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What is an international business development manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Ahmad Asady

An international business development manager takes care of a business's expansion into international markets. They find opportunities for the business to expand by researching market trends and developing partnerships with key international partners. The international business development manager is an expert salesperson that knows how to pitch their business to potential clients and negotiate favorable terms. They also take care of administrative tasks such as tracking financial transactions and market databases using tools such as Salesforce. An excellent international business development manager has strong interpersonal skills, the creativity to come up with innovative business plans, and international experience in order to understand foreign markets and business norms.

Many companies prefer that their international business development manager has a master's degree in business or a similar field. However, many international business development managers are able to prove that they have the necessary expertise with only a bachelor's degree.

International business development managers also need several years of experience working in business development and sales. Once they're qualified, they can earn an average salary of $84,910 a year.

What general advice would you give to an international business development manager?

Ahmad Asady

Assistant Professor of Management Faculty Scholar, Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth, North Dakota State University

The role of a Marketing professional is as rewarding as it is demanding. On one hand, it offers the chance to unleash creativity, see the direct impact of your work, and enjoy a variety of experiences across different projects and industries. On the other hand, it comes with its fair share of challenges, such as the pressure to perform under tight deadlines and budgets, the constant need to stay ahead in a fast-evolving field, and the stress of quantifying the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. Despite these challenges, the role remains appealing for those drawn to a career that demands both strategic thinking and creative innovation, underscored by the powerful tool of persuasion to shape consumer behavior and drive business success.
ScoreInternational Business Development ManagerUS Average
Salary
7.5

Avg. Salary $97,396

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.5

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.23%

Asian 8.15%

Black or African American 3.04%

Hispanic or Latino 8.67%

Unknown 5.32%

White 74.58%

Gender

female 25.13%

male 74.87%

Age - 38
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 38
Stress level
7.5

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
9.0

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.5

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

International business development manager career paths

Key steps to become an international business development manager

  1. Explore international business development manager education requirements

    Most common international business development manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    67.7 %

    Master's

    24.0 %

    Associate

    4.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific international business development manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Logistics14.54%
    International Business Development11.96%
    Market Trends9.95%
    International Markets4.94%
    Sales Strategy4.12%
  3. Complete relevant international business development manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New international business development managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an international business development manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real international business development manager resumes.
  4. Research international business development manager duties and responsibilities

    • Lead centralized, electronic referral center coordinating post-acute service needs of patients discharging from multiple acute facilities in Arizona region.
    • Create a network in UK, Germany, Sweden, France and Norway.
    • Lead centralized, electronic referral center coordinating post-acute service needs of patients discharging from multiple acute facilities in Arizona region.
    • Design marketing strategies to introduce patent security technology to emerging economies in the EMEA regions.
  5. Prepare your international business development manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your international business development manager resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an international business development manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable international business development manager resume templates

    Build a professional international business development manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your international business development manager resume.
    International Business Development Manager Resume
    International Business Development Manager Resume
    International Business Development Manager Resume
    International Business Development Manager Resume
    International Business Development Manager Resume
    International Business Development Manager Resume
    International Business Development Manager Resume
    International Business Development Manager Resume
    International Business Development Manager Resume
  6. Apply for international business development manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an international business development manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first international business development manager job

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Average international business development manager salary

The average international business development manager salary in the United States is $97,396 per year or $47 per hour. International business development manager salaries range between $61,000 and $155,000 per year.

Average international business development manager salary
$97,396 Yearly
$46.83 hourly

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How do international business development managers rate their job?

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Based on 1 ratings

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International business development manager reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2023
Pros

Rule of thumb with international travel is be ready for serious jet-lag!

Cons

rule of thumb with international travel is to have jet-lag non-stop!


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2019
Pros

I worked professionally in 7 countries. I speak fluently 4 languages and speak well another 4. Moreover, I love Sales.

Cons

Politics, toxic work environment, having to work with real sob.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2019
Pros

The opportunity to be in touch with people from different countries since I speak 8 languages, and I am an Engineer.

Cons

Politics, bad organizational climate.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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