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 Kent
Often called the Garden of England due to its spectacular greenery, Kent is a county in the south-east.
Much of Kent is surrounded by water, with coastlines on the North Sea and the English Channel. It shares borders with Sussex, Surrey and Essex. What's more, Kent is a Home County with parts within the London commuter belt, so it's an ideal location for those seeking Business development executive opportunities.
Throughout its history, Kent has been an important location. During the Middle Ages, the Cathedral at Canterbury became a destination for pilgrims worldwide, after Thomas Becket was murdered there in 1170. Meanwhile, the River Medway had a naval dockyard for around 500 years before it was shut in 1984.
These days, Kent is known for everything from cement and brick making through to shipbuilding, aircraft design and power, while retail, tourism and the service sector are also important.
Just some of the companies based in Kent, or with large facilities, include KEF Metalworking and Kimberly-Clark. Meanwhile, Aylesford is a large paper recycling facility that manufactures newsprint.
In addition, Dover is an important port town, particularly for ferries to the continent, while cruise lines like MSC, Fred Olsen, Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean and Saga depart regularly to destinations around the world.
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.