¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ

Business developers establish and develop a company's sales and marketing strategy. Their job is to identify new opportunities and levers for growth. This business development manager plays a key role in corporate strategy. ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Business School explains this job, which is currently in great demand in many sectors.

What is a business developer?

The role of a business developer, also known as a sales engineer, is to find new growth drivers for the company and to identify commercial opportunities in the market. This position, at the crossroads of sales and marketing, encompasses a wide range of tasks, such as managing sales projects, developing the customer portfolio and negotiating commercial agreements.

Unlike salespeople, business developers work closely with the company's senior management to implement a long-term strategy. The aim of implementing the commercial strategy is to increase sales, develop growth and improve the company's presence in its market.

What are the tasks of the business developer?

To implement the business development plan successfully, the business developer must first analyse the market and the competition. In order to draw up a business plan, it is necessary to understand the situation in which the company finds itself and how it is evolving, as well as its strengths and weaknesses.

Once the study of the internal and external environment has been carried out, the business developer can draw up development guidelines and an initial action plan to develop the company's sales. The business developer defines the right strategy and organises all the actions involved in implementing the plan. To implement the plan, the sales engineer has to convince the management team and mobilise all the company's departments, such as the sales and marketing team.

The business developer will then manage the entire development project and ensure that the actions are carried out properly. Depending on the size of the company, the sector of activity and the objectives to be achieved, the business developer may have to carry out sales, prospecting and negotiation assignments in line with the defined strategy. Identifying potential markets, thinking about how to improve the product or service, supervising and managing sales teams, identifying lead-generating contacts, maintaining customer portfolios, etc.: the business developer's list of tasks can be very varied. To guarantee that the objectives set are met, the business developer must also fulfil a reporting and up-selling role, in order to retain the customers acquired and cultivate a good relationship.

What skills does a business developer need?

Business developers need to have a very good knowledge of their sector of activity and of the business world. They must be able to master the techniques and professional skills involved in prospecting, sales, negotiation and market research.

This profession requires strong interpersonal skills, the ability to communicate and an analytical mind. Business developers work in constant collaboration with the company's various departments and with customers. To develop business, business developers need to demonstrate leadership qualities, managerial skills and the ability to motivate their teams.

Fluency in English and other foreign languages is highly valued by companies in various sectors that have subsidiaries or customers abroad, or that wish to expand internationally, for example.

How much does a business developer earn?

A business developer's salary will depend on a number of factors, such as experience, sector of activity and results achieved. Their remuneration includes both a fixed component and a significant variable component.

In general, the salary of a junior business developer starts at between €30 and €45k. An experienced business developer, with between 3 and 5 years' experience, earns between €50k and €70k, and a senior business developer can earn up to €90k.

What training is needed to become a business developer?

Most business development jobs, including that of business developer, require a 5-year higher education qualification. There are a number of business school and university courses that can be taken to acquire a solid base of knowledge and professional skills.

¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ business school offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) to train you in the basics of the business development profession. This Bachelor's degree can be supplemented by a Master's degree in Business Strategy or an MBA (Master of Business Administration). To become a business developer, ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ also offers a Grande École programme leading to a Master's degree after two cycles. This programme provides training in the fundamentals of management, economics, management, commerce and much more.

The wide range of career opportunities available after business school means you'll have rapid access to employment. Today, business school graduates are generally employed as business developers to meet the growing commercial needs of companies.