The international business development manager plays a strategic role within a company that aims to expand internationally. What are the main activities of this professional and what are their skills?
International Business Development Manager: What Is It?
The international business development manager, responsible for international business development, is a sales expert. They are tasked with configuring and overseeing the development stages of a company in a region (often abroad) where business opportunities have been identified.
The international business development manager will therefore lead the commercial actions and projects in this geographical area.
They play a key role in international business service. In addition to managing a foreign team, they organize marketing action plans for international markets.
Under the hierarchy of the sales director, this expert proposes commercial development strategies based on market studies to increase revenue in a given territory.
The international business development manager can work in various sectors. In an ultra-competitive context, they are an asset for acquiring new markets. Their versatile profile allows them to integrate both SMEs and large multinational companies.
Missions of the International Business Development Manager
The international business development manager represents a key position for companies wishing to establish themselves internationally. Here are their main tasks:
- Detect and prospect new growth drivers abroad;
- Establish strategic choices for implementation in a targeted geographical area;
- Operate in international markets;
- Conduct international negotiations;
- Manage sales teams in a multicultural context.
International Business Development Manager: Their Skills
To integrate a position as an international business development manager, one must first have excellent language and sales skills.
The candidate must also have the following skills:
- Mastering commercial law and business management;
- Knowledge of the taxation of the targeted geographical area;
- Proficiency in English and another foreign language (Spanish, Mandarin, Russian) depending on the target market;
- Negotiation skills;
- Team management skills;
- Ability to conduct prospecting.
International Business Development Manager: What studies ?
To be perfectly prepared for the role of development manager, one can follow the BBA program at emlyon business school. This is a bachelor's degree in management sciences and international management based on project-based learning.
The Global BBA offers many academic and professional immersions that promote the immediate employability of graduates. It provides access to the best master's programs worldwide.
This BBA is aimed at high school graduates with good academic results, regardless of specialization. They have the choice between the English or French track from the first year.
What Is the Salary and Career Progression of an International Business Development Manager?
Beginners can earn an average of €50,000 gross annually. With 5 to 8 years of experience, the international business developer will earn an average of €65,000 gross annually.
The career prospects for an international business development manager are diverse. This role can lead to positions such as:
- International branch director;
- International development project manager;
- International trade consultant;
- Export development manager;
- Sales director;
- Marketing director.
emlyon business school
emlyon business school, which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2022, is one of the first and best business and management schools in Europe. The four campuses on two continents have over 9,000 students from 125 nationalities in initial training, and almost 7,000 participants in continuing education programs. The School relies on a network of 200 international academic partners and fosters a community of 41,700 alumni spread across 130 different countries. The teaching staff consists of highly qualified professors and researchers developing their teaching around the early makers pedagogy. This approach is strongly focused on individual and collective experimentation.