What does a business development associate do?
A business development associate's role is to develop strategies to boost a company's sales and overall growth. They are primarily responsible for conducting research and analysis to identify clients' needs, participate in creating business plans and products, and produce progress reports and presentations. A business development associate must also maintain a database of customer information, arrange meetings between clients, coordinate with marketing staff, and assist in negotiations. Furthermore, it is essential to adhere to the policies and standards of the company.
Business development associate responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real business development associate resumes:
- Manage RFP process including search and qualification of requests and coordinate fulfillment.
- Manage logistics, control engineering and design, order placement, vendor relationships, customer utilization and technology.
- Enhance company social media platforms by updating all product information across Facebook and LinkedIn.
- Utilize LinkedIn as necessary for any recruiting initiatives or research that is needed.
- Bid on large agency's request for proposals (RFP), by developing, writing and coordinating a technical response.
- Maintain client/prospect information within billing and CRM database.
- Maintain data integrity of prospects in ConnectWise CRM application.
- Execute numerous presentations at national-level healthcare conferences
- Maintain customer deposits through cross-selling and traveling to potential clients' offices.
- Train and sell customers on platform which include trading in equities, options, FX & futures.
- Execute numerous presentations at national-level healthcare conferences
Business development associate skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Business Development Associates are proficient in Customer Service, PowerPoint, and Project Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Creativity.
We break down the percentage of Business Development Associates that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 9%
Build and direct sales, marketing and business development initiatives, through cultivating strategic relationships and consistent superior customer service.
- PowerPoint, 6%
Provided detailed billing information to leadership through group meetings, conference calls, and PowerPoint presentations regularly.
- Project Management, 5%
Developed marketing materials for company-wide project management software which was utilized on all design-build and Public Private Partnership proposals.
- Market Research, 5%
Performed market research into industries including banking and finance, information technology, insurance, and manufacturing.
- Lead Generation, 4%
Supported a Senior Business Development Executive with lead generation of new business opportunities within a specific market of Property tax.
- Sales Process, 4%
Incorporated sales processes and knowledge based software to develop existing company accounts.
"customer service," "powerpoint," and "project management" are among the most common skills that business development associates use at work. You can find even more business development associate responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a business development associate to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "advertising, promotions, and marketing managers must be able to analyze industry trends to determine the most promising strategies for their organization." Additionally, a business development associate resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "analyzed stock and economic research to perform portfolio construction and due diligence for client accounts. "
Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform business development associate duties is communication skills. Business development associates responsibilities require that "managers must be able to communicate effectively with a broad-based team made up of other managers or staff members during the advertising, promotions, and marketing process." Business development associates also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "work with top-level management to coordinate production of marketing communication collaterals such as sales presentations and sales contracts. "
Creativity. business development associates are also known for creativity, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to business development associate responsibilities, because "advertising, promotions, and marketing managers must be able to generate new and imaginative ideas." A business development associate resume example shows how creativity is used in the workplace: "assisted with project management, brand strategy, market research and creative development. "
Interpersonal skills. For certain business development associate responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "interpersonal skills." The day-to-day duties of a business development associate rely on this skill, as "managers must deal with a range of people in different roles, both inside and outside the organization." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what business development associates do: "cultivate and maintain a professional network with excellent interpersonal and communication skills. "
Organizational skills. Another crucial skill for a business development associate to carry out their responsibilities is "organizational skills." A big part of what business development associates relies on this skill, since "advertising, promotions, and marketing managers must manage their time and budget efficiently while directing and motivating staff members." How this skill relates to business development associate duties can be seen in an example from a business development associate resume snippet: "participated in local and national marketing events such as seminars, trade shows, organizational events, etc. "
The three companies that hire the most business development associates are:
- Oracle127 business development associates jobs
- Alera Group103 business development associates jobs
- Iron Mountain94 business development associates jobs
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Compare different business development associates
Business development associate vs. Operations associate
An operations associate is responsible for performing administrative and clerical tasks to support the organization's daily operations. An operations associate must have excellent organizational skills to perform various duties for different business functions under the supervision of an operations manager. Operations associates respond to clients' inquiries and concerns, prepare meeting reports, schedule appointments, assisting on payroll release, update employees' information on the database, process contract agreements, and help the senior management to identify business opportunities that would generate revenues.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, business development associate responsibilities require skills like "project management," "market research," "lead generation," and "sales process." Meanwhile a typical operations associate has skills in areas such as "sales floor," "basic math," "portfolio," and "work ethic." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, operations associates reach lower levels of education than business development associates. Operations associates are 5.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Business development associate vs. Business advisor
Business Advisors are consultants responsible for implementing business strategies to improve financial and operational efficiency. They are involved in preparing financial budgets, recommending a change in the operational process, identifying new business opportunities, evaluating a marketing strategy, and reviewing supplier and labor contracts. Business advisors also help to manage risk by performing risk analysis and consumer behavioral analysis. They are involved in report preparation and work to maintain open communication with different departments to implement change.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real business development associate resumes. While business development associate responsibilities can utilize skills like "powerpoint," "lead generation," "account management," and "customer satisfaction," business advisors use skills like "business operations," "strong analytical," "healthcare," and "human resources."
Business advisors earn a higher average salary than business development associates. But business advisors earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $92,206. Additionally, business development associates earn the highest salaries in the automotive with average pay of $80,697 annually.business advisors earn higher levels of education than business development associates in general. They're 5.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Business development associate vs. Business specialist
A business specialist's role is to perform research and analysis to determine the company's strengths and weaknesses, aiming to improve and develop areas for optimal performance. Their responsibilities revolve around coordinating with different departments to gather relevant data, identifying new opportunities and ways to meet clients' needs, devising strategies and programs for profit growth, and developing new processes for business efficiency. Furthermore, it is essential to provide corrective measures on various issues and concerns, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a business development associate is likely to be skilled in "project management," "market research," "lead generation," and "sales process," while a typical business specialist is skilled in "patients," "product knowledge," "power bi," and "cycle management."
Business specialists typically earn similar educational levels compared to business development associates. Specifically, they're 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Business development associate vs. Vice president, business development
A vice president of business development is an individual who leads in the execution of business plans and provides new business strategies for an organization. Vice presidents of business development closely work with a team of salespeople, management, and lower-level employees to secure contracts with new customers and manage ongoing agreements. They often travel to participate in business conferences and meetings with vendors and suppliers. Vice presidents of business development must also possess a bachelor's degree in business administration or marketing.
Types of business development associate
Updated January 8, 2025
