Executive Business Development Manager

Roles and responsibilities

The Business Development Managers primary responsibility will be to proactively identify and win new business opportunities through conducting regular visits with key contacts such as architects, developers, and contractors. This role will involve extensive research and project tracking to stay up-to-date with relevant developments across assigned regions and to maintain competitive advantage in the market. Additionally, this role will demonstrate excellent project management skills, managing multiple assignments and priorities within a fast paced, deadline driven environment. As part of the company’s leadership team the Business Development Manager will proactively devise commercially viable sales plans and forecasts which align with global objectives.

To be considered for this role, the successful candidate should ideally have a Degree in Engineering or a related field, with a minimum of 4 years’ sales experience within Construction/Building Materials industry. Our client is looking to hire an entrepreneurial individual who is results orientated and has a strong understanding of market dynamics in order to build credibility and long-lasting partnerships.

1. Market Research & Strategy Development

• Identifying New Markets: Conducting thorough market research to identify new markets, industries, or regions where the business could expand or grow.
• Developing Business Strategies: Formulating strategies to enter new markets, launch new products, or expand the existing product or service offering. This could involve pricing strategies, competitive analysis, and SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis.
• Customer Segmentation: Understanding the target audience, segmenting them based on demographics, needs, or behaviors, and crafting strategies to approach each segment effectively.

2. Sales & Lead Generation

• Lead Generation: Identifying potential leads or customers, reaching out to new prospects, and generating interest in the company’s products or services.
• Sales Pipeline Management: Managing the sales pipeline by following up on leads, qualifying prospects, and moving them through the sales process to conversion.
• Negotiation & Closing Deals: Negotiating terms, prices, and contracts with potential clients to close deals and establish long-term business relationships.
• Account Management: In some cases, the BDM may also be responsible for managing key accounts, ensuring customer satisfaction, and identifying opportunities for upselling or cross-selling additional services.

3. Partnerships & Networking

• Building Relationships: Developing and maintaining strong relationships with potential clients, partners, stakeholders, and industry influencers. This is crucial for expanding the company’s network and reputation.
• Strategic Partnerships: Identifying and pursuing strategic partnerships with other companies that can lead to mutually beneficial business opportunities, such as joint ventures, co-marketing initiatives, or distribution agreements.
• Networking: Attending industry events, conferences, and trade shows to build connections and increase visibility in the market.

4. Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Client Needs Analysis: Engaging with clients to understand their needs and pain points, and proposing solutions that align with the company’s offerings.
• Stakeholder Communication: Regularly communicating with internal and external stakeholders to align on business objectives, sales strategies, and opportunities.
• Customer Retention: Implementing strategies to ensure customer satisfaction, loyalty, and retention over the long term.

Desired candidate profile

• Sales & Negotiation Skills: Ability to negotiate terms and close deals effectively while maintaining long-term relationships with clients.
• Strategic Thinking: The ability to think strategically, spotting new business opportunities and formulating effective plans to capitalize on them.
• Networking & Relationship Building: Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of people, from clients to industry leaders.
• Market Research & Analysis: Strong research and analytical skills to understand market trends, competitors, and customer needs.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interacting with clients, stakeholders, and internal teams.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to identify and address challenges, ensuring that solutions are both effective and aligned with business goals.
• Project Management: Ability to manage multiple projects at once, ensuring that initiatives are delivered on time and within budget.
• Financial Acumen: Understanding of financial metrics and the ability to assess ROI (return on investment) for business development efforts.

Tools & Technologies You May Use:

• CRM Software: Tools like Salesforce, HubSpot, or Zoho CRM to track leads, manage sales pipelines, and maintain customer relationships.
• Project Management Tools: Software like Trello, Asana, or Monday.com to track tasks, projects, and team collaboration.
• Analytics Tools: Platforms like Google Analytics, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to gather insights into customer behavior, market trends, and competitor activities.
• Email Marketing & Automation: Tools like Mailchimp, Constant Contact, or SendGrid to engage prospects and leads through automated email campaigns.
• Proposal & Document Management: Tools such as DocuSign, Proposify, or PandaDoc to create and manage proposals, contracts, and agreements.

Key Metrics for Success:

• Revenue Growth: Increasing revenue and hitting sales targets through successful business development activities.
• Lead Conversion Rate: The percentage of qualified leads converted into paying customers.
• Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): The cost of acquiring new customers through business development efforts, including marketing and sales expenses.
• Client Retention Rate: The percentage of customers retained over a certain period, reflecting the long-term success of business development strategies.
• Partnership Success: The number and quality of strategic partnerships formed, and the overall value generated from these partnerships.

Recommended Background & Experience:

• Educational Background: A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Sales, or a related field is typically required. A Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) can be an advantage.
• Experience: Typically, 3-5 years of experience in business development, sales, or marketing roles, with a proven track record of generating revenue, building relationships, and closing deals.
• Certifications: Certifications in sales or business development, such as Certified Business Development Expert (CBDE) or Salesforce Certified Sales Cloud Consultant, can be beneficial.