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Business Development Officer Job Description

What does a Business Development Officer do?

A Business Development Officer will work closely with management and sales and marketing teams. Business Development Officer responsibilities include increasing business sales, conducting market research, and building relationships with new and existing customers. Business Development Officers typically report to a Business Development Manager.

Our Business Development Officer job description includes the Business Development Officer responsibilities, duties, skills, education, qualifications, and experience.

Business Development Officer Example


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If you need an example job description for a Business Development Officer download the one below, alternatively we have many other Sales job description samples and a job description library with over 3000 job descriptions templates that you can download for free.

What does a Business Development Officer do?

Business development officers are employed by companies to develop and execute strategies to increase company sales and profits. They identify profitable business opportunities, secure sound business deals, and lead business development associates.

Business Development Officer Role

Business Development Officers are employed by companies to develop and execute strategies to increase company sales and profits. They identify profitable business opportunities, secure business wins and sometimes lead teams.

We are hiring a driven Business Development Officer to identify business growth opportunities and develop strategies to increase company sales. As Business Development Officer your responsibilities will include identifying company products and services that are underperforming, developing an in-depth knowledge of company offerings, pricing, and policies, and improving existing sales proposals.

To succeed as a Business Development Officer, you should be adept at negotiating business deals and able to make sound decisions that will benefit the company. Ultimately, an exceptional Business Development Officer should have strong business acumen as well as demonstrate excellent management, communication, and analytical skills.

Business Development Officer Duties

  • Some experience working as a Business Development Officer or similar role.
  • Proficiency in all Microsoft Office applications.
  • Travel as needed.
  • The ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
  • Excellent analytical, problem-solving and management skills.
  • Exceptional negotiation and decision-making skills.
  • Effective communication skills.
  • Strong business acumen.
  • Detail-oriented.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Management or Administration, Finance, Accounting, Marketing, or related field.

Business Development Officer Requirements

  • Develop and sustain solid relationships with company stakeholders and customers.
  • Analyse customer feedback data to determine whether customers are satisfied with company products and services.
  • Recruit, train and guide business development staff.
  • Provide insight into product development and competitive positioning.
  • Analyse financial data and developing effective strategies to reduce business costs and increase company profits.
  • Conduct market research to identify new business opportunities.
  • Collaborate with company executives to determine the most viable, cost-effective approach to pursue new business opportunities.
  • Meet with potential investors to present company offerings and negotiate business deals.
  • Some experience working as a Business Development Officer or similar role.
  • Proficiency in all Microsoft Office applications.
  • Travel as needed.
  • The ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
  • Excellent analytical, problem-solving and management skills.
  • Exceptional negotiation and decision-making skills.
  • Effective communication skills.
  • Strong business acumen.
  • Detail-oriented.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Management or Administration, Finance, Accounting, Marketing, or related field.

Business Development Officer Qualifications

The education and qualifications of a Business Development Officer might include the following:

  • A Degree in Business Development, Business Management, Economics, or International Relations
  • Two A Levels
  • At least two GCSEs, including English and Maths
  • MS Office proficiency

Business Development Officer Desired Experience

The relevant experience of a Business Development Officer might include working in a business administration, sales, or marketing role where the individual could build their business acumen and written and verbal communication skills. Similar job titles include Business Development Associates.

Business Development Officer Training

Possible training of an experienced Business Development Officer candidate might include:

  • Retail Leadership Degree Apprenticeship
  • Business to Business Sales Professional Degree Apprenticeship
  • Level 3 Certificate in Sales and Account Management
  • Level 3 Award in Business Development Skills
  • The Managing & Marketing Sales Association Qualifications

How to write a Business Development Officer Job Advert

Use our job advert template to write a job advert for posting on job sites and job boards. Our job advertising templates are carefully created to help you reach your audience and beat the competition to the best talent.

A job description informs the reader about a job, whereas a job advert’s main objective is to sell the job opportunity to attract as many suitable applicants possible. A job advert maybe the first touch-point a candidate has with your company so it is important to create a great impression.

Job Advertisements should enticing, so considering using short, exciting language which get the reader’s attention.

How to write a Business Development Officer Job Description

To write a job description, we recommend starting with a job description template from our job description library, which contains examples for 800+ positions and professions. Our job description examples include a job summary with duties and responsibilities and skills and requirements, which can be personalised for your job vacancy.

Job Description Advice - Guidance on How to Personalise a Business Development Officer Job Specification

The hiring process and recruiting new employees to fill your key roles requires a degree of personalisation if you are to attract the best employees in a competitive employment market. The right person for a crucial role or more senior roles will likely have other employers targeting them. As your job description will be the first point of contact, you need to nail your pitch and provide the best possible service.

Job Description Tips - Help on formatting a Business Development Officer Job Specification

When creating your bespoke description and advert, you should cover and promote these points:

Job title: This should accurately reflect the role and include keywords that top talent might be using to search for jobs.

Job duties: The day to day duties, such as administrative tasks, which vary depending on the company and inform the candidate if they can complete the role.

Technical skills: These are the hard skills required through training, such as proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Soft skills: These include the interpersonal skills and general abilities the right candidates will possess. For example, the competency to prioritise multiple tasks, handle customer queries and customer complaints, work alone, or build a good relationship with coworkers.

The company's culture: Highlighting your company culture and values ensures employees thrive and find outstanding job satisfaction. Candidates that are not the right fit won’t waste their time completing the application process, meaning you can focus on qualified individuals and hire in a more timely manner.

Career progression: Including the career path will entice candidates looking for career growth. 

Training and development programs: Smaller companies may need employees with previous experience or provide educational assistance over internal training offered by larger organisations with more significant resources. 

Employee benefits: Compensation and benefits often fail to appear in job ads and while you may want to hold your cards close to your chest, failing to include them is a mistake. Consider answering common questions, such as working hours and paid leave. Researching the average salary for the role in these early stages will ensure you don’t waste your interviewer’s and the candidate’s time.

Skill gaps: Your company may need to bring in new skills beyond those required to complete the key role and duties. Thinking on an organisational level can be beneficial when contemplating skills diversity.

Legal requirements: Ensure your job advert and description does not ask for inappropriate or discriminatory personal details, such as age, marital status, or religion.

How to Hire a Business Development Officer

Once you have selected your Job Description download it or convert it to a Job Advert. From here you can post/advertise your job across our network of job boards. If you wish to use the job description for a CV Template click through for advice and Convert to a CV

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