What does a market development specialist do?
A market development specialist works on different marketing programs and projects to secure sales and premium goals. They develop and execute training strategies and programs, perform market research and analyses to find business opportunities, study the consumers and competitors, and create sales pitches ideal for field operations. They may also reach out directly to clients by calls, emails, or appointments, offer products and services, and establish positive relationships through efficient services. Additionally, a market development specialist oversees every marketing project's progress, producing reports for managers regularly.
Market development specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real market development specialist resumes:
- Manage all negotiations of catalog advertising for reseller channel, including proofing and approving placement of ads.
- Conduct keyword research and selection for pay-per-click campaigns and SEO projects.
- Provide ongoing support of all SEO initiatives including reporting, analysis and optimization recommendations.
- Maximize equipment productivity by ensuring proper placement and usage by developing working relationship with suppliers, distributors and their sales force.
- Strengthen cross-selling opportunities by cultivating, building, and maintaining relationships with clients across different business channels.
Market development specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 21% of Market Development Specialists are proficient in Market Development, Healthcare, and Heart Failure. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Market Development Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Market Development, 21%
Directed application development and CAD/CAE engineers and market development managers developing the next generation plastic door panels.
- Healthcare, 15%
Increased product prescriptions by developing 5 consumer-friendly presentations that were highly regarded by physicians and healthcare professionals to educate patients.
- Heart Failure, 8%
Participated in strategic team that brainstormed new product development initiatives and evaluated competitive landscape and market impact for heart failure.
- Sales Growth, 7%
Achieved sales growth, improving profitability during difficult reorganizing of the distribution system.
- Trade Shows, 6%
Traveled to several trade shows and events nationwide promoting AutoMercado.com.
- Customer Events, 4%
Developed and executed high-profile customer events, e.g.
"market development," "healthcare," and "heart failure" are among the most common skills that market development specialists use at work. You can find even more market development specialist responsibilities below, including:
Detail oriented. The most essential soft skill for a market development specialist to carry out their responsibilities is detail oriented. This skill is important for the role because "market research analysts must pay attention to minutiae to evaluate data." Additionally, a market development specialist resume shows how their duties depend on detail oriented: "merchandised services to delivery pos, collateral and products to carrier locations along with compliance verification and competitive details. "
Analytical skills. Many market development specialist duties rely on analytical skills. "market research analysts must evaluate large amounts of data and information related to market conditions.," so a market development specialist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways market development specialist responsibilities rely on analytical skills: "market development: research market to aid in the development of a new on line gas analyzer instrument. "
Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of market development specialists is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday market development specialist duties, as "market research analysts must be able to clearly convey information when gathering material, interpreting data, and presenting results to clients." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "developed and executed market segmentation, product positioning, new product development, sales training and marketing communication plans. "
The three companies that hire the most market development specialists are:
- Land O'Lakes43 market development specialists jobs
- Thermo Fisher Scientific20 market development specialists jobs
- KPMG LLP7 market development specialists jobs
Compare different market development specialists
Market development specialist vs. Digital marketing consultant
A digital marketing consultant specializes in developing marketing strategies for a company's products and services, aiming to expand customer engagement and brand awareness through digital media. Their responsibilities revolve around performing research and analysis to identify the marketing trends and opportunities, recommending marketing techniques and plans through reports and presentations, and producing cost estimates for clients. A digital marketing consultant may also perform risk assessment, identify consumer targets, and assist clients in various online campaigns and projects.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a market development specialist are more likely to require skills like "market development," "healthcare," "heart failure," and "sales growth." On the other hand, a job as a digital marketing consultant requires skills like "digital marketing," "social media marketing," "crm," and "email marketing." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Digital marketing consultants earn the highest salaries when working in the manufacturing industry, with an average yearly salary of $73,960. On the other hand, market development specialists are paid more in the finance industry with an average salary of $94,429.On average, digital marketing consultants reach similar levels of education than market development specialists. Digital marketing consultants are 0.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Market development specialist vs. Marketer
A marketer specializes in performing research and analysis to identify marketing opportunities and client needs. They primarily devise strategies to secure sales, such as promotions, discounts, calls and correspondence, campaigns, and walk-in recommendations. There are also instances when a marketer must collaborate with different teams, especially when working on marketing campaigns and projects. Furthermore, a marketer may participate in managing and overseeing a company's social media activities to boost brand awareness, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that market development specialist responsibilities requires skills like "market development," "healthcare," "heart failure," and "sales growth." But a marketer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "digital marketing," "community events," "search engine marketing," and "business relationships."
Marketers may earn a lower salary than market development specialists, but marketers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $55,524. On the other hand, market development specialists receive higher pay in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $94,429.marketers earn lower levels of education than market development specialists in general. They're 6.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for market development specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Director, College of Business Internship Program, Arkansas State University
Market development specialist vs. Marketing consultant
A marketing consultant is responsible for utilizing their extensive retail expertise to develop strategies on how to strengthen client base and achieve better sales. Furthermore, a marketing consultant must perform research and analysis to determine opportunities for financial gains, devise plans to improve client satisfaction, assess the competition, look out for any risks, and develop its brand and image. They should also ensure that all steps taken adhere to the policies and regulations of the organization.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, market development specialists are more likely to have skills like "market development," "healthcare," "heart failure," and "sales growth." But a marketing consultant is more likely to have skills like "customer service," "web content," "media sales," and "digital marketing."
Marketing consultants make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $93,209. On the other hand, market development specialists are paid the highest salary in the finance industry, with average annual pay of $94,429.Most marketing consultants achieve a similar degree level compared to market development specialists. For example, they're 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Market development specialist vs. Product specialist/sales specialist
A product specialist/sales specialist is responsible for developing sales strategies, ensuring to reach sales targets and customer satisfaction. They typically offer products and services to walk-in clients or reach out to them through calls or correspondence, discuss product specifications, answer inquiries, conduct demonstrations, process payments, and handle issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, a product specialist/ sales specialist must conduct research and analysis to identify new marketing opportunities, develop business plans, and plan sales events in adherence to the company's policies and regulations, including its vision and mission.
Types of market development specialist
Updated January 8, 2025