What is a Development Manager?

Are you looking for a career where development comes with the title? If you have a passion to be the best, enjoy building relationships, and thinking of strategic ways to do things, then the development manager could be the start of a rewarding new career for you. In general, Development Managers are high-level professionals that steer their companies in the right direction to increase business and revenue. This is the profession that offers you a high earning potential and a fast-paced work environment. In this role, you can expect to earn a median annual salary of $108,290, which is significantly higher than the $33,840 median annual salary that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports for all occupations.

Working as a development manager, you'll be in charge of developing business solutions and helping your company grow. The primary objective of your job as a development manager is to bring on board the new customers, in addition to this, you'll identify, plan, and lead activities to further the development of your company or organization. In this position, your role is likely a strategic opportunist who'll lead company growth both internally and externally. Since development managers are needed in almost every sector, you'll get the opportunity to work in a wide range of businesses, from accountancy to recruitment and from education to manufacturing firms, you can get employed in all types of businesses and organizations. You'll usually work 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, though on occasion you may have to work longer to meet a project deadline or when attending a conference or event. Working as a development manager, you may have part-time and flexible working opportunities too. Typically, you'll work in an indoor office setting but may travel frequently for face-to-face meetings with customers and new clients.

One of the best things about the development manager role is that it doesn't set any entry requirements - there are several routes you could take to help you pursue this career. You could complete a university or college course, an apprenticeship, or apply directly to an employer's work. Most employers look for applicants with previous experience in sales, business management, or marketing. In terms of personality traits, employers generally look for people who are articulate, polished, self-motivated, and professional, who have a knack for negotiation, strategic thinking, and good business sense. Above all other benefits of the development manager career is its financial rewards, which means you'll get bonus-related pay in this position. As you'll be the driving force behind generating new partnerships and contacts for your company, you'll be paid large bonuses, sometimes matching your annual salary. Being a senior development analyst, you may get additional benefits, such as health insurance, pension, vacation, or sick time. The advantages of becoming a development manager are countless - this is the most competitive and rewarding post that brings plenty of flexibility and benefits with professional and financial stability. This is the position, where you'll enjoy the satisfaction of expanding business opportunities and boosting profits. Here you'll get unlimited chances of progression as the more experience and credibility you gain over time in the development manager role, the more you potentially make.