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 Manchester
As one of the UK’s largest cities, Manchester has long been an important location in Britain’s industrial and economic pursuits - and here at Cast UK, we can help you find Business development executive vacancies in this thriving metropolis.
By the 1500s, the city was known for its textile markets and wool trade. As canals were built over the next 200 years and cotton overtook wool as the material of choice, Manchester continued to grow in importance and population. During the 1800s with the birth of the Industrial Revolution, the city became a pivotal point in the British economy.
Today, it’s said that Manchester has been reborn, becoming a centre of culture and media. Indeed, with the BBC’s move to the north, it’s generally agreed that Manchester is the second city of the UK (although Birmingham may disagree). In addition to the BBC, Granada Television - an ITV franchise - is situated in the city and so is The Guardian newspaper’s head office.
Of course, there are plenty of other big employers operating out of Manchester as it is a major hub for finance, banking, insurance and logistics industries. Some of the big names in business operating out of Manchester are Thomas Cook, McVitie’s, Kellogg’s, Google and Stagecoach.
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.