. Others obtain experience in corporate sales or finance before transitioning into business development.

Employment sites such as CareerBuilder.com and LinkedIn.com list job openings for business development professionals. Other job-search strategies include using the resources of your college’s career services office, working with recruiters, attending career fairs, and participating in internships and co-ops to obtain experience and get noticed by hiring managers.

Advancement Prospects

After 10 or so years of experience, a business development manager can advance to the position of director. And after several years of additional experience and a proven track record of increasing revenue for their companies, a director at a large company can advance to the position of vice-president of business development. Some business development professionals become management consultants or college professors.

Tips for Entry

Visit the following Web sites for job listings.

  • https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/business-development-manager-jobs/
  • https://nbda.co/jobs/
  • https://salesmanagement.org/jobs/
  • https://www.indeed.com/q-Business-Development-Director-jobs.html
  • https://www.apmp.org/networking/

Be willing to relocate. It may open more job opportunities. 

Use social media such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to stay up-to-date on industry developments, network, and learn about job openings. The National Business Development Association has Facebook and LinkedIn pages that you should check out.