Business developer

The business developer, also known as a development manager, is responsible for identifying new opportunities in a given market that would increase the company's revenue.

Unlike a traditional salesperson, the business developer focuses more on market prospecting. This professional evaluates new commercial agreements potentially profitable to the company they work for. They present themselves as true entrepreneurs serving other departments of the company.

The main mission of the business developer is to establish the company's commercial strategy with the aim of growing and developing its business. This involves searching for new clients, new partnerships, and new products/services.

To achieve this, the business developer must:

• Conduct analyses to determine customer needs;
• Develop the client portfolio;
• Find new growth drivers;
• Define and develop a commercial strategy;
• Bridge the gap between current activity and the new strategy. Conduct analyses to determine customer needs;
• Develop the client portfolio;
• Find new growth drivers;
• Define and develop a commercial strategy;
• Bridge the gap between current activity and the new strategy.

To succeed in their job, the business developer must have skills and qualities such as:

• Mastery of prospecting methods;
• Mastery of sales techniques;
• Negotiation skills;
• Listening skills;
• Interpersonal skills;
• Analytical thinking;
• Good market knowledge;
• Proficiency in English or another foreign language.

To achieve the goals related to the business developer profession, it is important to undergo training. emlyon business school offers the BBA program.

This program prepares students for the current and future challenges of global commerce. Over the four years of the Global BBA, students acquire technical skills and in-depth knowledge through academic courses in English and/or French.

The program also includes internships with the school's numerous international partners, as well as individual and collective experiments.

The BBA trains students capable of adapting to new paradigms, such as digitization, artificial intelligence, and others, which redefine the global economy.

The Global BBA awards a higher education diploma in international management, targeted at Bac+4 and conferring a Bachelor's degree controlled by the State.

The salary of a business developer can be influenced by various factors: experience, task complexity, industry sector.

The average annual salary of a beginner is €30,000 gross, while an experienced professional can earn €60,000 gross per year.

After a few years in the role, a business developer gains senior status. They can then become a business development manager, and then director of business development. Depending on their career goals, the business developer can also aim for positions such as marketing director, sales director, or general manager.

emlyon business school, founded in 1872 by the CCI of Lyon, is one of the oldest European establishments specializing in commerce. Today, emlyon business school has four campuses on two continents (Lyon, Paris, Shanghai, Mumbai). The quality of teaching and supervision is based on the standards governing triple international accreditation: AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA. As such, the school enjoys international recognition and a vast network of nearly 200 partners worldwide.