What does a Head Of Business Development do?
A head of business development is responsible for monitoring the company's overall business operations and client transactions. Heads of business development coordinate with clients for their requirements and specifications and develop the team to handle the project management operations. They also handle the budget and resource allocations and ensure that the team meets the deadline and high-quality deliverables on time. Ahead of business development must be regularly updated with the current market trends to identify opportunities that would generate more revenue resources for the business.
Head of business development responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real head of business development resumes:
- Develop the company's online presence through website and Facebook that lead to business expansion to markets of UK, Denmark.
- Implement and customize CRM database used to manage all development activities.
- Lead and manage large RFP responses to ensure corporate objectives for profitability, sustainability, and operational delivery objectives are meet.
- Hire a top tier SQL developer for data warehouse and reporting activities.
- Plan and maintain company presence on forums and social networks, including Facebook.
- Initiate project for upgrading CRM and re-design of flow of communication between cross-functional teams.
- Create a comprehensive educational PowerPoint presentation utilize to train other team members and resellers about products and services.
- Lead BD and capture efforts aim at a new DoD acquisition client.
- Spearhead USMR's overall marketing strategy, online presence / SEO, and client development.
- Analyze brand position within a specific category and overhaul SEO.
- Collaborate with SVP in quality control and reduction of rework strategy; eliminating waste and streamlining productivity.
Head of business development skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Heads Of Business Development are proficient in Cloud, C++, and Project Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Creativity.
We break down the percentage of Heads Of Business Development that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Cloud, 7%
Used RESTful architecture for cloud computing services.
- C++, 5%
Managed development of C++ pricing library based on proprietary algorithms.
- Project Management, 5%
Spearheaded new project management framework, combining industry-standard techniques with bespoke innovations to achieve greater efficiency/transparency in the development process.
- Cloud Computing, 5%
Developed business plan and revenue models to enable and support cloud computing strategic initiative.
- R, 5%
Integrated 11 data systems into one analytic geographic information system using Perl, R, and VBA.
- HR, 4%
Managed sales and HR operations and oversaw Healthy Families Program engaging 15,000-25,000 participants through customized letters outlining benefit packages.
Common skills that a head of business development uses to do their job include "cloud," "c++," and "project management." You can find details on the most important head of business development responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a head of business development 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 head of business development resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "direct analytical method development and validation to support formulation development and fda filings. "
Communication skills. Many head of business development duties rely on communication skills. "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," so a head of business development will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways head of business development responsibilities rely on communication skills: "initiated project for upgrading crm and re-design of flow of communication between cross-functional teams. "
Creativity. This is an important skill for heads of business development to perform their duties. For an example of how head of business development responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "advertising, promotions, and marketing managers must be able to generate new and imaginative ideas." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a head of business development: "received formal promotion to head of product development, managing a creative team of 3 subordinates. ".
Interpersonal skills. head of business development responsibilities often require "interpersonal skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "managers must deal with a range of people in different roles, both inside and outside the organization." This resume example shows what heads of business development do with interpersonal skills on a typical day: "traveled the western u.s. to develop and enhance prospect and client relationships using strong client-facing and interpersonal skills. "
Organizational skills. A commonly-found skill in head of business development job descriptions, "organizational skills" is essential to what heads of business development do. Head of business development responsibilities rely on this skill because "advertising, promotions, and marketing managers must manage their time and budget efficiently while directing and motivating staff members." You can also see how head of business development duties rely on organizational skills in this resume example: "assessed the effects of potential expansion on divisional and organizational objectives, with roi accountability. "
The three companies that hire the most head of business developments are:
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Head of business development vs. Business partner
A business partner is an individual who is involved in a legal business partnership with other individuals to manage a business as co-owners. Business partners invest their money into the business, and each partner benefits from any profits and sustains part of any losses. They must file with the state in which they do business and are governed mostly by state laws. Business partners can also be either liable or not for the actions taken by the company.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between heads of business development and business partner. For instance, head of business development responsibilities require skills such as "cloud," "c++," "c #," and "cloud computing." Whereas a business partner is skilled in "analytics," "customer service," "human resources," and "performance management." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Business partners tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $94,676. In contrast, heads of business development make the biggest average salary, $123,447, in the telecommunication industry.business partners tend to reach lower levels of education than heads of business development. In fact, business partners are 7.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Head of business development vs. Development manager
A development manager is responsible for assisting existing clients or potential clients of the services they need. A development manager serves as the initial point of contact for the clients to answer their inquiries and concerns before proceeding with a contract. Development managers usually arrange meetings with clients, analyze business opportunities, improve marketing initiatives to attract clients, research the industry's latest trends, create proposals, and assist in training new staff members. A development manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills to handle staff performance and build professional relationships with clients.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that head of business development responsibilities requires skills like "cloud," "cloud computing," "shared services," and "kpis." But a development manager might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "customer service," "patients," "java," and "database."
Development managers may earn a lower salary than heads of business development, but development managers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $123,452. On the other hand, heads of business development receive higher pay in the telecommunication industry, where they earn an average salary of $123,447.development managers earn lower levels of education than heads of business development in general. They're 7.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Head of business development vs. Head of sales
The head of sales is primarily responsible for overseeing the sales performance of a company and devising strategies to optimize practices. Their responsibilities typically revolve around monitoring the progress of every sales effort, setting objectives and deadlines, performing research and analysis to identify sales opportunities, and coordinating with different departments to improve procedures and reach sales targets. Furthermore, as the head of sales, it is essential to lead and encourage the workforce, 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 head of business development is likely to be skilled in "cloud," "c++," "c #," and "project management," while a typical head of sales is skilled in "sales organization," "product knowledge," "sales operations," and "sales process."
Heads of sales make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $189,378. On the other hand, heads of business development are paid the highest salary in the telecommunication industry, with average annual pay of $123,447.When it comes to education, heads of sales tend to earn lower degree levels compared to heads of business development. In fact, they're 11.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 3.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Head of business development vs. Business leader
Business Leaders are considered trailblazers in their field. They are innovative thinkers who often introduce solutions to their industry's challenges. They inspire people pursuing careers in their field and even those outside the industry to strive harder and create their paths to success. Employees often look up to Business Leaders, which is why they must be motivating. They also oversee their business operations and often set long-term targets and strategies to achieve these targets. They think outside the box to set their business apart from their competitors.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between heads of business development and business leaders, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a head of business development might have more use for skills like "cloud," "c++," "c #," and "shared services." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of business leaders require skills like "analytics," "customer service," "lean six sigma," and "continuous improvement. "
Business leaders enjoy the best pay in the pharmaceutical industry, with an average salary of $128,816. For comparison, heads of business development earn the highest salary in the telecommunication industry.In general, business leaders hold similar degree levels compared to heads of business development. Business leaders are 4.8% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 3.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of head of business development
Updated January 8, 2025