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 Gateshead
Located just over the River Tyne from Newcastle, Gateshead has always been somewhat overshadowed and culturally engulfed by its neighbour in the public conscious, but it’s a happening town in its own right, with a huge amount going for it in terms of art, sport and industry. Gateshead was busy during the Industrial Revolution, with coal mining and ironworks playing important roles; the town produced ships’ anchors and chains for which demand was insatiable.
As the availability of electric energy took hold, Gateshead would become known as a cable manufacturing town, and the first trans-Channel telegraph wire was made there, as was half of the first transatlantic one. Sir Joseph Swan, one of those credited with the invention of the lightbulb, lived and performed his experiments in Gateshead, and it is thought that his house was the world’s first to be electrified for lighting. Modern Gateshead is still thriving. It is home to Europe’s largest shopping centre, the Metro Centre, as well as several trading and industrial estates. Gateshead, and its neighbour Newcastle, are ideal places to look for a Business Development Manager position. The region is doing well economically, and there’s still a good deal of industry to complement the huge opportunity offered by its retail sector.
Culturally, Gateshead is head and wings above many larger towns and cities. Right at its south point is Antony Gormley’s towering Angel of the North statue, and at its northernmost point are the Sage Gateshead and the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, which occupies what was a flour mill. Tow of the north’s most iconic bridges, the “Blinking Eye” and the steel arch Tyne Bridge, both join Newcastle with Gateshead (along with five others). Gateshead stadium plays host to top athletics meetings, and for a month in 2006 was the location of the world 100 m sprint record (9.77 seconds) set by Asafa Powell.
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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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