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 Cornwall
Located in the south-west of England, Cornwall is mainly surrounded by water, although it shares a border with Devon to the east. The region is recognised as a Celtic nation, home to the Cornish people, and many residents in the area believe that it should be allowed to split from England to become the fifth home nation of the UK.
Fishing and agriculture have long been part of the Cornish economy and from the Middle Ages, the mining of tin became one of the most important industries in the region. This continued to grow and in the early 19th century, copper mining also brought wealth to the area.
Within 50 years, however, metal mining started to decline and was replaced by the production of china clay. By the end of the 1990s, mining was almost completely gone from Cornwall.
These days, the Cornish economy mainly relies on agriculture and tourism and those seeking Business development executive opportunities will have various options to consider.
Food manufacturing companies like Ginsters, the West Cornwall Pasty Company and Dairy Crest are large employers in the region, while brewing is also a large industry, with Sharp's, Skinners and St Austell being just three of Cornwall's many beer companies.
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.