Business Development Manager
Open new commercial opportunities for an organisation - new logos, partnerships, channels and revenue.
This UK business development manager career guide covers what the role involves day to day, typical salary at each stage, the usual entry route, the skills employers expect, and related careers worth comparing.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £35,000 - £45,000 + commission
- Mid-career salary
- £55,000 - £75,000 OTE
- Senior salary
- £100,000 - £180,000+ OTE
- Work environment
- Hybrid - office, client visits, travel
- Time to entry
- 3 - 6 years sales background
- Degree required
- Not required
- Category
- Business, Finance and Legal
What a Business Development Manager does
Open new commercial opportunities for an organisation - new logos, partnerships, channels and revenue.
- SaaS BDM - New-logo sales in software / SaaS.
- Enterprise BDM - Long-cycle 6-7 figure deals into large customers.
- Channel / Partnership BDM - Build revenue through resellers, SI and tech partnerships.
How to become a Business Development Manager
- Look up Business Development Manager roles on LinkedIn or Indeed and read 5 real job ads
- Talk to someone already working as a Business Development Manager - even a 15-minute call helps
- Find one beginner course or qualification used by people in this role
- Build one small piece of evidence you've explored this (project, shadowing, short course)
- Apply to one entry-level role or related opportunity within the next month
Key skills
- Prospecting
- Discovery
- Negotiation
- Account planning