Business Development Manager Jobs
Companies that settle into a comfortable place with their existing clients can quickly find themselves overwhelmed by a fast-changing world, especially when those clients move on. The business development manager (BDM) is there to identify potential openings and chase them up to win new, sustainable business for the company.
In many ways, business development manager jobs have similar responsibilities to regular sales jobs, but there are some subtle differences. Sales is a little more short-term, for example, following leads up responsively with an aim to closing the deal. The BDM, on the other hand, has more of a long-term, strategic approach to identifying new opportunities that includes, but is not limited to, individual customers.
The business development manager might therefore be involved with assembling an internal team that’s ready to face emerging challenges before they arrive so they can hit the ground running. That can be through recruitment or training, but with the overall strategic mindset, it can bear fruit for the company in the medium term.
Business Development Manager skills required
Business development managers are strategic thinkers – they are not just thinking about the next client win but are looking months and years ahead to how the industry and the company will look, and how best to manage it.
BDMs will also need to put their sales hat on quite regularly, however. Part of the business’s development is of course winning new contracts, so they will need to be able to communicate to other businesses the benefits of partnering with their company, so they will frequently be part of sales pushes and wooing new customers.
Business Development Manager Jobs in Chesterfield
Situated 9 miles (15 km) south of Sheffield, the Derbyshire town of Chesterfield has more influence from this city than it does with Derby, its county capital, 21 miles (35 km) to the south. To the east of the town the M1 passes on its Nottingham to Sheffield stretch, and the west of Derby is taken up with 3 miles (5 km) of agricultural land before the start of the Peak District National Park. Chesterfield is connected to Derby, Leicester, Rotherham and Sheffield by rail. Its current population of around 100,000 makes it the most populous town in Derbyshire, second in size only to the city of Derby.
Historically a market town, Chesterfield became associated with coal mining after the discovery of a large seam in the 19th century, when the town’s population grew rapidly. The coal was discovered during the excavation of a tunnel for George Stephenson’s Derby to Leeds railway line. During construction, Stephenson moved to Chesterfield, and it was in the town that he was to end his days, aged 67. A statue of Stephenson stands outside Chesterfield railway station. The engineering legacy continued until recently, however. Chesterfield-based Markham & Co. made the machines that excavated the Channel Tunnel, among other tunnels.
Much of the heavy industry has now left Chesterfield, and in many ways the town has returned to its Market roots, although there is understandably a much larger service and local government sector now. Occasionally, Business Development Manager positions are filled in Chesterfield, but more so in the surrounding area, particularly Sheffield.
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Talk to Cast UK if you’re a BDM (or if you need one)
Great Business development managers have never been in such high demand, as competition for clients and a rapidly changing workplace is driving all industries in new directions. If you’ve been looking for a BDM but have been disappointed with the calibre of candidates, you need to talk to Cast UK.
We specialise in managerial roles across sectors, and can get you a fantastic shortlist drawn from all over the UK. Call 0333 121 3345 to speak to a recruitment expert.
Are you a talented BDM looking to fill a position with a great employer? Register with Cast UK by following the link below. We’ve got the contacts you need to make that step.
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