Business development executive
Most businesses have a group of account executives whose job it is to look after clients, although they might also be involved with the sales process too, as they have excellent knowledge of the way the company operates. That secondary role can be a full time position, however – the business development executive. This role is more strategic, as it’s taking the company’s overall business aims in the medium and long-term, and working to realise them, with a particular interest in winning new clients.
Typically, the business development executive will brief the accounts team on the clients they win, and then have little more to do with looking after them, unless they have a hybrid role (which is quite common in smaller companies). Most of the time, they will be looking out for new opportunities, contacting leads and following them up, which makes them have more in common with sales staff, except on a more strategic footing.
The skills required
Business development executive jobs go to people who can demonstrate a talent for identifying leads that will benefit the company long into the future, or which take the company in new directions. They will often be employed when a company has changed its core business model or has embarked on a new range of products and services.
With a strong emphasis on identifying leads and persuasion, business development executives are often drawn from the ranks of sales, and often no experience as a BDE is required as long as they have a proven long-term, strategic mindset.
Business development executive Jobs in Cardiff
As the capital of Wales, Cardiff has long been at the centre of Welsh commerce, culture, media and government. It is the most populous city in Wales and offers an array of possibilities for those seeking Business development executive vacancies.
Cardiff is situated in the historic county of Glamorgan and until the 19th century, it was a fairly small town. As the Industrial Revolution took hold in the rest of the UK, the Port of Cardiff, also known as Tiger Bay, became increasingly important - in fact, one of the busiest in the world.
The Taff Vale Railway and the Glamorganshire connected the city's docks to the coal-producing areas in other parts of Wales, and this useful resource was sent on as fuel for factories across the country.
In the late 1800s, rival docks at Barry began to take over in the shipment of coal, but the Coal Exchange remained in Cardiff and the city became increasingly industrialised, with the addition of an ironworks and a steelworks.
Cardiff officially became the capital in 1955 and over the years it has remained an important cargo port. Much of its industrial past has been replaced by the financial and business sector - although there are still metal works to be found in the region.
Today, a number of well-known companies operate headquarters in the city - including Admiral Insurance, Principality Building Society and 118118. In addition, the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff is the UK's largest hospital outside of London.
Popular locations
Business development executives use Cast UK
At Cast UK, we have a steady stream of business development executive jobs coming up, so if you’re a BDE or want to take the leap from sales to this more strategic role, we’d urge you to follow the link below and register with us.
If your company needs to find some talent to put its business development plans into action, you’ve found your perfect recruitment partner. At Cast UK we know exactly what companies are looking for in operational-level positions such as this, and we can create a shortlist of interview-ready candidates in double-quick time. Call us on 0333 121 3345 to speak to a consultant.